Respiratory Protection
Additional Information
To protect welders, safety authorities in each country have set Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) for specific fume pollutants. Unfortunately, these "upper limits" may still expose the everyday welder to certain levels of contamination. For example, if the combined OELs for a work area are 5mg/m3 or higher, you could inhale 11 grams or more of welding particles every year.*
The EN standards specifies the minimum performance requirements a product must meet. Respirators are also classified by the protection factor they provide. The protection factor of the respirator indicates how much the pollutant is reduced (or filtered from the air) before it reaches the user.
The multiple benefits of personal respiratory protection:
- Products provide nominal protection factor up to 50
- Improved worker comfort: a cool, refreshing atmosphere within the helmet
- Integrated protection
Under normal working conditions the respiratory rate is about 20 litres of air/minute. Over a working year (100%), a welder breathes in about 2.300m3 of air. Under working conditions with 5mg/m3 of welding particles in the air, a welder breathes in 11 grams of particles/year.
ESAB Air 160
The ESAB respiratory systems have been upgraded to increase the levels of comfort and safety for the welder. The Air 160 provides 160 litres of air per minute to give a more pleasant working environment. The unit only weighs 1 kg but will still withstand the toughest of environments. The unit is supplied with a P3 filter with an extraordinary filtration capacity. The battery, which have an operating capacity of 8 hours, can be charged separate from the motor unit, hence it can be utilised when working double shifts.
The Air 160 can be used together with the Eye-Tech or the Albatross helmet.
3M 7502/3 Half Mask
A 3M Breakthrough in half mask comfort and fit. Silicone mask supplied without filters. Very pliable face seal for extra comfort and good face fit. Innovative exhalation valve to decrease breathing resistance.
3M 4251 FFA1P2D
Oranganic Vapour / Particulate Resirator.
Used for organic gases and vapours as well as particulates concerning dust, mist and fume. Suitable for welding applications and maintenance work shops.
Protection against organic vapours with BP >65ºC & good warning properties (water and oil based) and particulates. Maximum use limitation for organic vapours 10 x WEL or 1000ppm, whichever is the lowest and 10 x WEL for particulates
3M 9322 Dust/Mist FFP2S
This new generation of respirators provides comfort and style without compromising performance
Extensive European field trials have proved the superiority of this range over more traditional respirators
- Three-panel design for improved comfort, fir and communication
- Reliable, effective protection against fine particulates
- 3M Cool Flow valve reduces heat build-up to offer comfortable protection, particularly in hot and humid conditions
- Individually packed, foldable design prevents contamination before use and allows easy storage
- Soft inner cover-web for greater comfort against the skin
- Even-tensioned straps relieve pressure for a comfortable and secure fit
3M 9925 Premium Welding Fume Respirator FFP2S
Specially designed to offer respiratory protection in welding operations
- Efficient particulate filter resists clogging for extended use against welding fume
- Activated carbon layer filters out Ozone generated by MIG, TIG and ARC welding operations
- 3M Cool Flow valve reduces heat build-up to offer comfortable protection
- Flame retardant, the specially treated outer-shell offers increased flame retardancy
- Welding shields, low profile design for compatibility with welding shields
Contact us for more details or to discuss any of your welding needs