Respiratory protective devices vary greatly in design, application and protective capability. Thus, the user must assess the inhalation hazard and understand the specific use limitations of available equipment to assure proper selection.
The Respirators covered in this guide fall under two classifications: air-purifying and air-supplied. Air-purifying respirators are used against particulates, gases and vapors. These include negative-pressure respirators that use chemical cartridges and/or filters; gas masks; and positive-pressure units such as powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs). Air-supplied devices rely on a primary air source to deliver a steady flow of repirable air to the user's facepiece. These include SCBA and air-line devices.
In the RESPONSE Respirator Selector, respirators are classified according to an assigned protection factor (APF), based on protection factors listed in ANSI Z88.2 - 1992 Respiratory Protection Standard. An APF represents the assigned level of respiratory protection for a respirator or class of respirators. Therefore, the higher the assigned respirator protection factor, the greater the protection provided.
Because ANSI protection factors are not an indicator of protection provided in escape situations, MSA has imposed various limits on respirators when used for escape.
It should be noted that assigned protection factors vary for substance-specific standards promulgated by OSHA. APFs in local, state or federal regulations that are lower than those listed in the Response Product MiniGuide should be used. The same holds true for company operations that fall under the jurisdiction of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which has established its own set of assigned protection factors. If this situation exists, the respirator maximum use concentration can be determined by multiplying the appropriate APF by the chemical exposure limit.
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USE CODE LEGEND R = Routine Use Only E = Escape Only B = Both Routine Use |
Routine Use |
Escape |
Click On Respirator Code for a Detailed Description
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Respirator Code |
Use Code |
Description |
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REB |
Quarter-Mask Air-Purifying Respirator |
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REB |
Half-Mask Air-Purifying Respirator |
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Respirator Code |
Use Code |
Description |
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R B |
Half-Mask Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) |
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R |
Half-Mask Constant-Flow Air-Line Respirator |
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R |
Half-Mask Pressure-Demand Air-Line Respirator |
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Respirator Code |
Use Code |
Description |
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REB |
Full-Face Air-Purifying Respirator |
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REB |
Full-Face Gas Mask, Chin Style |
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REB |
Full-Face Gas Mask, Industrial and Supersize |
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R B |
Full-Face Combination Constant Flow Air-Line Respirator |
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R B |
Full-Face Combination Constant-Flow Air-Line Respirator |
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R B |
Full-Face Combination Pressure-Demand Air-Line Respirator |
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R B |
Full-Face Combination Pressure-Demand Air-Line Respirator |
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Respirator Code |
Use Code |
Description |
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R |
Hood-Type PAPR |
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R B |
Full-Face PAPR |
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R |
Hood-Type Constant-Flow Air-Line Respirator |
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R |
Full-Face Constant-Flow Air-Line Respirator |
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R |
Full-Face Pressure-Demand Air-Line Respirator |
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R B |
Full-Face Combination Constant-Flow Air-Line Respirator |
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R B |
Full-Face Combination Pressure-Demand Air-Line Respirator |
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R B |
Full-Face Combination Constant-Flow Air-Line Respirator |
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R B |
Full-Face Combination Pressure-Demand Air-Line Respirator |
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Respirator Code |
Use Code |
Description |
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R B |
Full-Face Combination Pressure-Demand Air-Line |
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R B |
Full-Face Combination Pressure-Demand Air-Line Respirator |
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REB |
Full-Face Pressure-Demand Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus |
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REB |
Full-Face Pressure-Demand Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus |
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Respirator Code |
Use Code |
Description |
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E |
Mouthpiece Respirator; MSA Imposed Protection Factor of 10 |
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E |
Escape Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus with Hood; Maximum |
Note No. 1
The Air-Purifying Mode can be used for routine use and escape. Routine use is always limited to 100 times the exposure limit when equipped with chemical or combination cartridges. When equipped with aerosol filters, the respirators may be used for escape from an unlimited concentration of particles.
Note No. 2
The Air-Purifying Mode can be used for routine use and escape. Routine use is always limited to 100 times
the exposure limit. For escape, the respirator is limited to the escape limit of the specific canister being used.
Note No. 3
The Air-Purifying Mode can be used for escape only. Escape is limited according to the escape limit
of the specific canister being used.
Note No. 4
The Air-Purifying Mode can be used for escape only. The escape concentration is unlimited.
In selecting a respirator, the device chosen must have an APF adequate for the specific work place exposure. The Response Respirator Selector makes this determination for you. All you need to know is the concentration or potential concentration of the chemical present. Then find the respirator class (Response Code) that has a maximum use concentration of equal or greater value. The Response Respirator Selector will direct you to respirators that have an adequate APF.
If the contaminant concentration is unknown, a respirator with an ``unlimted" maximum use concentration should be selected. These include SCBA, pressure-demand air-line devices with an emergency-escape capability, and other respirators as applicable.
*For emergency planning purposes where hazardous concentrations can be estimated
(REF: ANSI Z88.2-1992)
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Mine Safety Appliances Company (MSA) makes no warranties, understandings or representations, whether expressed, implied, or statutory regarding this response respirator selector. MSA specifically disclaims any warranty for merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall MSA, or anyone else who has been involved in the creation, production or delivery of this respirator selector be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of or inability to use this respirator selector or for any claim by any other party. ©MSA 2005 |