How does a PAPR respirator work?

Powered air purifying respirator helmets have quite a few benefits when it comes to protecting your lungs, face and head, but did you know the biggest benefits come from wearing your helmet ALL DAY? Ok, so maybe not at lunch time, but all day while you're in the workshop. Read on and we'll tell you how...

Like other types of respiratory protective equipment, powered air purifying respirators (PAPR) protect the wearer from inhaling dust, smoke, fumes, mists, gases, sprays, vapors, chemicals, aerosols and other airborne contaminants that are likely to be in a metal fabrication workshop. These airborne contaminants can cause serious short and long term health problems, making PAPR's a very important piece of safety equipment.

Unlike your standard full or half-face respirators which rely on negative pressure to filter out contaminants as you breathe, an air-fed respirator uses positive pressure to keep the nasties away while also providing a stream of cool, clean air to the wearer. Here's how it works:

1. The blower unit contains changeable filters to block out contaminants.
2. Powered by a battery, the unit filters air being sucked in, and pushes the clean air up through a hose and into the helmet.
3. The blower unit is usually attached to a belt to be worn around the users waist. A good PAPR system will also include straps which can be attached and worn like a backpack to better balance the weight of the system.
4. The helmet is loose fitting, meaning it does not require a tight seal around the face to keep out contaminants. A good positive pressure helmet should provide comfortable headgear that can be adjusted for a secure fit so it is not wobbling around during use.
5. The filtered clean air is pushed into the helmet, providing the wearer with fresh, cool air which enables easier breathing, and reduces heat and moisture build up.
6. Positive pressure works to keep airborne contaminants out of the helmet. With a loose seal around the neck of the helmet, and clean air being pushed in, there is more pressure inside the helmet than out. This means that particles and contaminants in the air will be pushed away from any potential entry points.

Find out more about Tecmen's FreFlow PAPR here

Here's a few of the benefits users of a PAPR respirator find:

• Keeps workers safe, and WorkSafe happy - filters out dangerous air-born particles and contaminants using positive pressure, and a good helmet will be safety standard compliant.
• Supplies clean, cool air drastically reducing issues with breathing resistance, heat and mositure build-up.
• Loose fitting - so no need for a tight seal or fit testing,so you don't have to worry about things like facial hair, eyewear, or peircings.
• All day comfort - the wearer should be able to wear a welding helmet with PAPR comfortably all day, regardless of changing tasks. This reduces the risk of breathing in contaminants if the helmet was to be taken on and off.
• Whole head protection - wearing the helmet will also protect the wearer's face, head and neck from flying particles, welding flashes and contaminants that can irritate eyes.

Read more about the Tecmen TM1000 + PAPR here