Understanding the different types of respiratory protection can prove quite confusing if you’re not sure where to start. In this blog, we’ll highlight each class of respirator, summarise how respiratory protection is categorised and show you how Thermac can help with your protective equipment needs.
So, what are the classes of respirators? The classes of respiratory protection are split into two main categories, respirators that are non-powered and respirators that are powered. Some specific examples of the different types of respirators include:
- Filtering Facepiece Respirators
- Elastomeric Half & Full Facepiece Respirators
- Powered Air-Purifying Respirators
- Supplied-Air Respirators
- Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
- Combination Respirators
Keep reading to learn more about each type of respirator and how they can help protect you against harmful substances.
Respiratory Protection
Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is used to protect an individual from the inhalation of hazardous substances in the workplace air. A respirator uses filters to remove contaminants in the air. There are two main types of respirator:
- Non-powered respirators – rely on the wearer’s breathing to draw air through the filter.
- Powered respirators – use a motor to pass air through the filter to give a supply of clean air to the wearer.
Each type of respirator provides a different level of protection based on its design. It is therefore very important that you choose the right type of respirator for the specific exposure. To do this, you must first identify all respiratory hazards in your environment and the amount of exposure.
On top of this, each type of respirator generally tends to have an assigned protection factor (APF). This indicates the level of protection you can expect to receive from the respirator. However, It’s important to remember that respiratory protection should only be used after you have taken all other reasonably practical measures to prevent or control exposure. Now that you know what respiratory protective equipment is, we’ll delve into the different types of respirator and how they are used.
Different Types of Respirators
Here is a table that outlines the different types of respiratory protection, their purpose, benefits and limitations.
| Type of Respirator | Key attributes | Benefits | Limitations |
| Filtering Facepiece Respirators | Disposable half facepiece respirators that filter out particles such as dust, mists and fumes. | Low costMinimal care & maintenance | Only fit with certain safety glassesDo not provide protection against gases and vapours and some hazardous materials |
| Elastomeric Half Facepiece Respirators | Covers the nose and mouth to provide protection against gases, vapours or particles. | Low costReusableReplaceable filters | Wearer must be clean shavenStorage and cleaning required.0 |
| Elastomeric Full Facepiece Respirators | Covers the entire face to provide maximum protection. | Eye protectionReusable Replaceable filters | Heavier and less comfortable for the wearer |
| Powered Air-Purifying Respirators | Has a battery-powered blower that pulls air through attached filters. Protects against gases, vapours or particles. | Wide variety of modelsEye/face protectionLow breathing burdenIncreased comfort | Storage, cleaning and maintenance requiredCare, charging and life of PAPR batteriesWeight and size |
| Supplied-Air Respirators | Connected to a separate source that supplies clean suppressed air through a hose. | Lightweight Can be used while working long hours | Do not protect skin Movement restricted by air-line hose (hose can get pinched, twisted etc.) |
| Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus | Used for entry into or escape from extremely dangerous environments. Contain their own breathing air supply. | Ease of mobilityProtects against many dangerous substances (toxic gases, dust, contaminants) | Limited amount of air Weight |
| Combination Respirators | Can be either a supplied-air respirator or supplied-air purifying respirator. | Offers protection using both a supplied-air hose and an air-purifying component. | Cannot be used in extremely dangerous environments |
Why is Respiratory Protection So Important?
Respiratory protection is crucial, particularly in the construction industry because it minimises employees exposure to hazardous materials and substances such as Asbestos, Silica and Wood Dust. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), about 12,000 people die from lung disease each year which is linked to past exposures at work. This is why it is vital that workers are aware of the different types of respiratory equipment and which type to use for specific work.
Remember, RPE can only protect the wearer when it’s used, stored and maintained correctly.
Thermac’s Respirators and Mask Servicing
Here at Thermac, we are proud to specialise in Face Fit Testing. Our technicians, with fit2fit accreditations and a wealth of experience and training will offer the very highest levels of service on all types of respirators.
Our full service includes:
- Complete strip down and manual clean prior to testing
- Perishable parts replaced at each service
- Inward leakage test on mask
- Motor and battery electrical tests
- Estimate for repair or replacement parts
- Service and test certificate issued
We also offer a ‘Respirator Inspection and Test’ option where we’ll carry out a 6/12 month inspection and test your respirators for any issues.
The Respirator Inspection and Test includes:
- Inspection of component parts
- Inward leakage test on Respirator
- Any damaged parts or leaks would be identified and we can then replace the relevant parts and perform a leakage test again.
- Issue of certification.
On top of these services, we have also recently developed the UK’s first truly self-contained mobile face fitting and respirator testing vehicles. This means that we can come to you to complete the Respirator Inspection and Test.
For more information about this service or to enquire about a specific respirator servicing, please contact us directly.
Respiratory Protective Equipment at Thermac
So, take a look at our respiratory protective equipment at Thermac. We have a variety of respirator kits, from powered assisted respirators and airline respirators to full and half mask respirators. We also have a wide range of disposable masks and filters to choose from.
We provide mask integrity testing, face fit training, mask maintenance training and training for general use of RPE.
Get in touch to find out how we can help with your respiratory protective equipment needs.