PUREFLO FAQ

Use our FAQ Hub to easily access our most-asked questions. Can’t find an answer here? Please contact us or reach out to your local distributor. If you still need help, no problem! You can call us at this number: 888-894-1755 Our dedicated team is ready to assist you.

 
Jump to Topic

General Questions

What does PAPR stand for?

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, occlusive 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. Learn more about PureFlo’s products and capabilities here.

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.

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 from the date of manufacture.

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.

 

PureFlo 3000 NIOSH

What type of respirator is the PureFlo 3000?

The PureFlo 3000 is a loose-fitting, all-in-one powered air purifying respirator (also referred to as a PAPR) that provides integrated respiratory, face, head, and eye protection, with the option for hearing protection.

The PureFlo 3000 is an all-in-one head mounted PAPR with integrated protection approved to the following standards:

Respiratory Protection:
NIOSH 42CFR84, CSA standard Z94.4

Head Protection (Hard Hat):
ANSI/ISEA Z89.1:2014 Type 1 Class G

Face Shield/Eye Protection:
ANSI/ISEA Z87.1:2015 Impact Rated (Z87+)

Environmental Protection:
IP54 (In Use) IP55 (Cleaning); IEC 60509:1989

The PureFlo 3000 is approved to NIOSH 42CFR84, CSA standard Z94.4 with an APF of 25 and 1000 when used with the Overhood.

The PureFlo 3000 has an APF of 25 (per OSHA assigned protection factor, federal register notice 71:50121-50192, dated 8/24/2006), and an APF of 1000 with Overhood.

The PureFlo 3000 uses HEPA filters (High Efficiency Particulate Air) to provide respiratory protection against airborne particulates.

 

PureFlo 3000 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 3000 monitor the filter and batteries.

The LED indicator on the unit will turn Red (instead of Green) alerting the worker when the filter is loaded and/or the batteries are low.

The HEPA filter on the PureFlo 3000 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 3000 PAPRs have shown to keep user blood lead levels to an acceptable level.

The PureFlo 3000 has a HEPA filter that is suitable for particulates only.

A pre-filter captures large particulates before they enter the main filter. This helps to extend the lifespan of the main filter and the PAPR.

Odor pre-filters have activated carbon cloth to provide the ability to remove low-level odors.

 

The PureFlo 3000 comes in four different variants, weights are shown below for each unit:

  • PureFlo 3000 Hard Hat – 3.3 lbs
  • PureFlo 3000 Welding – 3.6 lbs
  • PureFlo 3000 Open Frame & Clear Visor – 1.9 lbs & 2.1 lbs
  • PureFlo 3000 Open Frame & Respiratory Hood – 2.1 1lbs 

The air flow rate on the PureFlo 3000 is 220 L/min (170L/min minimum) : 7.8 CFM (6 CFM Minimum) 

The PureFlo 3000 has 220 l/min initial flow rate and the LED indicator will turn Red instead of Green when it reaches its minimum requirement of 170 l/min. 

The helmet on the PureFlo 3000 is constructed from ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic.

The PureFlo 3000 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+)

 

Yes, the visor can be purchased as a spare part. The visor simply unclips from the face shield, and a new visor is easily inserted. Learn more in our How-to Video..

The PureFlo 3000 is supplied with two Lithium-Ion batteries. Only one is used to operate the unit; the second is a spare.

 

Each battery will last between 4 – 5 hours.

 

If you work on the assumption that the battery is fully used and recharged in an ambient temperature of 71.6⁰F (22⁰C) every day, it is estimated that the battery would need to be replaced after 500 days or just over 15 months.

The batteries will take 2 hours to fully charge.

 

We would recommend that when charging the batteries you do not leave them in the charger for longer than is necessary.

 

There are four LED battery indicators.

  • LED 1 flashing red indicates the temperature is too low or too high for charging, or that the battery has failed.
  • When LED 1 is solid red the battery is charging.
  • As the battery charges LED 2, 3, and 4 will light sequentially solid green until fully charged.
  • If LED 1 flashes red, and LED 4 flashes green at the same time, the battery has failed.

Learn more in our How-to Video.

The PureFlo 3000 uses Lithium-Ion 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 3000 can be cleaned with a damp cloth or an alcohol-based wipe. The 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 How-To 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 3000 is a loose-fitting all-in-one PAPR that provides respiratory protection without the need for a tight faceseal. No face fit testing is required.

 

Yes, the PureFlo 3000 range has a PAPR with welding ADF lens, ideal for use in welding applications such as:

  • Grinding (with Grind button to adjust shade)
  • Torch cutting
  • Oxylancing
  • Arc gouging

Learn more in our welding overview video.

The PureFlo 3000 Welding unit is designed to protect users from the breathing hazards associated specifically with welding and metal fabrication. Please refer to your own risk assessment for exact details of the contaminants present in your working environment.

 

UV/IR Protection: Permanent Shade DIN 16, Light state: Shade DIN 3. Variable shade: 4-8/8-12. You can learn more about the welding configuration in our YouTube “How To” video.

 

The viewing window measures 98 x 62 mm / 3.86” x 2.5”

 

Our respirator hoods are made from Tychem® QC.

Tychem® QC consists of a durable Tyvek® substrate quality- coated with polyethylene. Rugged and durable, Tychem® QC is a tough barrier fabric that resists punctures and tears. 

This is dependent on the type of contamination present and if your individual hygiene protocol mandates this. However, it is generally recommended 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 3000 with Respirator Hood, please see our ‘How To’ video.

No, we recommend a clean down after each application.

The PureFlo 3000 hood is constructed from a fabric that is not acid-resistant.

No, the PureFlo 3000 has not been submitted for FM approvals. The ESM and ESM+ are Class 1, Div 2.

The Pureflo 3000 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.

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.

Shopping Cart
Scroll to Top