Below are answers to frequently asked questions from our customers. Can't find an answer here? Please contact your local distributor or reach out to our team.
| PureFlo ESM+ PF60 - NIOSH Certified General |
PureFlo ESM+ PF60 - NIOSH Certified Welding | PureFlo ESM+ PF60 - NIOSH Certified Respiratory Neck Cape | PureFlo ESM+ PF60 - NIOSH Certified Nuclear |
General PAPR
Powered Air Purifying Respirator
PAPRs, where applicable, offer the user an alternative to tight-fitting respirators, thus eliminating the need for fit testing and associated costs. PAPRs also provide the comfort of moving filtered positive pressure airflow to help the user breathe easier during work activity. PureFlo brand PAPRs have the added bonus of having no cumbersome waist belts or hoses, plus options for complete respiratory, head, eye, and face protection combined.
A head-mounted PAPR is free of cumbersome waist belts and hoses, thus providing more freedom of movement and less risk of snagging on other equipment. The motor, filter, and batteries are all located within the head top of the head-mounted PAPR system. Waist-mounted PAPRs have the motor blower, filters, and batteries located on a belt. The air is filtered at the waist and delivered through a hose into the headtop.
The majority of PAPRs are loose-fitting systems, which do not require fit testing. Generally only PAPRs with a tight-fitting, acclusive mask would require a fit test.
Positive pressure is air fed into the headtop at a rate that keeps the air pressure within at a positive flow rate level at all times. Negative pressure respirators require a tight fit, as the user is required to breathe air into the respirator through a filter and without the assistance of battery-powered airflow.
PAPRs tend to be a matter of choice based on the hazards that are present for the tasks at hand. The breathing hazards, comfort level within tasks, and other protective needs such as face and head protection all play a part in the decision-making for what PAPR is right for you.
PureFlo ESM+ PF50 - NIOSH Certified
General
The PureFlo ESM+ PF50 is a loose fitting, self-contained head mounted powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) designed for light duty industries including pharmaceutical and healthcare.
The PureFlo ESM+ PF50 is currently undergoing evaluation for approval to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres.
The PureFlo ESM+ PF50 is an all-in-one head mounted PAPR with integrated respiratory, eye and face protection approved to the following standards:
- Respiratory Protection: NIOSH 42CFR84, CSA standard Z94.4-11
- Face Shield/Eye Protection: ANSI/ISEA Z87.1:2020 Impact Rated (Z87+)
- Environmental Protection: IP54 (In Use) IP55 (Cleaning); IEC 60509:1989
The PureFlo ESM+ PF50 is approved to NIOSH 42CFR84, CSA standard Z94.4-11
The PureFlo ESM+ PF50 has an APF of 1000 when used with a neck cape (double or single bib) and an APF of 25 with a face seal (per OSHA assigned protection factor, federal register notice 71:50121-50192, dated 8/24/2006)
The meaning of APF, as defined by OSHA, is the workplace level of respiratory protection that a respirator or class of respirators is expected to provide to employees when the employer implements a continuing, effective respiratory protection program as specified by OSHA. Or, an APF is a term used by OSHA to determine how well a respirator/filter combination will protect an individual from external contaminants. It is an estimate of the level of protection a respirator provides.
The meaning of MUC as defined by OSHA is the maximum atmospheric concentration of a hazardous substance from which an employee can be expected to be protected when wearing a respirator, and is determined by the assigned protection factor of the respirator or class of respirators and the exposure limit of the hazardous substance. The MUC can usually be determined mathematically by multiplying the assigned protection factor specified for a respirator by the permissible exposure limit (PEL), short-term exposure limit, ceiling limit, peak limit, or any other exposure limit used for the hazardous substance.
The PureFlo ESM+ PF50 uses a HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air) to provide respiratory protection against airborne particulates and certain gases.
The PureFlo ESM+ PF50 HEPA filters are designed to remove 99.97% of airborne particles of 0.3 microns or greater in diameter.
Filter life depends on several factors: concentration levels of the dust or particulate in the area, particle size, humidity, etc. The electronics in the PureFlo ESM+ PF50 monitor the filter and batteries.
The LED indicator on the unit will turn Red (instead of Green), together with an audio alarm, alerting the worker when the filter is loaded (fast tone) and/or the batteries are low (slow tone). Please refer to the User Instructions for full details.
Once the HEPA filter is opened, it should be changed within 6 months regardless if it has been used or not. Even when the cartridge filter is not in use, but is unsealed, it will continue to absorb contaminants from the environment.
If the filter is unopened, and safely stored in line with the manufacturer's instructions, they have a shelf life of up to 5 years.
Filters cannot be cleaned as this may damage the filter media, resulting in a loss of protection. It is highly recommended that a change-out schedule is in operation so you are aware of when each cartridge needs to be replaced.
The HEPA filter on the PureFlo ESM+ PF50 will give the protection required to protect from crystalline silica dust.
No, the asbestos standard does not allow the use of loose-fitting respirators to be used inside the containment area.
Airborne lead protection factors while using the PureFlo ESM+ PF50 PAPRs have shown to keep user blood lead levels to an acceptable level.
The PureFlo ESM+ PF50 has a HEPA filter that is suitable for particulates only and a HE/HF/HC High filter cartridge that provides full HEPA protection plus protection against Hydrogen Flouride (HF) and Hydrogen Chloride (HC).
PureFlo ESM+ PF50 complete with batteries and filter = 3.657 lbs
The air flow rate on the PureFlo ESM+ PF50 8.1 CFM or 230 Liters/Min
Depending on which filter is used the air flow rate starts at a minimum of 210l/min (7 CFM) and, as is to be expected, will decrease as the unit is used and as the filters become contaminated. In accordance with the current legislation the unit will alert the user when the rate drops to approximately 180l/min (6 CFM).
The helmet on the PureFlo ESM+ PF50 is constructed from ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic.
The PureFlo ESM+ PF50 helmet has an in-use life of up to 5 years from the date of issue to the user (i.e. removal from storage). It is recommended that it is replaced after 5 years, or if the helmet is involved in an accident. Please also note that excessive wear and tear, together with use in extreme environments, can considerably reduce the lifespan of the hard hat.
ANSI/ISEA Z87.1:2015 Impact Rated (Z87+) ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2020
Yes, the visor can be purchased as spare part. Please refer to the User Instructions or the Basic Instructions video for further information.
The PureFlo ESM+ PF50 is supplied with two Nickel Metal Hydride 6v batteries, 2.2 Ah per pack.
The battery duration is up to 7 hours with two batteries fitted.
Working on the assumption that the battery is fully used and recharged in an ambient temperature of 22⁰c every day, it is estimated that the battery would need to be replaced after 500 days or approximately 15 months.
The batteries will take 2.5 hours to fully charge.
When the battery is fully charged the LED changes to green indicating that the battery is now in "trickle charge" mode and the batteries can be left in the charger until required.
The battery charger contains an LED display. When the LED changes to "Green" the battery is fully charged and now in "Trickle Charge " mode. For all other charging stages, please refer to the "Battery Charging and Installation" section in the User Instructions.
The PureFlo ESM+ PF50 uses Nickel Metal Hydride 6v batteries that do not have a charge memory. That means deep-discharge cycles are not required. In fact, it's better for the battery to use partial-discharge cycles.
Yes, the PureFlo ESM+ PF50 can be cleaned with a damp cloth or an alcohol-based wipe. Purewipes (PR02054SP) are recommended for this purpose. However, DO NOT submerge the unit in water as this will damage the unit's electronics. For more information regarding cleaning the unit then please see our "Basic Instructions for Use" video.
Yes, self-adhesive stickers can be placed on the hard hat shell. However, please ensure that the adhesives on the stickers do not negatively affect the safety performance provided by the hard hat.
The PureFlo ESM+ PF50 is a loose-fitting all-in-one PAPR that provides respiratory protection without any requirement for face fit testing prior to use.
Welding
The PureFlo ESM+ PF50 is not designed for welding, however, the PureFlo ESM+ PF60 PAPR is available with a welding bucket and optional ADF lens.
Respiratory Neck Cape
This is dependent on the type of contamination present and if your individual hygiene protocol mandates this. However it is generally recommend that the hood can be cleaned / decontaminated after each application.
We recommend the use of our Purewipes product (PR02054SP) for wiping down the respirator and respirator hood. However, any disinfectant wipes/solutions used in the healthcare setting should be fine to use on our respirators.
For further instructions on how to clean the PureFlo ESM+ with Respirator Hood or neck capes, please see our ‘Basic Instructions for Use' video.
The PureFlo ESM+PF50 has not been cleared or approved by the FDA for use as a medical device in surgical settings.
The recommended operating altitude range is sea level to 2,600 feet.
Yes, the constant flow of fresh air across the visor eliminates fogging.
Nuclear
PureFlo PAPRs work well within industrial nuclear settings such as nuclear power plant outages, decommissioning sites, nuclear DOE research/production facilities, military bases, nuclear waste storage and/or recycling facilities.
The PureFlo brand PAPRs are all head-mounted, which makes for easy and fast donning and doffing. Additionally, the use of our quick decon overhoods makes decontamination simple and fast thus saving any nuclear customer significant time for every use and every cleaning. Time is money, and PureFlo helps nuclear customers make substantial savings.
PureFlo ESM+ PF60 PAPR - NIOSH Certified
General
The PureFlo ESM+ PF60 is a self-contained head-mounted powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) designed for use in medium and heavy-duty industries including nuclear, welding, smelting, construction, and metal construction.
The ESM+ PF60 is currently undergoing evaluation for approval to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres.
The PureFlo ESM+ PF60 is an all-in-one head-mounted PAPR with integrated respiratory, head, eye, and face protection approved to the following standards:
- Respiratory Protection: NIOSH 42CFR84, CSA standard Z94.4-11
- Head Protection ANSI Z89.1 Type 1 Class G
- Face Shield/Eye Protection: ANSI/ISEA Z87.1:2020 Impact Rated (Z87+)
- Environmental Protection: IP54 (In Use) IP55 (Cleaning); IEC 60509:1989
The PureFlo ESM+ PF60 is approved to NIOSH 42CFR84, CSA standard Z94.4-11
The PureFlo ESM+ PF60 has an APF of 1000 when used with a neck cape and an APF of 25 with a face seal (per OSHA assigned protection factor, federal register notice 71:50121-50192, dated 8/24/2006)
The meaning of APF, as defined by OSHA, is the workplace level of respiratory protection that a respirator or class of respirators is expected to provide to employees when the employer implements a continuing, effective respiratory protection program as specified by OSHA. Or, an APF is a term used by OSHA to determine how well a respirator/filter combination will protect an individual from external contaminants. It is an estimate of the level of protection a respirator provides.
The meaning of MUC as defined by OSHA is the maximum atmospheric concentration of a hazardous substance from which an employee can be expected to be protected when wearing a respirator, and is determined by the assigned protection factor of the respirator or class of respirators and the exposure limit of the hazardous substance. The MUC can usually be determined mathematically by multiplying the assigned protection factor specified for a respirator by the permissible exposure limit (PEL), short-term exposure limit, ceiling limit, peak limit, or any other exposure limit used for the hazardous substance.
The PureFlo ESM+ PF60 uses HEPA (HE) or HEPA/HF/HC Nuisance OV filters to provide respiratory protection against airborne particulates and certain gases.
The PureFlo ESM+ PF60 HEPA filters are designed to remove 99.97% of airborne particles of 0.3 microns or greater in diameter.
Filter life depends on several factors; concentration levels of the dust or particulate in the area, particle size, humidity, etc. The electronics in the PureFlo ESM+ PF60 monitor the filter and batteries.
The LED indicator on the unit will turn Red (instead of Green), together with an audio alarm, alerting the worker when the filter is loaded (fast tone) and/or the batteries are low (slow tone). Please refer to the User Instructions for full details.
Once the HEPA filter is opened, it should be changed within 6 months regardless if it has been used or not. Even when the cartridge filter is not in use, but is unsealed, it will continue to absorb contaminants from the environment.
If the filter is unopened, and safely stored in line with the manufacturer's instructions, they have a shelf life of up to 5 years.
Filters cannot be cleaned as this may damage the filter media, resulting in a loss of protection. It is highly recommended that a change-out schedule is in operation so you are aware of when each cartridge needs to be replaced.
The HEPA filter on the PureFlo ESM+ PF60 will give the protection required to protect from crystalline silica dust.
No, the asbestos standard does not allow the use of loose-fitting respirators to be used inside the containment area.
Airborne lead protection factors while using the PureFlo ESM+ PF60 PAPRs have shown to keep user blood lead levels to an acceptable level.
The PureFlo ESM+ PF60 has a HEPA filter that is suitable for particulates only and a HE/HF/HC High filter cartridge that provides full HEPA protection plus protection against Hydrogen Flouride (HF) and Hydrogen Chloride (HC).
ESM+ PF60 complete w/ batteries and filter = 3.657 lbs
The air flow rate on the PureFlo ESM+ PF60 is 8.1 CFM or 230 Liters/Min
Depending on which filter is used the air flow rate starts at a minimum of 210l/min (7 CFM) and, as is to be expected, will decrease as the unit is used and as the filters become contaminated. In accordance with the current legislation the unit will alert the user when the rate drops to approximately 180l/min (6 CFM).
The helmet on the PureFlo ESM+ PF60 is constructed from ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic.
The PureFlo ESM+ PF60 helmet has an in-use life of up to 5 years from the date of issue to the user (i.e. removal from storage). It is recommended that it is replaced after 5 years, or if the helmet is involved in an accident. Please also note that excessive wear and tear, together with use in extreme environments, can considerably reduce the lifespan of the hard hat.
ANSI/ISEA Z87.1:2015 Impact Rated (Z87+) ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2020
Yes, the visor can be purchased as a spare part. Please refer to the User Instructions or the 'Basic Instructions for Use' video for further information.
The PureFlo ESM+ PF60 is supplied with two Nickel Metal Hydride 6v batteries, 2.2 Ah per pack.
The battery duration is up to 7 hours with two batteries fitted.
Working on the assumption that the battery is fully used and recharged in an ambient temperature of 22⁰c every day, it is estimated that the battery would need to be replaced after 500 days or approximately 15 months.
The batteries will take 2.5 hours to fully charge.
When the battery is fully charged the LED changes to green indicating that the battery is now in "trickle charge" mode and the batteries can be left in the charger until required.
The battery charger contains an LED display. When the LED changes to "Green" the battery is fully charged and now in "Trickle Charge " mode. For all other charging stages, please refer to the "Battery Charging and Installation" section in the User Instructions.
The PureFlo ESM+ PF60 uses Nickel Metal Hydride 6v batteries that do not have a charge memory. That means deep-discharge cycles are not required. In fact, it's better for the battery to use partial-discharge cycles.
Yes, the PureFlo ESM+ PF60 can be cleaned with a damp cloth or an alcohol-based wipe. Purewipes (PR02054SP) are recommended for this purpose. However, DO NOT submerge the unit in water as this will damage the unit's electronics. For more information regarding cleaning the unit please see our "Basic Instructions for Use" video.
Certain types of stickers can be affixed onto the hard hat shell but only those stipulated by the manufacturer, as some of the adhesive used on the stickers will have been tested for suitability with their hard hat. If you simply place any sticker onto a hard hat you run the risk that you could reduce the structural strength of the hard hat.
The PureFlo ESM+ PF60 is a loose-fitting all-in-one PAPR that provides respiratory protection without any requirement for face fit testing prior to use.
Welding
The PureFlo ESM+ PF60 is available with a welding bucket and optional ADF lens.
Respiratory Neck Cape
This is dependent on the type of contamination present and if your individual hygiene protocol mandates this. However it is generally recommend that the hood can be cleaned / decontaminated after each application.
We recommend the use of our Purewipes product (PR02054SP) for wiping down the respirator and respirator hood. However, any disinfectant wipes/solutions used in the healthcare setting should be fine to use on our respirators.
For further instructions on how to clean the PureFlo ESM+ with Respirator Hood or neck capes, please see our ‘Basic Instructions for Use' video.
The PureFlo ESM+ PF60 has not been cleared or approved by the FDA for use as a medical device in surgical settings.
The recommended operating altitude range is sea level to 2,600 feet.
Yes, the constant flow of fresh air across the visor eliminates fogging.
Nuclear
PureFlo PAPRs work well within industrial nuclear settings such as nuclear power plant outages, decommissioning sites, nuclear DOE research/production facilities, military bases, nuclear waste storage and/or recycling facilities.
The PureFlo brand PAPRs are all head-mounted, which makes for easy and fast donning and doffing. Additionally, the use of our quick decon overhoods makes decontamination simple and fast thus saving any nuclear customer significant time for every use and every cleaning. Time is money, and PureFlo helps nuclear customers make substantial savings.