Which standards apply to respiratory masks?
What you should know about respirators
The standards and minimum requirements for respirators are set out in EN149:2001 + A1:2009. This standard also defines the filter classes FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3. Below you will find the key details about these so-called filtering half masks.
Respirators, which are often also referred to as fine dust masks and comply with EN 149, are suitable for use with liquid and solid aerosols. They protect the wearer from potential health risks that could be caused by these aerosols. As part of personal protective equipment (PPE), they are required by law in many industrial working environments.
The masks are categorized according to three protection classes: FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3. The protection classes are based on the so-called MAK value, which indicates the concentration of harmful substances in the workplace to which an employee may be exposed without any adverse health effects.
FFP1 is used for small particle quantities; FFP2 for medium and FFP3 for large particle quantities. FFP is the abbreviation for Filtering Face Piece.The respirators are tested in accordance with legal requirements, namely with sodium chloride (solid aerosols) and kerosene oil (liquid aerosols). Depending on the filter class, the masks protect against a certain multiple of the MAK limit value
- Filter class FFP1: This class offers protection up to four times the MAK value and is ideal for protection against coarser, harmful dry particles and aerosols. Typical areas of application include working with wood sanding dust, quartz dust, coarse allergens and pollen.
- Filter class FFP2: These masks offer protection up to ten times the MAK value and are designed to protect the wearer from harmful dry particles and aerosols. They are often used when working with metal dust, mineral fiber dust, polishing dust and construction site dust.
- Filter class FFP3: This offers the highest level of protection, up to 30 times the MAK value, and is intended in particular for protection against very fine dry particles and aerosols that are hazardous to health. They are particularly useful in the chemical industry and when working with bacteria, viruses and simple radioactive dusts.