Face Masks & Respirators

This text is machine translated.

Respiratory protection: Protection against dust, gases

And steam

Face masks ensure safety at the workplace and at home. They filter particulate or gaseous pollutants as well as harmful vapors from the breathing air. The masks prevent the inhalation of dust, smoke and fog. Here in the Respiratory Protection Shop you will find the right products for your needs.

Mouth protection: Safety for your respiratory tract
When is respiratory protection required?
How do respirators work?
What types of mouthguard are there?
Disposable or reusable respirator?
In this way you can find the right mouth protection
What was the meaning of the colored marks on breathing filters?

Mouth protection: Safety for your respiratory tract

Whether building, building renovation, mold removal, metal processing, model and ship building, painting, surface finishing, bonding, laboratory or handling of chemicals, plant protection products and herbicides: With the appropriate respiratory protection you make an active contribution to the protection of your health.

By wearing a respirator, you avoid negative consequences of your work. Whenever you or your employees are at risk from inhaling hazardous or harmful substances – the respiratory toxins – you should wear respiratory protection that is appropriate to the particular level of risk.

There are respirators against particles (aerosols) that are transported in the air as suspended matter. Other models protect you from gases and vapors. The most well-known manufacturers of respiratory protection products include 3M, Avit, B-SAFETY, Dräger, EKASTU Safety, L+D Upixx, Moldex and uvex.

When is respiratory protection required?

Modern respiratory protection masks are indispensable for occupational safety and health. As well as protective gloves, goggles and safety shoes, they are part of personal protective equipment (PPE) for professional and commercial use.
In industry, fire services and rescue, very specific forms of respiratory protection are often prescribed, which are regulated by regulations.

DIY enthusiasts, hobbyists, gardeners, builders and craftsmen are also faced with the challenge of filtering out the finest particles or gases from the ambient air before they enter the respiratory tract.
In the private sector, everyone is responsible for their own health, but should protect themselves from the smallest particles or gases and vapors when working with solvents, paints, grinding or polishing.
You can also protect your health with respiratory protection when removing mold and asbestos. Therefore, respirators are a personal protective device in every well-equipped workshop.

How do respirators work?

Respiratory protection is a set of devices that protect people from threatening substances when inhaled.
These can be different substances, organisms, particles or gases that occur in different work or in different environments. You can choose from different masks and filters to filter out the relevant substances. Filter media include multi-layer special fabrics, activated carbon or chemical substances.

Filtering respiratory protection devices allow purified air to flow into the mask through the filter and thus function as a function of circulating air.
Self-contained respirators use a separate air supply. They isolate the respirator carrier from the surrounding air. Gases and vapors thus have no chance of entering the inside of the mask.

Contemporary respiratory protection means maximum protection and maximum comfort.
The masks are light and comfortable – the resistance to breathing is low. A good mask restricts the wearer as little as possible and offers maximum protection against the dangers in the breathing air from which the mask is to protect.

What types of respiratory protection are there?

Respirators – also known as gas masks in colloquial terms – are already visually different in their design. The most famous variants are fine dust masks, half masks and full masks.

Dust Masks

Fine dust masks (disposable half masks) are particle-filtering half masks with low weight. They protect the respiratory tract from harmful solid particles caused by dust, fine dust, fog and other foreign bodies, for example during grinding and sawing or the removal of mold. Fine dust masks are easy to recognize by their traditional fit over the mouth and nose and usually two elastic rubber bands. The mask and the filter medium are inseparably combined.

The masks are intended for single use and are then usually disposed of in household waste. They are available in different protection classes with or without exhalation valve and are also suitable for DIY enthusiasts.

The protection class of fine dust masks is specified in levels FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3. The higher the number, the better the mask protects you. Dust masks do not act against gases and vapors.

Special feature of models with exhalation valve: The used air is more easily expelled through the valve.

Half masks

Reusable respirators that cover the mouth and nose are called half masks. In contrast to fine dust masks, half-masks with changeable filters are also available as models against gases and vapors. Half masks with side-mounted filters usually have a better weight distribution than a half mask with frontal filter.

Full masks

Respirator masks are gas masks for professionals and offer the highest degree of protection – more than filtering half masks due to their design. The masks cover a large part of the face with a transparent protective screen and a material close to the skin. Thanks to the visor, the eyes are protected against flying particles or irritant substances and gases at the same time. The replaceable breathing protection filter is mounted on the housing.

The breathing resistance of a full mask or gas mask is higher than the thin fine dust mask, but manufacturers often integrate special techniques that minimize resistance when breathing.

Disposable or reusable respirator?

There are two basic types of masks for your respiratory tract: Disposable mask and reusable mask.

Reusable masks are reusable models with hohem and good ventilation, which you can use again and again. The masks are equipped with an exchangeable breathing protection filter, which is offered in many protection classes and protection levels. This allows you to select the appropriate respiratory protection filter for each work. The filter can be attached easily via a screw or bayonet lock.

Reusable respiratory protection features an ergonomic shape, robust, tight-fitting construction with soft padding and a large field of view. Reusable masks are used mainly in industry and in the trade. Due to their many good wearing properties, they are also a very good choice for DIY enthusiasts.

Disposable respirators are intended for single use . One of the most famous disposable masks is the fine dust masks. They are economical to buy and are characterized by compact dimensions and a low weight. Disposable respirators must be provided individually and in benefit packs.

Respiratory protection filters are disposable

Respiratory protection filters for breathing masks and full masks wear or tear chemically when used by fine dust, vapors and smoke. They are consumables and therefore, like fine dust masks, are one of the disposable items. After use, the filters are discarded. Ensure that the filter is changed in time. It is best to stock up on the supplies you need

In this way you can find the right mouth protection

Choosing a respirator that is right for your needs is often very easy. Refer to the typical hazardous substances that you are exposed to during the planned activity or the respective application area. Which application requires respiratory protection? And what are the concentrations in relation to the valid limit values? It is also important to know the state of the hazardous substances: Gaseous, particulate or as a mixture?

With knowledge of the hazardous substances involved and, if necessary, the workplace specifications, it is easy to select the correct mask. In the job, hazardous substances usually have fixed occupational exposure limits, such as those specified by the professional associations – follow these guidelines.

The following table is a guide and provides guidance on how to select respiratory protection:

Activity	Risks	Recommended mask type
Processing of molten metal	Fine dust and metal smoke	DUST MASK FFP2 D, FFP2-OV, FFP3 D.
Welding	Fine dust and metal smoke	DUST MASK FFP2 D, FFP2-OV, FFP3 D.
Solder	Fine dust and metal smoke	DUST MASK FFP2 D, FFP2-OV, FFP3 D.
degrease;	Solvent vapors	Half or full mask with A filter or full mask with AX filter
Machine operation	Oil mist	FINE DUST MASK FFP2 D, FFP3
Grinding, fine grinding, polishing	Fine dust	FINE DUST MASK FFP1, FFP2, FFP3
Paint application with brush	Solvent vapors below limit	DUST MASK FFP2 D-OV
Spray/spray color	Solvent vapors and paint mist	FFA2 P3 color splash mask
Grind down the color	Fine dust	FINE DUST MASK FFP1, FFP2, FFP3
Paint stripping	Solvent vapors	Half mask with A filter, ABEK filter or full mask with A or AX filter
Application of adhesives	Solvent vapors	Half mask with A filter or full mask with A or AX filter

What was the meaning of the colored marks on breathing filters?

The manufacturers of gas filters and combination models (gas and combination filters) use colors and letters to identify the scope of their respiratory protection filters. If a filter protects against several substances, a combination of the corresponding letters and colors can be found on the product. Refer to the following letters and color markings:

A / Brown: Models with the letter A and the color brown protect you from organic gases and vapors, such as petrol, thinner or turpentine.

AX / Brown: The letter duo AX is associated with a green marking for protection against low-boiling organic compounds.

B / Gray: Class B filters are gray and protect against inorganic gases and vapors such as chlorine.

E / Yellow: The letter E and the color yellow represent acid gases and vapors such as sulfur dioxide.

K / Green: Breathing filters labeled in this way reduce ammonia and organic amines.

P / White: The letter P and the color white are used to mark particle filters.

Hg / Red: To protect against mercury, you need a filter with Hg-mark and a red color marking.

Observe filter durability

Respiratory protection filters have a limited service life and storage time after their manufacture. Until when you can use a filter, the expiration date is printed on the filter and/or filter housing packaging. Do not use the product on respirators beyond the expiration date. The materials used for filtering can lose their protective effect over time. Therefore, regularly check the durability of the filters in your inventory and ensure that they are replaced in good time.

After opening the original packaging, gas filters may be used for a maximum of 6 months, regardless of the expiry date stated.

This text is machine translated. Respiratory protection: Protection against dust, gases And steam Face masks ensure safety at the workplace and at home. They filter particulate or gaseous pollutants as well as harmful vapors from the ...