Types of Respirators

Different types of chemicals hazards and different environments require specific types of respirators. You should always be aware of the type of environment you are working in so you can choose the type of respirator best suited for the job at hand.

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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