Powered air-purifying respirators function by forcing ambient air through air-purifying elements and filters, allowing people to breathe with less work.

Depending on your environment and the particulates you’re protecting against, it may be good practice to use a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) when working in certain sectors. This includes healthcare, pharmaceutical manufacturing, painting, spray foam insulation, and more. Once you have assessed your workplace hazards and decided that a PAPR is the right respiratory protection, keep in mind these key differences inherent to the system compared to disposable respiratory protection:

Attributes

Disposable Filtering FacepiecePAPR
Require CleaningN/A-
These are disposable
Works with Facial HairSome facial hair OK
Fit Testing RequiredYES- Tight fitting PAPR

NO- Loose fitting PAPR
Battery Powered
Pre-Medical Exam Required
Provide Additional PPE BenefitsEye Protection
Vapor and Gas ProtectionMay require additional components
Dust, Mist and Fume FiltrationMay require certain filters
Filtering CapabilitiesVarious N95:
95% efficiency

Various:
May require more than one filter based the particulates you are protecting against

HEPA:
99.97% filtration efficiency

Understanding the Costs of Disposable Respiratory Protection (N95s) vs. PAPR

N95 costs go beyond just buying the product. For companies to be OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) compliant, employees required to wear N95s need to undergo annual fit testing (for every model/change) and may also require annual pulmonary function testing. Keep in mind that if your employees are replacing their masks more than once a day, the cost of the one-time use product/person multiplies, which means that the initial investment in a PAPR unit may not prove to be as costly over time. To evaluate the costs, consider using a calculator PAPR vs. N95 cost calculator to help in your PPE assessment.

Bullard EVA PAPR

Bullard EVA PAPR Features:

  • Visual Fuel Gauge – Easily read remaining battery capacity
  • Active Flow Technology – Maintains constant airflow by automatically responding to a worker’s need for more or less
  • Integrated Alarms – Alert the wearer to low air and low battery
  • Long-Lasting Motor – Up to 10,000 hours
  • Single Combination Filter – Easy-to-use single filter compared to units requiring up to 3 combination filters
  • Filter Locking – Visual and audible indication of positive filter installation
  • Hoods – Styles including loose-fitting facepieces, hoods, and headband-free headtops

How to properly don (put on) and doff (take off) a PAPR unit:

Donning:

  1. Inspect the unit prior to using it and confirm it has sufficient battery power.
  2. Make sure all parts are compatible for the pump and from the same manufacturer.
    – Helmet/Hood
    – Tubes
    – Fittings
  3. Ensure the filter is appropriate for the contaminate you are protecting against.
  4. If the filter is not new and someone has used it before, wear gloves before replacing the filter/cartridge.
  5. Confirm proper air flow (at least 6 CFM).
  6. Check that hoses are secured properly and not leaking.
  7. Remember to power the PAPR unit on before entering the environment.

Doffing:

  1. Depending on exposure, the PAPR wearer may need to clean the unit before removing it from the secured working environment
  2. Use the proper disinfectant on the unit’s exterior surface to inactivate the contaminant
  3. Remove the PAPR unit
  4. Disinfect/decontaminate the unit away from the hazardous area but within a designated cleaning area
  5. Disconnect the components and clean each component part except for filters/cartridges. Do not submerge the battery, blower, or hood/helmet in liquid unless you have the appropriate plugs to keep the unit safe from water damage.

Have a Safe Day!