Most have seen a full-face Air Purifying Respirator (APR), but just so we are on the same page, I have shared an image of a FF-APR. The serious question I have is…
Can this FF-APR be equipped with “escape only” cartridges and be declared an emergency escape respirator?
I so NO, but I will be darned if I can find any agency or manufacturer that says NO. Here are my reasons for saying NO…
These “escape only” cartridges are intended, in my professional opinion are intended to provide an escape from a job that went bad, such as a line break. They are not intended to be placed onto one of these APRs and stored in a controlled area for the sole purpose of being an emergency escape respirator. These FF-APRs have some serious limitations as an “emergency use only” respirator, even though the cartridge may state “emergency escape”. For example, what about those who need to wear glasses as they attempt to escape – CAN NOT wear glasses when wearing this tight-fitting respirator. How about those workers who have facial hair at the time of the emergency?
I just do not see how these APRs can be declared an emergency escape respirator just because the cartridge states it is rated for “emergency escape only” for specific hazardous atmospheres.