Product standards for masks and filters
| Standard | Subject | More |
|---|---|---|
| EN 149 | Filtering half masks against particles (FFP1, FFP2, FFP3, marking NR, R, D) | EN 149 explained |
| EN 140 | Half masks and quarter masks as face piece for filters, for example the half mask AG360 | Half mask AG360 |
| EN 136 | Full face masks as face piece for filters, for example the full-face mask AG700 | Full-face mask AG700 |
| EN 143 | Particle filters for respiratory protective devices, for example P3 | Particle filters P3 |
| EN 14387 | Gas filters and combined filters (types A, B, E, K and classes) | Filter classes and colour codes |
| EN ISO 9001 | Quality management systems: requirements (certification of the company, not a product test) | ISO 9001 explained |
Regulations and rule sets
| Rule set | What it is about | More |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation (EU) 2016/425 | The PPE Regulation: requirements for manufacturers, categories, conformity assessment, CE marking | EU type-examination explained |
| DGUV Rule 112-190 | Use of respiratory protective devices: protection level (multiple of the limit value), fit, wearing time, instruction | Respiratory protection duties |
| German Hazardous Substances Ordinance (GefStoffV) | Order of protective measures: technical and organisational measures before personal protective equipment | Respiratory protection duties |
| TRGS 900 | Workplace exposure limits | Workplace exposure limit AGW |
| TRGS 528 | Welding work | Respiratory protection for welding |
| TRGS 553 | Wood dust | Respiratory protection for wood dust |
| TRGS 559 | Quartz-containing dust (assessment benchmark 0.05 mg/m³) | Respiratory protection for quartz dust |
| TRBA/TRGS 406 | Respiratory sensitisers, for example flour dust | Flour and feed dust |
| ArbMedVV, AMR 14.2, G 26 | Occupational health care, classification of respiratory protective devices in groups | G 26 and health care |
| PPE Use Ordinance (PSA-BV) | Employer duties for selecting, providing and using PPE | Respiratory protection duties |
Technical terms from A to Z
| Term | Meaning | More |
|---|---|---|
| A1, A2 (type A) | Gas filter against organic gases and vapours with boiling point above 65 °C, colour brown. The digit gives the class. | Respiratory protection for solvents |
| Type B, E, K | B: inorganic gases (grey), E: acid gases (yellow), K: ammonia and amines (green) | Chlorine and acids, Ammonia |
| P3 | Particle filter with the highest retention level, colour white | Filter classes and colour codes |
| Gas filter class 1 | Gas filter with small capacity, according to the AirGuard Pro instructions for use up to 0.1 vol.% (1,000 ml/m³). Higher classes: see the instructions for use of the filter. | Filter classes and colour codes |
| AGW (workplace exposure limit) | Concentration of a substance in the air that according to current knowledge generally does not harm with daily exposure. It is listed in TRGS 900. | Workplace exposure limit AGW |
| Protection level, multiple of the limit value | How many times the limit value a device is permitted for at most: FFP1 4, FFP2 10, FFP3 and half mask 30, full-face mask 400 (DGUV Rule 112-190) | FFP1, FFP2, FFP3 |
| NR, R, D | NR not reusable, R reusable, D dolomite clogging test passed | EN 149 explained |
| Category III | Highest PPE category for risks of irreversible harm or death, for example respiratory protection against hazardous substances. Requires a notified body. | EU type-examination explained |
| Notified body | Testing and certification body listed by the European Commission with a four-digit identification number, for AirGuard Pro CCQS (2834). The list is in NANDO. | Certificate after a change of address |
| Module B, C2, D | Conformity assessment procedures: B is the EU type examination, C2 and D add monitoring of production (category III) | EU type-examination explained |
| EU declaration of conformity | Declaration of the manufacturer that the PPE meets the requirements of the regulation. It has to be kept up to date. | Data sheets |
| Face seal, fit test | Tight fit of the face piece on the face. The fit test checks qualitatively (smell, taste) or quantitatively (instrument). | Face fit testing |
| Wearing time, duration of use | Time a device is used continuously, followed by recovery. Guide values are given in DGUV Rule 112-190. | Wearing time and recovery |
| Bayonet, RD40 | Two filter connections: bayonet on the half mask AG360, round thread RD40 on the full-face mask AG700 | Bayonet or RD40 |
If you know which substance you need protection from, the respirator finder leads to the matching combination. All documents for the items are under Data sheets.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between EN 149 and EN 143?
EN 149 covers filtering half masks (FFP masks) in which the filter material forms the mask. EN 143 covers particle filters connected to a face piece such as a half or full-face mask.
What does EN 14387 stand for?
Gas filters and combined filters. It defines types (A, B, E, K) and classes, for example A1B1E1K1.
What does category III mean for PPE?
It is the highest PPE category under Regulation (EU) 2016/425. Respiratory protection against hazardous substances belongs to it. A notified body examines the design and production is monitored.
What is an AGW?
The workplace exposure limit, the concentration of a substance in the air that according to current knowledge generally does not harm with daily exposure. It is listed in TRGS 900.
Where do I find the full text of a standard?
Standards are paid for, for example at Beuth Verlag. Rule sets such as DGUV Rules and TRGS are free from DGUV and BAuA.
Sources
- DGUV Rule 112-190 “Use of respiratory protective devices” (Germany), November 2021 edition
- Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on personal protective equipment
- TRGS 900 Workplace exposure limits (BAuA, Germany)
- Hazardous Substances Ordinance (GefStoffV, Germany)
- PPE Use Ordinance (PSA-BV, Germany)
- Ordinance on Occupational Health Care (ArbMedVV, Germany), annex
- AMR 14.2 “Classification of respiratory protective devices into groups” (BAuA, Germany)
- TRGS 528 Welding work (BAuA, Germany)
- TRGS 553 Wood dust (BAuA, Germany)
- TRGS 559 Quartz-containing dust (BAuA, Germany)
- TRBA/TRGS 406 Respiratory sensitisers (BAuA, Germany)
- NANDO: database of notified bodies (European Commission)
- Instructions for use and data sheets of the AirGuard Pro products
