Types of Respirators

Air-purifying respirators (APRs) include negative pressure, tight-fitting respirators, and powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs). These respirators remove contaminants from the outside air prior to inhalation by passing it through a filter or cartridge containing a solid absorbent material such as activated charcoal. Air-purifying respirators do not provide oxygen and must never be used in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere.

Supplied-air respirators (SARs) may be either positive or negative pressure. There are two types of SARs: the air-line respirator (ALR) and the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Only SARs are safe for use in oxygen-deficient atmospheres. In hazardous atmospheres, air-line respirators must have auxiliary self-contained breathing capability for escape purposes.

Escape-only respirators are intended for use only during escape (emergency exit) from a hazardous atmosphere. No one should use an escape-only respirator to enter or re-enter a hazardous atmosphere for any purpose.

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