Respiratory protection classifications and characteristics

Gas mask: what is it and what is it for

A gas mask is an individual means of protection for a person, designed to preserve the respiratory system from exposure to harmful and hazardous substances, chemical vapors and compounds or nuclear dust in the surrounding atmosphere in the form of gases, vapors or aerosols.

Important! Unlike a standard respirator, the bulky rubber mask additionally protects the eyes and skin on the person's face. In what cases is a gas mask used:

In what cases is a gas mask used:

• household work in which it is necessary to provide respiratory protection, for example, with solvents, chemicals;
• in extreme emergencies;
• for work underground, in closed rooms or containers;
• in military conflicts with the use of toxic substances;
• releases of radioactive, bacterial substances into the air as a result of emergency explosions at enterprises.

Each type of gas mask has a mask that partially or completely covers the face, leaving a panoramic part or glasses for viewing. The protective mask is equipped with a breathing element made in the form of a filter or compressor.

Also, the main components in the device include valves for free inhalation and exhalation, an intercom for communication.

Views

There are several types of masks. If we consider the classification of protective equipment according to the principle of action, then they are divided into the following types.

• Insulating. A distinctive feature of the devices is complete autonomy. Such products guarantee maximum respiratory protection for the wearer. Such RPEs are in demand in polluted environments where conventional filtration is not enough, since it is not able to perform high-quality air purification.
• Filtering. The devices are used to clean the air flow taken from the external environment in which harmful substances and gases are common. These respirators have a significantly lower degree of safety compared to the first group.

Additionally, insulating products are divided into:

• autonomous with open and closed circuits;
• hose pipes with constant and periodic supply of filtered air;
• hose, working under pressure.

If you classify respirators by type of pollution, with which they are able to fight, then distinguish:

• anti-aerosol devices - they provide air purification from sprayed aerosols, and also retain dust and smoke outside;
• gas masks - designed to clean the air from poisonous vapors or gases;
• combined - capable of cleaning the air from both aerosols and gases.

As for the division of respirators by purpose, there are industrial, household and medical devices.

Is it possible to suffocate in a gas mask?

You can suffocate without a gas mask. The device itself does not pose a direct threat, but there are very important nuances that should be considered before using a gas mask.

Firstly, if the rules for its use are not followed, a lethal outcome is quite likely due to the penetration of toxic substances into the mask space. For example, if a rubber mask is damaged or if it does not fit tightly to the face, whether it is a filtering or insulating gas mask, the effect of its protective elements becomes useless.

Secondly, in filtering gas masks, the filter action time is always limited, and their use after the declared operating time or after they have been fully worked out also leads to undesirable consequences. Do not forget about the purpose of filters - with an incorrectly selected filter element, the gas mask will also be ineffective.

As for insulating gas masks, work in them can begin strictly after activating the starting device, which releases the first portions of clean air.

In addition, it should be remembered that while working in a gas mask, breathing resistance and pressure on the face are noticeably felt, which noticeably affects the performance and functioning of the whole body. Therefore, you should study all contraindications to the use of this type of device.

Varieties of gas masks

At the moment, the following types of gas masks are available for the civilian population:

1. Civilian - they differ from military models in cheaper materials of manufacture. Should be issued by civil defense centers in the event of an emergency - a man-made disaster or natural disaster, the main factors of which are poisonous gases. In most cases, they are purchased by citizens on their own in specialized stores. The effectiveness of this personal protective equipment is in direct proportion to the type of filter element that is used.
2. Industrial - used at an enterprise with hazardous working conditions where the potential hazard of the production process has a high probability of an accident with the release of harmful substances into the atmosphere. Such devices are more expensive, some models are intended for long-term wear. Industrial gas masks have many design options, different types of masks and attachment points for filter elements.

According to the method of protection against toxic substances, gas masks are divided into filtering and insulating.

1. Filtering gas masks. A special container is used, into which a mechanical filter or chemical reagents are inserted. The cheapest models use an activated carbon reagent with preliminary air purification from solid particles with fibrous filters. Typically, such devices are used in industrial models, since a certain type of threat can be anticipated in advance. The protection time depends on the concentration of the toxic substance in the air and can range from several hours to several days. What gas masks protect from some combustion products, but not from carbon monoxide.

2. Isolating gas masks. They are versatile personal protective equipment. The main difference and advantage over filtering filters is that the owner is completely isolated from the outside air. Isolating gas masks are divided into two types:

   • Compressed air or oxygen based devices. The main element of such a means of protection is an oxygen cylinder under a pressure of 150 atmospheres.

     The design provides for the presence of a special bag with a volume of 5 liters. Into which oxygen enters through the pressure reducing valve. In addition, there is a special cartridge with a chemical reagent that absorbs exhaled CO2. Duration of use up to 2 hours. Compressed air insulating masks have a simpler design, similar to that of a scuba gear. The exhaust air is exhaled into the atmosphere. Such devices have a lower operating life at one refueling 30-60 minutes.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

   • Isolating gas masks of the regenerative type of action are composed of cartridges filled with chemical compounds containing oxygen in a bound state. When CO2 and water vapor enters the cartridge, a chemical reaction of liberated oxygen occurs. The duration of using one registration cartridge can be 1-5 hours, depending on the intensity of physical activity.

     At the point of attachment of the filter element, one can distinguish between a hose gas mask and with attachment to a face mask.

An article on comparing gas masks will be useful to you?

Yes, I want to see all the characteristics in one place No, I myself will compare the models I am interested in

Hopcalite cartridge.

What to do?

To protect against carbon monoxide, you need to neutralize it and turn it into something harmless. It is impossible to stop it with a filter, neither with coal, nor with another.

The hopcalite cartridge DP-1 is used as an element of a gas mask (for example, for a gas mask GP-5) and protects against carbon monoxide, reducing the concentration in the inhaled air to a safe one through a chemical reaction that neutralizes carbon monoxide.
It does not protect against smoke and other combustion products, therefore it must be used in a general scheme with a standard filter.
The thread on the ends of the hopcalite cartridge allows it to be inserted between the mask and the main filter.
Breathing becomes, of course, harder. The inhaled air is additionally heated by the chemical reaction that occurs during CO neutralization.
But we are talking about saving a life, so you have to be patient. It will be hard for the cores….

The hopcalite cartridge is threaded on both sides, which allows it to be connected between the mask and the main filter.

Hopcalite cartridge. Visible markings, which can be used to determine the batch number and production date.

I will not give instructions on how to use the hopcalite cartridge.
An introductory article, not claiming to be scientific or a specific guide to action.
One has only to remember that the gas mask does not produce oxygen even with this magic cartridge.
And, if it is less than a certain norm in the air, then the hopcalite cartridge may not help.

It must also be said that poisoning during a fire can be not only from carbon monoxide, but also from combustion products. Especially plastic. It can be plastic windows, some elements of interior decoration. Therefore, the use of the main filter element in a gas mask is mandatory.

What it is

According to GOST R 12.4.233-2012 personal protective equipment: gas masks, respirators, other technical devices worn on the human body - protect the respiratory system when working with a polluted atmosphere and (or) in conditions of lack of oxygen, that is, prevent the ingress of dust, chemicals , gases and aerosols into the lungs during fire extinguishing, work in hazardous production, in conditions of dust storms and smog. For this purpose, the devices are equipped with filters, cords and cylinders for air supply, as well as other protective elements.

What is respiratory PPE? Firstly, the already listed devices. They also include pneumatic jackets and pneumatic suits used in the nuclear industry.

Appointment and classification of RPE is an important topic in the organization of labor protection at an enterprise. Occupational safety and health professionals and line managers should know exactly what tools should be used in a particular case, where their use is unacceptable.

Selection Tips

The selection of a gas mask must meet certain criteria.

1. Application area. Based on an overview of some of the models, you can understand that they are used in different situations, so get a model that works according to the conditions in which you will use it.
2. Durability. Respirators are both disposable and reusable.
3. Protection classes. It is also necessary to determine the suitable model for the protection class from FFP1 to FFP3, where the higher the value, the more difficult the respirator can be subjected to.

For an overview of the 3M 6800 gas mask, see below.