Respiratory PPE: Everything you need to know is here.

Dinamitek presents the guide on respiratory PPE

Respiratory PPE, reference standard UNI EN ISO 10720:1998; UNI EN 529:2006
typologies
A. Disposable filter respirators UNI EN ISO 10720:1998; UNI EN 529:2006

CLASSIFICATION

• P1 is only intended against solid particles
• P2 and P3 are divided according to their capacity to retain both solid and liquid particles (indicated by L) or solid particles only

1. low efficiency (P1 filters - FFP1, THP 1, TMP 1 respirators) for dust and annoying fibres
2. medium efficiency for solids and liquids (P2 filters - FFP2, THP 2, TMP 2 respirators) for fine dust and harmful fumes as well as for water-based particulates, fumes and harmful mists
3. high efficiency for solids and liquids (P3 filters - FFP3, THP 3, TMP 3 respirators) for toxic and harmful fine dust as well as highly toxic fumes and mists.

categories:

• small capacity (class 1 filters)
• medium capacity (class 2 filters)
• large capacity (class 3 filters)

PPE can be recognized by the marking

• S against solid aerosols
• L against liquid aerosols
• A clogging test with carbon dust was carried out

The SL acronym is not used for FFP1 filter masks.

For example, for clearing rubble and building demolition, the most appropriate facepiece is an FFP1, while for sandblasting and welding, as well as for paint abrasion, marble cutting, parquet sanding, and fiberglass remediation, an FFP2S-classified facepiece is required, which becomes an FFP2L in the presence of harmful mists. In foundries and steelworks, for asbestos decontamination operations and when using industrial vacuum cleaners, an FFP3S facepiece is required, which becomes an FFP3SL in the presence of highly toxic mists.

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B. UNI EN ISO 10720:1998 filtering half mask; UNI EN 529:2006
The choice of filters that attach to the mask is essential to deal with environments with atmospheres polluted by gases and vapours

• FFA Brown for use against certain gases and vapours of organic compounds with boiling points above 65°C, according to the manufacturer's instructions
• FFB Grey for use against certain gases and vapours of inorganic compounds according to the manufacturer's instructions (excluding carbon monoxide)
• FFE Yellow for use against sulfur dioxide and other acid gases and vapors, according to the manufacturer's instructions
• FFK Green to be used against ammonia and organic ammonia derivatives, according to the manufacturer's instructions
• FFAX Brown These are gas and combination filters for use against organic compounds with a low boiling point (less than 65°C)
• FFSX Violet These are gas and combination filters for use against specifically indicated compounds (for example dichloromethane).

Half-mask respirators can use the following particle filters:

• P1 = low efficiency filters
• P2 = medium efficiency filters
• P3 = high-efficiency filters. For prolonged use, it is best to replace it with a ventilated device.

Filter classification

• A1 organic vapors and formaldehyde
• K1 ammonia – methylamine
• A2 organic gases and vapors
• ABE1 organic, inorganic vapours and acid gases
• ABEK1 organic vapors and gases – inorganic vapors, acid gases, and ammonia-methylamine
• HgP3 mercury and dust
• AXP3 organic vapours with a boiling point below 65 degrees Celsius and dusts for full face masks
• ABEK2P3 organic vapors and gases – inorganic vapors, acid gases, and ammonia-methylamine and dust for full face masks

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Examples of application of respiratory PPE

When exposed to dust and inert materials, the required protection class is low. The filtering facepiece is a disposable FFP1 type.
If your work exposes you to dust from demolition work and rock wool or other insulating materials are present, you should use an FFP2 filtering facepiece. When the fibers present are asbestos or rock wool, the protection requirement increases from medium to high, so a disposable FFP3 filtering facepiece should be chosen.
When switching from disposable filters to half masks with combined filters, training in the use of PPE becomes mandatory. There are multiple filters for masks and half masks, which must be used in combination to achieve the appropriate level of protection.
If exposed to vapors, gases, aerosols, fumes, and mists with a low protection class, filter combinations A1 B1 E1 K1 are used. If the protection class increases to medium, the filter combination must be adjusted, choosing A2 B2 E2 K2. For higher risks, the filters to be combined with the mask or half-mask will be A3 B3 E3 K3.

The workplace safety manager will be able to appropriately select the protection to provide for their workers. In any case, you can always contact a Dinamitek technician for advice on respiratory PPE supplies.

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