We know, respirator standards can be confusing. Whats the difference between P2, P3, FFP3, TH3, APF factors, half-masks, disposable masks, or powered respirators? You’re in the right place, this is all discussed below!
This article covers:
- What type of mask do I need?
- What is the difference between P1, P2 and P3 mask?
- What are TH factors?
- What are APF factors?
- What are OEL or WEL factors?
- What are the Filter Types?
- Reminder: When can respiratory protection be used?
- Further Guides
What type of Mask do I need?
The types of mask are generally split into three categories, disposable masks (typically last one shift), half masks (with replaceable filters), and then powered respiratory equipment.
The filter standard required depends on the task, but this can be summarised below:
Wondering what mask to wear for silica dust? Always choose one with P3 filters. For more information about silica dust, its hazards, and how to minimize risk, click here: Silica Dust; Everything You Need To Know.
Typically, P1 masks are classed as ‘dusk masks’, protecting from low quantities of non-harmfulparticles. We do not sell this type of mask, as the protection offered is minimal.
Whats the difference betweenFFP1 vs FFP2 vs FFP3 respirators?
And is there another difference between P1, P2 and P3?
FFP masks protect against particulate pollutants such as dust, smoke and aerosols to ensure better health for the wearer. They are available in the three protection levelsFFP1, FFP2andFFP3. These are standardized across the European Union according to EN 149:2001+A1:2009.
FFP stands for ‘Filtering Face Piece’, and the number refers to the protection level of the respiratory mask. The higher the number, the more efficiently the mask filters airborne particles such as dust. On this type of mask there is no separate filter, the mask fabric itself is the filter, and over time these become clogged and are essentially disposable.
P1, P2 and P3 filters may be used with both half and full faced masks. Both P2 and P3 filters can be used against harmful particles, aerosols and other agents. The higher the number, the higher the protection given, therefore P3 masks may be used against more harmful substances and at higher concentrations than both P2 and P1 masks. These ratingsare standardized across the European Union according to EN 149:2001+A1:2009 if the half mask has filters installed, or EN 140:1998 if the half mask is without filters..
So, FFP masks are the disposable type with filters inbuilt, whereas a half or full face mask is reusable, and needs a changeable P rated filter.
Looking for more information on disposable masks (FFP)?
What is a TH Factor?
While in the recent years we have become familiar with many face mask ratings and their meaning, TH1, TH2, TH3 isn’t as common as either the FFP3 or P3 ratings explained above.
TH factors relate to the inward leakage protection level of a complete powered air respiratorysystem. There are three levels.
Typically, these apply to respirators which fully enclose a users face, such as PAPR or Air Fed Masks.
So, what do these values mean?
Simply put, this means how much of the fumes or particles bypass filtration. The higher the level, the less outside particles get into the system:
TH1: Less than 10%
TH2: Less than 2%
TH3: Less than 0.2%
CleanAir is a PAPR system which gives the highest level of respiratory protection, TH3.
What is an APF factor?
APF stands for ‘Assumed Protection Factor’, which means the level of protection that a respirator is rated to provide workers in hazardous environments. In this article we are using UK APF factors, but other countries have their own, and there are also ‘nominal factors’ (NPF) which may be used elsewhere.
There are five levels of APF factors: 4, 10, 20, 40 and 2000. The higher the number, the greater the level of protection offered.
An APF factor measures the decrease in concentration of harmful substances inside the mask compared to outside the mask.For example, an APF factor of 10 means that no more than one tenth of the contaminants in an environment to which a worker is exposed will leak into the mask, and likewise an APF protection factor of 100 will mean only one percent will leak through the mask.
To determine the required APF you must divide the measured level of concentration in your workplace by the Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) that the local legislation allows. This calculation will give a required protection factor (RPF), and the respirator APF value selected must then be above the requirement.
RPF = Measured level of contamination ÷ Exposure limit for contaminate
For example: RPF = 250mg/m³ ÷ 50mg/m³
Therefore: RPF = 5 and a respiratory device with an APF of 10 or more would be required.
As can be seen in the table below, generally an APF factor of 20 equates to a P3 classification. CleanAir PAPR has an APF factor of 40 as it is TH3, making it more effective than P3.
The only type of respiratory protection to reach a UK APF rating of 2000 is those of the SCBA positive pressure class. These cover ‘self contained breathing apparatus’ which include devices used by firemen to enter oxygen depleted atmospheres, and also are similar to SCUBA systems for underwater use.
Also available are types of powered respiratory equipment, which as having a positive pressure feed, some do not need the face fit testing that the negative pressured examples above require. This type of system has many benefits, and may be lighter-weight, better integrated with other PPE being worn, and can be reused for much longer. See our range here.
And lets just clear this up now: medical/surgical masks, and ‘dust masks’ have no place in the workplace as they offer minimal protection against workplace hazards.
What is an OEL or WEL factor?
OEL stands for ‘OccupationalExposureLimit’ and WEL stands for ‘Workplace Exposure Limit’, which generally indicates the highest level of admissible exposure, for a length of time (usually 8 hours), to a chemical or physical hazard present in the workplace, that is not likely to affect the health of a worker.
These are calculated through monitoring of the air in the workplace, and this figure can then be used to work out the level of protection required for the worker by dividing this figure by the exposure limit the worker can legally handle. For technical advice, please see the HSE website.
If in doubt, the best possible strategy is always to minimize or eliminate the risk, not just protect from it. If in doubt, seek expert advice for your particular situation.
What are the Filter Types?
Remember!
Normal oxygen levels in the atmosphere are 21%, and any level of oxygen below 19.5% is considered an oxygen deficient environment. In this situation,standard respiratory equipment, and even some powered respiratory equipment, is not suitable. This is because these systems only filter the air from the immediate surroundings of the wearer. In an oxygen deficient environment respiratory protection either needs to be through a powered respiratory airline system, with the source well away from the contaminated and low oxygen area, or the wearer needs a complete sealed bottled air solution – which achieves the highest APF rating.
Also, Face-Fit Testing must be carried out to ensure the best fit of respiratory PPE possible. This applies toall half masks and full-face masks to ensure protection levels offered to the wearer are as high as possible. Got questions how face fit testing can be carried out if the employee has facial hair? Easy answer- it can’t.
You can be assured that all PPE in our range adheres to the correct UK standard!
Furthermore, the best method to reduce risk is always to remove the source of the issue. This diagram explains the process of risk reduction clearly:
However, if you have decided that a mask, or other form of respiratory protection is ideal for reducing the hazard posed to a safe level, then get in touch with us on the details below, or search our range on the website!
Further Details:
Still looking for more information? Here is a simple guide on the HSE’s (Health and Safety Executive’s) website: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg53.pdf
Contact us to discuss your individual circumstances and respiratory protection requirements:
[emailprotected]
0115 925 2261
Warning: Selection of the most appropriate respiratory protective equipment (RPE) will depend on the particular situation and should be made only by a competent person with knowledge of the actual working conditions and the limitations of RPE. Details regarding performance and limitations are set out on the respirator package and user instructions. Before using any of these respirators, the wearer must read and understand the user instructions for each product. Specific country legislation must be observed.
E&OE. Please contact us if you require any further information about masks – disposable, reusable, powered or otherwise!
