BLS 200 Serie Mode D'emploi page 5

Table1 – Gas filters performances
Type/class Gas test
Conc. (%)
A1 / A2 C H
6 12
Cl
2
B1 / B2 H S
2
HCN
E1 / E2 SO
2
K1 / K2 NH
3
CH OCH
AX
3 3
C H
4 10
Table 2 – Particle filters performances
Class
P1 / P2 / P3
To select the filtering respirators is necessary to consider the following indicators: NPF
(nominal protection factor) is the value that came from the maximum percentage of total
inward leakage allowed by the relevant European standard (NPF = 100/ % maximum
total inward leakage admitted). APF (assigned protection factor) is the level of respiratory
protection that can realistically be expected to be achieved by correctly fitted respirator (it is
different for each State). TLV (threshold limit value) is a concentration threshold - generally
expressed in parts per million, ppm – for the safety of the people exposed to dangerous
substances present in the air. During the selection of the respirator/filter you must consider
the APF factor and not the NPF factor. The APF multiplied by the TLV of the substance
gives an idea of the concentration of pollutants to which an operator can be exposed with
a specific device. In the use of gas filters do not exceed the following concentration of
pollutant: 0.1% for class 1; 0.5% for class 2 and 1% for class 3. The same advice is applied to
the combined filters (i.e. A1B1P3 or A1P2); it's necessary to select separately the particle
filter and the gas filter and identify the right combination considering the respective APF.
For the selection and maintenance of the filtering devices, for the definition and use of
APF and NPF also refer to the European Standard EN 529:2005 and to the relevant
national regulations.
Table 3- APF values for different devices
Standard Description
EN 140 Half mask
Standard Description
EN 136 Full face mask
Gas test Breakthrough Conc. Breakthrough time
(ml/m )
3
0.1 / 0.5 10 / 10
0.1 / 0.5 0.5 / 0.5
0.1 / 0.5 10 / 10
0.1 / 0.5 10 / 10
0.1 / 0.5 5 / 5
0.1 / 0.5 25 / 25
0.05 5
0.25 5
Maximum penetration (%)
NaCl
20 / 6 / 0.05 20 / 6 / 0.05
Class of filter
P1
P2
P3
Gas
Class of filter
P1
P2
P3
Gas
Applications, limitations and cautions
- BLS 200 / BLS 300 filters cannot be used in the following conditions:
- when the type and concentration of contaminant is unknown.
(min)
- when the oxygen content is lower than 17% in volume (which is often the case in
closed environments such as wells, tunnels, cisterns, etc).
70 / 35
- when the contaminant is carbon monoxide or an odourless and tasteless gas.
- when certain conditions are dangerous to the worker's health and life.
20 / 20
- For the use in potentially explosive environments respect the standards required by
40 / 40
the current safety and on-the-job injuries code
25 /25
- The filter must not be modified or altered.
- Leave the work area if the respirator becomes damaged, resulting in difficulty
20 / 20
breathing and/or faintness.
- Persons whose olfactory sense is altered shall not use filter respirators.
50 / 40
- The use of gas or combined respiratory protective devices during works with open flames or
50
liquid metal droplets may cause serious risk to the operator.
50
- AX filter shall be used only once and at the end of such period it shall be disposed of.
Filter use and maintenance
BLS 200 / BLS 300 filters must be used twin connected to BLS half masks and full face
masks. Read carefully these instructions for use and the one of the equipment (half mask
or full face mask) that is used with the filters. Two new filters are packed in a sealed
plastic bag. The filters must be used always twin; filters with a weight upper to 300 g shall
DOP
not be directly connected to half masks and filters with a weight upper to 500 g shall not
be directly connected to full face masks. Choose the filter keeping attention to the colour
and identification marking and check that the filter is of the correct type for the intended
use. Check that the filter is not expired (the expiry date is printed on all the filters; this
date shall be valid if the filter has been kept sealed within the recommended storage
conditions). The prefilters P2 NR are not subject to expiry date. Inspect both the filter
and facepiece for any breaks or damage. For the use, open the sealed packet, fit the two
filters to the filter housing on the half mask or full face mask, screwing the filter tightly.
Pay Attention: the P2 prefilters are used by being attached to gas filters positioning them
over the gas filters and fixing in place by a plastic press-fit cover (the combined filters
obtained with this coupling must be always used twin). In normal conditions of use, the
shelf life of the filter is not only due to the pollutant concentration but to many other
elements, that are difficult to be determined, such as the degree of air humidity, the air
temperature, the inspired air volume, the weariness of the worker, etc. The worker shall
leave immediately the work area and replace the filters when he starts to smell the gas
odour with gas filters or when he starts to perceive an increase of the breathing resistance
with particle filters. At the end of the work shift, the respirator shall be stored in a clean
and dry place, according to the storage conditions indicated in the user's information. The
BLS filters does not require maintenance and does not need to be cleaned, regenerated
or blown. Exhausted filters shall be replaced at the same time and dismantled according to the
National regulations also in reference to the substance that they have retained.
Storage
APF
BLS filters should be kept in their original packaging in a dry place away from sources
4
of heat at a temperature range between –10°C and 50°C and with a relative humidity
10
< 80%.
30
Marking
30
The following information's are quoted on the filter's label (except for the P2 prefilter that
is marked directly on the filter body and on the packaging)
APF
The type of packaging suitable for transporting the PPE is the sales package.
4
Bls protection devices can not be used in areas at risk of explosive atmosphere (ATEX)
15
Declarations of conformity of the products are available in the reserved area of the
400
website
www.blsgroup.it
400
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