Respiratory Protection | Face masks | (RPE)

VIEW OUR RESPIRATORY PROTECTION BUYERS GUIDE HERE

Face Masks, Respirators and Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)

In the UK, the HSC sets the limits for Workplace Exposure Limits (WELS) - which is how much hazard is concentrated in the air over an 8 hour or over a 15 minute period.

Knowing your Workplace Exposure Limit, you can choose an FFP1 facemask (giving protection for 4 x WEL) or FFP2 face mask (10 WELS) or FFP3 face mask (20 WELS) protection or higher as necessary.

All our face masks or respirators meet the performance requirements of the European Standards. EN 149 is the norm for face respirators, giving particle protection.

Disposable Face Masks:

Our suppliers, such as Alpha Solway or 3M, have been pioneers in providing respiratory protection in the disposable respirator sector. We have an extensive line of disposable respirators - commonly known as face masks - that offer a full range of comfort, convenience and value.

Try out the Alpha Solway Alphamesh, one of the most innovative face masks: due to its superior fit.

Reusable Full Face Masks:

Our range of Reusable Respirators offers exceptional quality and value for money when protecting your workers against industrial gases, vapours and particulate hazards.

Reusable products include: Half masks, particulate filters, and Gas and Vapour filters.

Emergency respiratory protection:

Every fire point should have an Emergency Escape hood - prepare for the unforeseen. The S-Cap Yellow hood by MSA is a handy one-size-fits-all, smoke filter.

EUROPEAN STANDARDS FOR RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

EN136: Full face pieces

EN137: Self contained open circuit compressed air breathing apparatus

EN140: Half mask face pieces

EN141: Gas/Vapour filters

EN143: Patriculate filters

EN146: Powered respirators with hood or helmet

EN147: Powered particle filter full face masks

EN149: Filtering face piece respirators to protect against particles

EN270: Compressed air units with hood

EN371: Gas and combined filters for use against low boiling organic compounds

EN402: Escape apparatus, self contained breathing apparatus with full face mask or mouth piece assembly

EN405: Valve filtering half mask respirators (maintenance free) for gases and/or particulates

EN1146: Compressed air escape apparatus with hood

EN1835: Light duty supplied air

EN12941 Powered respirators with hood or helmet requiring low flow indicator

EN12942: Powered respirator full face masks

WHICH PROTECTION FACTOR?

FFP1 Respirators:

Protection Factor:APF4 Typical Applications: Low levels of fine dust (up to 4 x WEL) and oil or water based mists typically found during hand sanding, drilling and cutting.

FFP2 Respirators:

Protection Factor:APF10 Typical Applications: Moderate levels of fine dust (up to 10 x WEL) and oil or water based mists typically found during plastering, sanding and wood dust.

FFP3 Respirators:

Protection Factor:APF20 Typical Applications: Higher levels of fine dusts (up to 20 x WEL) and oil or water based mists typically found when handling hazardous powders in the pharmaceutical industry or work with biological agents and fibres.