Filter category
Respiratory filters are divided into two categories, the particle filters and the gas filters. In addition, there are combination filters that provide protection against gases and particles.
Particle filters are available in three different classes (P1, P2, P3). The classification is based on the total leakage for filtering half masks and otherwise on the maximum exceedance of the occupational exposure limit. These maximum limits are higher for full face masks than for half masks. Particle filters only protect against particles, not against gases and vapors.
Gas filters are divided into different gas filter types depending on the group of substances (e.g. “ammonia”, “organic gases and vapors”, “low boilers”). Here, too, there are three different performance classes. Gas filters only protect against gases and vapors, not against particles.
Combination filters consist of a gas filter and a particle filter. They are used when gases or vapors and particles (suspended matter) are present at the same time (e.g. during firefighting operations, paint spraying, spray bonding).
Als ABC-Schutz bezeichnet man den Schutz vor atomaren, biologischen und chemischen Gefahren einschließlich ABC-Waffen oder Gefahrgutunfällen, beispielsweise direkt durch ABC-Schutzmasken, Schutzräume und Bunkeranlagen, aber auch weiter gefasst durch Abspüren gefährdeter und Abgrenzen kontaminierter Bereiche.