What standards apply to respiratory protection accessories?
Respiratory protection accessories must meet strict European standards to guarantee their effectiveness and compatibility with respiratory protection equipment:
- EN 143: sets out requirements for particle filters, used against solid or liquid dust and aerosols.
- EN 14387: covers gas and combined filters, suited to environments exposed to toxic gases or vapours.
- EN 136: defines the criteria for full face masks, including the compatibility of accessories and spare parts.
- EN 140: applies to half masks and quarter masks, often used with different types of filters and valves.
- EN 12941/12942: governs powered-ventilation devices, guaranteeing the performance of associated accessories.
Meeting these standards makes it possible to select accessories suited to every professional environment and to ensure user safety.
What types of respiratory protection accessories are there, and for which sectors?
The range of respiratory protection accessories includes several sub-types, each meeting specific needs depending on the sector:
- Gas, particle and combined filters: recommended in chemicals, food processing, heavy industry or energy.
- Cartridges and valves: used during welding, maintenance work or in dusty environments.
- Spare parts for respiratory masks and oxygen masks: essential in aerospace, construction or waste management.
- Maintenance kits and replacement accessories: to extend the lifespan of equipment and guarantee its effectiveness.
To discover all the solutions suited to every trade, see our selection of respiratory protective masks dedicated to professionals.
How should respiratory protection accessories be maintained?
Maintaining respiratory protection accessories is essential to guarantee their performance and user safety. It is recommended to:
- Regularly clean spare parts and mask surfaces with suitable products, avoiding corrosive agents.
- Store filters, cartridges and valves in a dry place, away from light and temperature variations.
- Check the condition of accessories before each use: check for cracks, deformation or clogging.
- Follow the replacement frequency indicated by the manufacturer, even in the absence of visible signs of wear.
- Immediately dispose of any accessory showing a loss of seal integrity or reduced performance.
Thorough maintenance helps preserve the reliability of respiratory protection over the long term.
What specific points should be considered for respiratory protection accessories?
Respiratory protection accessories have specific points to consider to guarantee optimal protection in every professional context:
- Compatibility with different respiratory mask or oxygen mask models, depending on sector needs.
- Suitability for extreme conditions: exposure to gases, dust, humidity or high temperatures.
- Variable lifespan depending on the type of accessory, frequency of use and working environment.
- Ability to combine several accessories to enhance respiratory protection, while ensuring the overall assembly remains properly sealed.
- Systematic performance checks before each use, particularly for filters and cartridges.
Taking these specifics into account helps optimise operator safety and comfort, while ensuring the compliance of respiratory protection equipment.