Do you know how often you should be replacing your Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) parts?

Properly maintaining your PAPR system boosts productivity and can have a number of benefits from a safety perspective. Below, we review each key consumable and the most practical time to replace it;

Pre-Filter

It’s recommended that replacing your pre-filter once or twice a week (depending on usage) will have a direct knock-on effect. Most notably, on the other components within your PAPR system. By regularly changing the pre-filter, it will reduce the workload of the gas/particle filter. It’s more cost-effective to replace the pre-filter than the gas/particle filter. This will save you money and help extend the life of your PAPR.

Spark Arrestor

Make a habit of checking on the condition of your spark arrestor. Its purpose is to help prevent sparks and other hot particles from damaging the filter. So it plays an important role and should be changed upon signs of damage. Therefore, by doing so, you will benefit the overall safety of your PAPR.

Gas/Particle Filter

It’s largely recommended to replace and dispose of filters after 40 hours of use or every 30 days, whichever comes first. If a filter becomes damaged, blocked, or when breathing becomes strained then the filter should be replaced right away.

On the PAPR, a traffic light indicator changes colour from green to amber and eventually red to highlight a potential problem.

Breathing Tube/Cover

Finally, your breathing hose should be substituted as soon as it becomes damaged or starts leaking air. Its durability can be improved via the use of a breathing tube cover. A flame-resistant tube cover should be used to protect the breathing tube when used when welding, grinding or applications where there’s a chance of damage to the breathing tube.

For more information on our range of powered air respirators, you can view here