EN 149 Respiratory Protective Devices Standard explained
EN 149 is a European standard that specifies the requirements for filtering half masks that are used as respiratory protective devices. These masks are designed to protect against airborne particles, such as dust, smoke, and aerosols.
EN 149 sets out several requirements that filtering half masks must meet to provide effective protection, including requirements for filtration efficiency, breathing resistance, and fit. There are three classes of filtering half masks under EN 149:
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- FFP1: Provides the lowest level of protection against airborne particles, with a minimum filtration efficiency of 80% and a maximum total inward leakage of 22%.
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- FFP2: Provides moderate protection against airborne particles, with a minimum filtration efficiency of 94% and a maximum total inward leakage of 8%.
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- FFP3: Provides the highest level of protection against airborne particles, with a minimum filtration efficiency of 99% and a maximum total inward leakage of 2%.
In addition to these requirements, EN 149 also specifies testing procedures to evaluate the performance of filtering half masks. These tests evaluate the masks’ filtration efficiency, breathing resistance, and fit. It’s important to note that filtering half masks should be used only in situations where respiratory protection is necessary and in accordance with local regulations and guidelines. In addition, users should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper use, storage, and disposal of the masks. The Apparel Med respiratory is an FFP2 mask with additional splash resistance testing.
Benefits of Apparel Med EN 149 FFP2 Masks
FFP2 masks are a type of filtering facepiece respirator that are designed to provide a higher level of protection against airborne particles than regular face masks. During the COVID-19 pandemic, FFP2 masks have been recommended for use in certain high-risk situations, such as when caring for patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.
FFP2 masks are designed to filter out at least 94% of airborne particles, including small droplets and aerosols that may contain the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They provide a better level of protection than regular face masks, which are primarily designed to prevent the spread of droplets from the wearer to others.
FFP2 masks have been approved for medical use and may be used by healthcare workers in certain high-risk situations, such as when caring for patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. However, it’s important to note that FFP2 masks are not designed specifically for medical use for this reason we have got our FFP2 mask additional tested for Splash resistance which wouldn’t be common in order FFP2 masks on the market. Splash resistance refers to a mask’s ability to resist the penetration of fluids, such as blood or other bodily fluids, during medical procedures. This is particularly important in healthcare settings where healthcare workers may be exposed to infectious agents.
Check out our Apparel Med FFP2 Mask here:
https://apparelsupply.ie/product/ffp2-nr-respiratory-face-mask/
