Types of Face Mask Respirators 

Negative Pressure 

Negative pressure respirators rely on the wearer to draw air through the cartridge or filter. These respirators can be either reusable or disposable. Wearers must perform seal checks for tight-fitting negative pressure respirators. 

Among the types of negative pressure respirators include filtering facepiece/disposable respirators, reusable respirators, half-face respirators, and full-face respirators. 

Positive Pressure 

 Positive pressure respirators are battery-operated—pulling air through the cartridge or filter. Positive pressure units come in reusable forms. Tight-fitting positive pressure respirators must be fit-tested.

Loose-fitting respirators usually have a hood or helmet and do not require fit testing.

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) 

Classified as a positive pressure respirator, SCBA is a respiratory system that is a portable ready supply of safe breathing air that is designed for use in unknown atmospheric conditions or immediate danger to life or health (IDLH). 

Selecting Filters and Cartridges 

The type of filter or cartridge is dependent on the level of protection that a workplace requires. According to AS/NZS 1715, there are three classes of particulate filters: 

• Class P1 particulate filters – these are used to protect against mechanically generated particulates. 
• Class P2 particulate filters – protect the worker against mechanically and thermally generated particles such as dust, mist, and metal fumes. 
• Class P3 particulate filters – protect against highly toxic materials and are used for all particulates that require high protection factors. 

SMENCO’s Respiratory Protection Solutions 

Delivering an extensive range of welding solutions, SMENCO offers respiratory protection equipment that aid in protecting workers against particulate hazards and air contaminants. 

Browse through our list of respiratory protection equipment here: 

• Swiss Air 

Swiss air is a ventilated half-mask made of flame-retardant material that covers the mouth and nose area. This TH3-certified blower breathing protection system provides respiratory protection of the highest class and ensures no passage for aerosols, smoke, particles, or viruses. With its cutting-edge breath-assisting technology and ultra-flat and light backpack design, Swiss air is the most versatile optrel respiratory protection system suited for various industries such as in trade, construction, medicine, and agriculture. 

• Crystal 2.0 PAPR  

With light transmission of 31% in bright condition (protection level 2!) welders have for the first time a practically unclouded and clear view of their working environment. This in combination with the almost perfect colour spectrum of the CLT2.0 for the first time allows welders to see what is really going on in the weld pool, and with a clarity that equates to insights into a new dimension. This is why welders describe this as an enlightenment. 

• Panoramaxx CLT PAPR

The Optrel Panoramaxx CLT PAPR Ready-to-Weld complete air package C/W E3000X ensures maximum TH3 protection. It also features a standard 18-hour battery and a highly modular breathing protection solution, as well as a welding helmet equipped with the Optrel Fadetronic and Shadetronic technology.

• Panoramaxx Quattro PAPR 

Combining the features of a great welding helmet and a respiratory protection system, the Panoramaxx Ready-to-Weld packages contain the PAPR version of the helmet with the Optrel IsoFit® headgear, e3000x blower unit, high-quality leather belt, TH3 filter and prefilter, standard 18-hour battery, connection hoses, and a fully branded Optrel hold all for storing your PPE.

 

 

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