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Making sense of half face respirators - a useful PDF
BIG CAVEAT: I am far from an expert on this subject, and have asked BobL to cast his eye over this, as he seems to have a pretty good handle on these things.
Anyone else who has good/expert info - please also respond.
I've been wading through too many websites on respirators for a while now. I'm trying to chase down the right combination, but the dilemma has been
a) terminology
b) a profound lack of info by the sellers
c) a chart that says "this goes with that"
Maybe I'm a little slow on the uptake, but I have found it pretty tough going - mainly due to the lack of info and the assumptions that are made. Finally, this arvo, I found a brochure from 3M that goes a fair way to explaining it all. See the attached PDF. (page 9 is the nitty gritty)
To help out those who may be as confused as I have been, for a half-face mask there are usually either 2 or 3 components (despite how they may be photographed):
1. the actual mask, which is useless without either a cartridge or a filter, or possibly both
2. The cartridge - this is the gas filter (not particulates). The cartridge should be replaced when you can start to smell what you are trying to filter out, or at the most after 6 months.
3. The filter pad for particulates (P1, P2 or P3). The filter pad should be replaced when it becomes harder to get air through it.
NOTE that 3M says that P3 filtering can only be achieved with a full-face mask.
In some cases the cartridge and filter are combined, and this is usually only for nuisance level gases - probably what we might get from various finishes etc. Examples of that (I think) would be 3M 2000 series filters. These filters would appear to be in the medium price range. I imagine that this 2000 series wouldn't last as long due to having smaller surface area and carbon filters.
What I have been looking for is a mask/cartridge/filter combination that will cover dust from timber and ash (fireplace), and at least some of the solvents that I use with finishes which might include meths, mineral turps, gum turps, white spirits. I rarely use acetone or thinners.
Up to now I have been using one of the disposable 4151 masks which are A1P2 (A1 gas, P2 particulate), which seem to last for about 6 months or so. After a year the rubber starts to break down and go sticky. I have found them very good, but a little expensive at $40-50 a pop. These have proven to be cat fart proof, and household strength 2% Ammonia proof.
So I think that means I need:
7502 Mask (the last digit represents the size). 6000 series half-face is only so you can leave your helmet/visor on to take off the mask frequently.
6051 (A1) or 6055 (A2) cartridge filter. They don't really explain the diff between A1 and A2, but I assume A2 is a higher level of protection.
5925 P2 Particulate filter with a 501 holder to keep it on.
OR
7502 mask
2128 round filter, but I suspect that these will wind up being more expensive because they will be dust contaminated before the gas part is used up.
Of course your requirements for cartridges may vary, depending on what you are working with. Filter pads for woodwork should be a standard P2, so not much variation there.
IMPORTANT NOTE: when purchasing "cheap" cartridge supplies beware of short expiry dates, or even out-of-date products. Always send them a msg to ask what the expiry date is - you should never purchase a cartridge that is <6 months from expiring from when you intend to start using it. 3M also says this applies to particulate filters, but frankly I find that hard to believe.
Waiddaminit, it doesn't make economic sense......
Having slogged through all those websites to find the right combo.....
....and then sourced them.....
.....I'm better off with the disposable ones I'm using! :doh:
:doh:
:doh:
:club:
Cheapest 7502 half face mask I've found is paintaccess.com.au for $42 plus $15 delivery. If they also sold the correct other bits then delivery would be free, but no.
Then I need a pair of 501 filter pad retainers for $6.45
so that's $63.45 to set it up.
Then I need the P2 filter pads, and the cheapest way to buy them is in a 10 pack from eweld for $101.32 because that makes them $10 a pair for each 6 monthly change (could be sooner though). Otherwise buying them in pairs is about $16 per pair plus delivery.
Then I need 6051 Cartridges, also from eweld, at $21.90 a pair, every 6 months (although I reckon I can stretch that to 12 no worries).
AT least eweld have Click n Collect at Big W so no delivery costs.
So best case scenario is
initial outlay for mask & retainers $63.45
every 12 months (at best) 2x pairs of P2 filters $20, 1x pair of 6051 cartridges $22
3M 7502 mask minimum cost in first year $105.45 (but an additional 8 pairs P2 pads has $80 tied up)
and that gives me protection level A1P2. Ongoing costs of $42 per year minimum.
Now I have just discovered that eweld sell the 3M 4000 disposable mask for $34. This is the mask that I use which gives me A1P2 protection. That is significantly cheaper than I have been paying.
So that same $105 gives me 18 months worth of disposable masks, without having another $80 tied up. AND I don't have bloody great filters hanging off the side of the thing, waiting to catch on stuff......
Even cheaper here at $23 plus post.
I have also discovered why the Carbatec version was so expensive at $64 - it is the top of the wazza overkill 4279 which provides A1B1E1K1P2 which is hardly necessary for most shed purposes (acid gas and ammonia protection).
:charley:
So, ahhhh, thanks for your attention and input.....I'll just go back under my rock now.....:bricks: