Chapter 5

Respiratory Protective Equipment

If the use of the various control options does not provide the required
control of an inhalation hazard, respirators should be considered.
Typically respirators are used:
 to reduce exposure until engineering controls are installed,
 to supplement engineering controls and work practices which
fail to reduce the hazard to an acceptable level,
 during activities such as maintenance and repairs, when
engineering controls are Not feasible,
 during emergencies,
 When measures and procedures necessary to control the
exposure do not exist or are unavailable.

Indicates the various factors which influence the overall effectiveness or

acceptability of RPE. Since respiratory protection depends upon the
proper use of the equipment, all prospective users must be carefully
trained in its use and undergo regular retraining.

TSTC Ch. V - 26 H2S

 Ease of Fitting
Seal Pressure
and area

Head harness fit

Head / Face Facial Fit and effect on
Dimensions
Facepiece

Technical
Effeciency
( Specified by
relevant standard )

Protection
Effectiveness

Respiratory Ease of use

load Operatiional
Acceptability
Work Compatibility
Capacity with other PPE

Thermal Effects Mass and weight

distribution

Speech Communication Freedom of Movement

& Vision

Fig. 10 Factors which influence the overall effectiveness of RPE

TSTC Ch. V - 27 H2S

OXYGEN DEFICIENCY

There are various definitions of the term “oxygen deficiency“. Definitions

range from below 16.0 % to below 19.5 % in air. Some standards take
into consideration altitude or oxygen partial pressure, others do not.
Always use air supplied respiratory protection when the oxygen
level in the working atmosphere is below 20 %.

HEALTH ASPECTS OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

There are several physiological and psychological conditions which can

interfere with respirator use: Impaired function of heart, blood vessels or
lungs, thermal stress, diminished senses, skin reactions. Supervisors
and instructors should be made aware of this.

AIR PURIFYING (FILTERING) RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

This type of equipment depends on the removal of the contaminant from

the air prior to breathing. Both dust filters and gas absorbers (and
combinations) are available and may be connected to a variety of face-
pieces. Air purifying respirators, cartridges and canisters are only
effective for a finite time, the time being dependant on the usage
conditions. Conditions of high temperature and high humidity will
shorten the stated service life of the cartridge or canister.

Correct size selection and fitting are essential, since leakage around the
face-piece can amount to 10 % of the air inhaled and may be
considerably more if the mask is poorly fitted, if the face is unshaved or if
normal spectacles are worn. Air purifying respirators can be mouth piece
TSTC Ch. V - 28 H2S
and nose clip, half masks or full face-piece. They must not be worn in
situations where the oxygen content of the air is less than 20%. (No
other Contamination).

Facial features sometimes vary significantly with nationality. It is

important therefore that half masks and full mask are made available in
at least three different sizes. Because of the problems outlined above,
the use of air purifying respirators should be confined to selected
operations where the exposure levels have been assessed.

TYPES OF AIR PURIFYING RESPIRATOR:

1. Single Use Filtering Face-Piece (Disposable)

A disposable respirator is usually a simple half mask (ori-nasal)

respirator formed from the filter medium and designed to be used for a
day or a task, after which it is thrown away, ( used only in dusty days-
Not with chemical dusts )

HALF MASK OR FULL FACE-PIECE AIR PURIFYING

a) Gases or vapours
A canister respirator consists of a face-piece connected to an
adsorbent canister by means of a flexible tube. The cartridge
respirator has the adsorbent cartridge(s) directly attached to the
face-piece. No adsorbent will remove all gaseous contaminants so
the type of adsorbent must be carefully selected according to the
hazard. Cartridges and canisters should only be used for the gases
or vapors listed on their label.
The duration of protection provided by both the cartridge and the
canister varies widely, from almost none in very high concentrations
to many hours in low concentrations of the contaminant. There is

TSTC Ch. V - 29 H2S

 usually no positive indication of the remaining capacity nor its point
of saturation. Where approximate airborne concentrations of
contaminant are known, the maximum safe wearing time can usually
be calculated from data given by the manufacturer/supplier. There
is also a limitation on the shelf-life of an unopened cartridge or
canister. Normally the shelf-life of cartridges/canisters, provided the
seal is intact, is 5 years. This shelf-life should be confirmed with the
supplier for each type used and in the location of use.

b) Dust, Fume Or Mist:

These respirators are for use against particulate matter only. The
assessment of a dust hazard is complicated by the fact that the
"respirable dust" particles which actually penetrate into the lungs
are usually not visible to the naked eye.

c) Combination Vapour Cartridge And Filter

These respirators are for use against gaseous and particulate
contamination and have a combination of cartridge (or canister)
and dust filter. The same limitations apply as for the individual
units.

POWERED AIR PURIFYING SYSTEMS

a. Powered Air Purifying Respirator:

Air is drawn through a filter by battery powered fan and then blown
into a half mask or full face-piece at a slight positive pressure to
reduce inward leakage of contaminated air. These units give a
higher level of protection than the unpowered devices. The flow
rate should be a minimum of 120 liters per minute.

TSTC Ch. V - 30 H2S

b. Powered Helmet Respirator
The fan and filters are mounted in the rear of a special helmet or on
a waist belt and the purified air is blown down behind a protective
visor past the wearer face.

TSTC Ch. V - 31 H2S

 Disposable Half Mask-Twin Cartridge

Full Mask-Twin Cartridge Full Mask-Twin Cartridge

TSTC Ch. V - 32 H2S

 Canister Type-Full Mask
AIR PURIFYING RESPIRATORS

Powered Air Purifying Systems

Air fed hood

Air fed blouse

TSTC Ch. V - 33 H2S

Canister type:
full face Full face-twin
Air Fed Visor Safety Helmet Cartridge

ATMOSPHERE-SUPPLYING RESPIRATORY PROTECTION:

TSTC Ch. V - 34 H2S

There are a number of types of atmosphere-supplying (also called air-
supplied) respiratory protective equipment. All of the types require a
source of breathing air of acceptable quality. These are the only types of
respiratory protection suitable for use in an oxygen-deficient or
immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) atmosphere. The
following types are available:

1. Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) (Fig. 11 )

The common open-circuit SCBA is supplied with air from a cylinder and
exhausts it to the atmosphere. There is no recirculation of air. The high-
pressure compressed air cylinder is normally carried on the back. The
design airflow is 35 – 40 livers / min liters per minute (lpm) and the air
supply is regulated by two different modes: -
 Demand: air supplied via 2-stage regulator with reduced
pressure from 200 Bar to 20 Bars
Then to (3.4-6.8 bar). The admission valve is activated upon
inhalation.
 Pressure-demand: similar to demand type except that there is
a special exhalation valve which maintains a positive pressure in
the face-piece at all times. The regulator still supplies additional
air on demand. It is recommended that only pressure-demand
types which maintain a positive pressure in the mask even at
peak air demand are used.

All SCBA must have a warning device to indicate when only 20-25% of

TSTC Ch. V - 35 H2S

service time remains. SCBA units come with full face-piece and half
mask face-pieces. Only the full face-piece type should be used in
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) atmospheres.

N.B : All SCBA user should have lungs function test before using SCBA

2. Supplied (Compressed) Air-Line Respirators (Figure 12) (Demand

And Constant Flow Type).

The user is supplied with respirable air through a hose connected to a

central source. The hose length should not exceed 90 meters and the
inlet pressure to the hose should not exceed 8 bars. The air source can
be a compressed air cylinder or an air compressor. If an air compressor
is used the air inlet should be located in an area of uncontaminated air
and upwind from any compressor exhaust. Air-line respirators may be
half-mask, full face-piece, hood or helmet or a complete suit. They are
available in demand, pressure-demand and continuous flow
configurations. The demand and pressure-demand are as described
under SCBA. The continuous flow type maintains an air flow at all times.
Their use can be limited because of the need to carry and maintain
physical integrity of the air hose. In addition, airlines which are in contact
with hydrocarbon or chemicals liquids for long periods may become
permeable to those substances.

3. Fresh Air Hose With Blower

The air is brought from an uncontaminated area by a blower

arrangement. The main problem with this type of unit is the difficulties in
maintaining a clean air supply (i.e. leakage into the nose due to defects
in the hose material from, permeation or general contamination of the

TSTC Ch. V - 36 H2S

area the hose is pulling air from). The hose should not be longer than 36
meters. They are not recommended for general use. A hood, blouse or
half mask face-piece may be used in conjunction with a motor operated
blower.

4. Fresh Air Hose Without Blower

The apparatus consists of a full face-piece with a valve system

connected by an; air hose through which air suitable for respiration is
drawn by the breathing action of the wearer. The air inlet should be fitted
with a filter to prevent the ingress of coarse particles.

TSTC Ch. V - 37 H2S

 SCBA self-contained
Fig. 11 breathing apparaturs
( open circuit )

Air Supplied Respirator

Fig. 12 Supplied Air-Line Respirators

TSTC Ch. V - 38 H2S

SELECTION

The selection of the correct respirator for any given situation

requires consideration of the following factors:

 Nature of the hazard

 Characteristics of the operations.
 Length of time protection to be worn
 Work requirements and conditions
 Characteristics and limitations of available respirators
 Respiratory protection fit
 User training.

Proper respirator selection results in the choice of a reliable device that

protects the worker from the hazards to which he or she may be
exposed, permitting the worker to perform the tasks with the least
amount of discomfort and fatigue.

TSTC Ch. V - 39 H2S

 Correct Fitting of Full Face Mask

Fig. 13

Pull the neck strap over your head and fit the mask against the face. Pull
the head harness over your head, adjust the mask, hold it tight to the
face and tighten the head straps as shown in (Figure 13)

Leakage Test
Cover the air inlet of the connector on the filter, trying to inhale at the
same time and hold your breath approx 10 seconds. As a result, the
mask should collapse on the face and no inward leakage should be
noticed in any way if the mask is tight. Leakage may be caused by, for
instance, a beard, incorrect fitting of mask or filter, or no gasket between
filter and mask. Leakage can also be caused by a dirty of faulty
exhalation valve. The mask is most effective and comfortable when
breathing is deep and calm. Disconnect filter or breathing apparatus after
use. Wipe the mask over with a clean cloth and put into storage.
TSTC Ch. V - 40 H2S
EMERGENCY ESCAPE RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

Emergency escape respirators are units that will provide a high degree of
protection for a short period of time (5-10 minutes) to allow for escape
from a highly hazardous environment (i.e. IDLH situations). The
selection of the best type of respirator for escape from contaminated
and/or oxygen deficient atmosphere will depend on the nature of the
hazard and the ability of the employee to leave the contaminated area.
Escape respirators should not be used for normal operations which
require the use of breathing apparatus. Also, due to the limited air
supply, they should not be issued for escape purposes for those
situations where, by virtue of the location, there may be insufficient time
for a person to exit safely, such as from an elevated level or confined
space.

TSTC Ch. V - 41 H2S