Respiratory Protection Guide

Introduction to Respiratory Protection

Respiratory protection is essential when working in an atmosphere contaminated by dust, vapours, fumes or gases. Many health and safety regulations place statutory demands on employers to ensure that the necessary level of protection is provided and used.

Unlike head or foot injuries, respiratory injuries are not readily apparent in the workplace. In some cases it may not be until after workers retire that symptoms occour. It is therefore important that all staff that are, or may be at risk have access to Respiratory Protective Equipment.

To help you meet Health & Safety Executive demands for personal protection, the SCAN respiratory range offers an extensive range of disposable masks and respirators.

The Hazards

Dust
Formed by the breaking down of solid materials, normally when materials are altered. For example, sanding, cutting, grinding and brushing. In general the smaller the dust particle the greater hazard that it represents. Fibres from materials should also be treated as dusts.
Vapour
A gaseous state formed by evaporation from substances that are normally either solid or liquid at room temperature (e.g. petrol, methalated spirits), many industrial processes used in degreasing vapourise particularly quickly once heated.
Fume
Formed by the vapourisation of a solid material by the application of intense heat. Extremely fine particles are formed as the fume cools and condenses. Many processes form fume; such as smelting, pouring metals and many welding applications.
Mist
Formed by processes that involve atomisation (such as spraying, cleaning and cutting/grinding using coolants) and consist of tiny liquid droplets rather like steam in a bathroom.


Disposable Mask Protection Levels

Understanding the protection levels of our masks will ensure you have the correct product for your working environment.

Each product will have 1 of 3 protection levels.

FFP1 NR

78% Filtering Efficiency

Particles larger than 5 microns

FFP1 mask image

LOW TOXICITY

  • General dust
  • Water based spray
  • Water based paint mist

FFP2 NR

92% Filtering Efficiency

Particles between 2 & 5 microns

FFP2 mask image

LOW TO AVERAGE TOXICITY

  • Sanding of softwood
  • Hand sanding MDF
  • Ceramic tile dust
  • Cutting slabs

FFP3 NR

98% Filtering Efficiency

Particles less than 2 microns

FFP3 mask image

HIGH TOXICITY

  • Loft insulation
  • Hardwood cutting
  • MDF cutting
  • Stone cutting
  • Plastering


EN 149: Understanding the Standard

CONFORMS TO EN 149:2001 A1:2009

EN149 Filtering Face Piece for Particulates
Designed to cover the nose, mouth and chin. The construction is made of the filter material itself. To be disposed of after each period of work or 8 hour shift.

EN NumberFilter / ClassAllowable PenetrationAPFNPF
EN149FFP120%4 x OEL4
FFP26%10 x OEL12
FFP31%20 x OEL50

APF - Assigned Protection Factor
Level of respiratory protection that can be expected to be achieved in the workplace by 95% of adequately trained and supervised wearers using a properly fitted and functioning respiratory protective device.

OEL - Occupational Exposure Limit
The OEL is the 'Safety' line decided upon by the Health and Safety Executive.

NPF - Nominal Protection Factor
The potential maximum protection factor using the maximum percentage inward leakage permitted for a given standard class of respiratory protective device, expressed as a ratio: 100% / % allowable inward leakage


EN 140 & EN 143: Half Mask Respirators

CONFORMS TO EN 140

The European standard that covers the technical specifications for half masks which cover the nose, mouth and chin. They have their face piece manufactured from natural or synthetic based rubber allowing the mask the flexibility to fit the contours of the face.


CONFORMS TO EN 143

Covers particle filters. These are classified according to their filtering efficiency P1, P2 and P3. P1 filters are intended for use against solid particles only, P2 and P3 filters are subdivided according to their ability to remove both solid and liquid particles or solid particles only.

Respiratory protection selection guide

This table has been designed to help you select the correct SCAN respirator for a selection of hazards that may be encountered in the occupational area. It should not be used as the only means of selecting a respirator and it does not relieve the employer/user of their duties as described by COSHH and other Health & Safety Executive Regulations. It does not in any way override any recommendations made in the required appropriate COSHH/Risk assessment.

Minimum Respiratory Requirement to be used Disposable Dust Masks (EN 149)

Dust Sanding Fumes Cutting Vapour
Filtration Level Brick Dust General Dust Concrete Dust Plaster Dust MDF Dust-Hand Sanding Ceramic Tile Dust Loft Insulation Wood Hand Sanding-Soft Wood Hand Sanding-Hard Ferrous Metal Fumes Solvent Paint Vapour Water Based Spray Paint/Varnish Odours MDF Cutting Stone Cutting Cutting Slabs Masonry Silica Adhesives / Sealants
FFP1 iconicon 78
%
FFP1
Valve
iconicon
FFP2 iconicon92
%
FFP2
Valve
icon
FPP2
Odour Valve
icon
FFP3
Valve
iconicon 98
%
A1
Respirator
icon
P2
Respirator
icon
P3
Respirator
icon
FFP1 NR
FFP2 NR
FFP2 NR Odour
FFP3 NR
SCA PPECARTA1
SCA PPECARTP2
SCA PPECARTP3
Filtration Level (%) 78 92 98
Dust
Brick Dust
General Dust
Concrete Dust
Plaster Dust
MDF Dust - Hand Sanding
Ceramic Tile Dust
Loft Insulation
Sanding
Wood Hand Sanding - Soft
Wood Hand Sanding - Hard
Fumes
Welding Fumes
Ferrous Metal Fumes
Solvent Paint Vapour (Brush App)
Water Based Spray
Paint / Varnish Odours
Cutting
MDF Cuttting
Stone Cutting
Cutting Slabs
Masonry
Vapour
Silica
Adhesives / Sealants