Gas mask for emergency teams and civil protection
Company emergency staff and civil protection volunteers must be able to get away, or help others do so, when a substance nobody expected is released. That calls for a filter covering many gas families at once.
Escape and rescue
A filter is for leaving a contaminated area or working at the edge of an emergency, where oxygen is normal. Inside a dense cloud, in a flooded room or near the source you need self-contained breathing apparatus.
Eruptions and volcanic ash
In volcanic areas ash is fine particulate (P3) and volcanic gases contain sulphur dioxide, an acid gas (E). ABEK2 P3 covers both.
TR 2002 CL3 and fires
The TR 2002 CL3 masks are class 3: the face piece resists flame and radiant heat. But no filter protects from fire smoke, which contains carbon monoxide and may lack oxygen. Entering a fire requires breathing apparatus; the CL3 is useful precisely because it also fits negative-pressure apparatus with an EN 148-1 connector.
The filter to start from
ABEK2 P3Spasciani 203 A2B2E2K2P3
When you do not know what is in the air, ABEK2 P3 covers organic vapours, inorganic gases, acid gases, ammonia and particles in one filter.
The filter shown is a starting point: the substance's safety data sheet, and at work the risk assessment, have the final word.
Other jobs
Limits and warnings
- Carbon monoxide, oxygen below 17% and high or unknown concentrations: the filter does not protect.
- Try the mask on and wear it in training, not for the first time in an emergency.
- Keep the spare filter sealed and check the expiry date printed on the casing.