3M Respiratory Protection Overview

  

 

3M Respiratory Protection Overview

 

Table of Contents

Overview of 3M Respiratory Protection Types

Respirators are classified by the type of hazard they protect against, their APF (assigned protection factor), and the specific substance(s) they’re approved for. There are other ways that you may also commonly see respirators classified as well, such as:

 

Negative-Pressure Respirators

Negative-pressure respirators rely on the wearer to pull air in through cartridges or filter. Below we highlight the options available.

3M Disposable Respirators

 3M half face respirator 3M Full Face Respirators

Disposable Respirators

Disposable respirators, also known as filtering facepieces, are used to help protect against some particulate hazards. They’re lightweight and require no maintenance since they’re discarded after use. Some examples of these are below.

Half Face Respirators

Half-face respirators cover the lower half of the face, including the nose and mouth. Either sold seperately or in a ready to go kit with storage box. Some examples of these are below. 

Full Face Respirators

Full-face respirators cover the eyes and much of the face, and can sometimes replace the need for safety glasses.                                                     

 

Positive Pressure Respirators

Positive-pressure respirators do the work of pushing air to the respirator headtop or facepiece; they can either be powered-air, using a battery-powered blower to pull air through a filter, or supplied-air, bringing clean air through a hose from a source outside of the contaminated work area (refer Appendix A, AS/NZS 1715, requirements for air quality for supplied air respirators).

3M PAPR Units 3M Versaflo PAPR

Tight-Fitting PAPR

Tight-fitting respirators must be fit-tested when use is required, and users must perform seal checks every time a tight fitting negative pressure respirator – a filtering facepiece or half facepiece respirator - is worn. Some Examples of these are below.

Loose-Fitting PAPR

Loose-fitting respirators typically have a hood or helmet. These might be suitable for users with facial hair depending on required APF. Some Examples of these are below.

 

3M Filters and Cartridges.

Understanding the different types of particulate filters and gas and vapour cartridges will help you select the right one.

As per AS/NZS 1715 there are 3 different classes of particulate filters, P1, P2 and P3.


The negative pressure particulate categories are based facepiece coverage. All particulate filtering facepieces that cover the nose and mouth area only can achieve only a P1 or P2 classification. A P3 classification can ONLY be achieved when worn with a full facepiece. 
 

  • Class P1 particulate filters are used against mechanically generated particulates e.g. silica and wood dust.
  • Class P2 particulate filters are used for protection against mechanically and thermally generated particulates or both e.g. metal fumes. The 3M 2125 and the 3M 6035 being the best sellers in 3M P2 filters
  • Class P3 particulate filters are used for protection against highly toxic or highly irritant particulates e.g. beryllium (when worn with a full facepiece). The 3M 6035 being the best seller in 3M P3 filters.
  • NOTE: certain contaminants may have specific respiratory selection criteria outside this guide e.g. asbestos.
  • Gas and vapour cartridges categories are distinguished by their filter type and class. Refer to AS/NZS 1715 for the complete list of filter types and what they are used for. Some commonly used filter types are:
  • Filter type A = Certain organic vapours (boiling point above 65 degree C) from solvents such as those in paints and thinners (cartridge label colour = brown) 3M offers this is an A1 (6051), and A2 (6055).
  • Filter type B = Acid gases such as chlorine and hydrogen sulfide (sulphide) (cartridge label colour = grey)
  • Filter type E = Sulfur dioxide (cartridge colour = yellow)
  • Filter type ABE = are suitable for both certain organic vapours/acid gases and sulfur dioxide e.g. solvents, chlorine and sulfur dioxide (cartridge label colour = brown, grey and yellow)
  • Filter type K = ammonia gas (cartridge label colour = green) 3M offers this is a K1 (6054), Filter.
  • Filter type ABEK = are suitable for both certain organic vapours/acid gases, sulfur dioxide and ammonia (cartridge label colour = brown, grey, yellow and green) 3M offers a great solution in an A1B1E1K1 (6059) filter.
3M disposable respirator catalogue 3M PAPR Catalogue
3M Disposable Respiratory Catalogue Download 3M Powered Air Purifying Respirators Catalogue Download

 

 

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