Disposable Face Mask & Application Guide
European standard EN 149 defines the following classes of “filtering half masks” (also called “filtering face pieces”), that is respirators that are entirely or substantially constructed of filtering material:
Class | Filter penetration limit (at 95 L/min air flow) | Inward leakage |
FFP1 | Filters at least 80% of airborne particles | <22% |
FFP2 | Filters at least 94% of airborne particles | <8% |
FFP3 | Filters at least 99% of airborne particles | <2% |
Both European standard EN 143 and EN 149 test filter penetration with both dry sodium chloride and paraffin oil aerosols, after storing the filters at 70 °C and -30 °C for 24 h each. The standards also include tests on mechanical strength, breathing resistance and clogging. EN 149 also tests the inward leakage between the mask and face (ten human subjects perform five exercises each and for eight of these individuals the average measured inward leakage listed above must not be exceeded).
FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3 are different classes of respirator; they offer different levels of wearer protection. Simply put, the higher the protection factor the better the reduction to the airborne contaminant. FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3 respirators can reduce the amount of dust you breathe by factors of 4, 10 and 20 respectively.
It is important to consider the type and level of contaminants to which workers will be exposed. Once you have properly evaluated the airborne hazards in the workplace, you can begin to choose dust masks based on their FFP rating. The best dust mask for your workplace will be one that meets the appropriate FFP rating, and is comfortable and convenient for your workers.
Finding a suitable respirator is not just a matter of choosing a model you like or by the cost of it. You may need to try different makes or sizes to find one that fits without leaking around the seal and letting dust in. A respirator that depends on face fit is ineffectual if you have a beard or thick beard stubble. The only way you can know if the seal is good enough is by having a proper respirator fit test. At present this is also the only way of meeting legal requirements.
You should discard disposable respirators at the end of the shift or sooner if they are heavily contaminated. Never hang up a respirator in a dusty place for use later on.
This table is only an guide to the filter class that can be selected for a particular activitiy. It should not be used as the only means of selecting the appropriate disposable face mask for use.
If you have any questions about which disposable mask you need please contact us on 01404 43000 / 01404 44007 for advice.
Activity | Type of Particles | Filter Class |
Automotive | ||
Brush applied adhesives | Organic vapour | FFP2 Carbon |
Brush applied paints | Organic vapour | FFP2 Carbon |
Coolant mist emissions | Fine mist | FFP3 |
Finishing cured epoxy resign | Particles | FFP3 |
Fueling vehicles | Organic vapour | FFP2 Carbon |
Lead sanding | Particles | FFP3 |
Lead welding | Particles and metal fume | FFP3 |
Polyester resin hand mixing | Organic vapour | FFP3 |
Polyester resin sanding | Particles | FFP3 |
Rubbing down paintwork | Particles | FFP3 |
Spot welding | Particles and metal fume | FFP3 |
Stainless Steel Welding | Metal fumes and ozone | FFP2 Carbon |
Construction | ||
Site Preparation - Cutting / riveting | Particles | FFP2 |
Site Preparation - Demolition / groundwork | General dust / concrete dust and pigeon excreta | FFP3 |
Site Construction - Grinding | Particles | FFP2 |
Site Construction - Scabbing / shot creating | Concrete | FFP3 |
Site Construction - Tunneling | Soil / clay (general dust) | FFP3 |
Site Completion - Plastering | Particles | FFP3 |
Site Completion - Welding | Welding fume / ozone | FFP2 Carbon |
Site Completion - Woodworking | Softwood / Hardwood / MDF | FFP3 |
DIY | ||
Paint Removal - Abrasive sanding | Particles | FFP3 |
Paint Removal - Impact stripping | Particles | FFP3 |
Painting - Water based-brush / roller / spraying | Large paint droplets | FFP3 |
Sanding - Concrete and plaster | Particles | FFP3 |
Sanding - Filler | Particles | FFP3 |
Sanding - Paint | Particles | FFP2 Carbon |
Sanding - Plastics | Particles | FFP3 |
Sanding - Rust removal | Particles | FFP3 |
Sanding - Softwood / hardwood | Particles | FFP3 |
Surface Pressure Cleaning - High pressure water | Water mist | FFP3 |
Food & Beverage | ||
Flour Production | ||
Flour bagging | Flour dust | FFP3 |
Grain Handling | Grain dust | FFP3 |
Milling (grinding down from wheat) | Flour dust | FFP3 |
Silos / flour lofts / stores / production | Flour dust | FFP3 |
Bakeries-Ingredients / Dispensing | ||
Bag opening and tipping | Flour dust | FFP3 |
Dough mixing | Flour dust | FFP3 |
Filling up flour dusters on production lines | Flour dust | FFP3 |
Filling vats / hoppers | Flour dust | FFP3 |
Sampling for QA / lab work | Flour dust | FFP2 |
Sieving-mechanical | Flour dust | FFP3 |
Surface dusting | Flour dust | FFP3 |
Weighing and dispensing | Flour dust | FFP3 |
Bakeries-Hygiene | ||
Dispensing ingredients | Flour dust | FFP3 |
Mixers / roll plants | Flour dust | FFP3 |
Silos / flour lofts / stores / production | Flour dust | FFP3 |
Brewing | ||
Dispensing / handling | Grain / Malt dust | FFP3 |
Filtration | Diatomaceous earth | FFP3 |
General Food Processing | ||
Dockyards / Bulk grain handling | Grain dust | FFP3 |
Fish farms-shellfish preparation | Protein mist | FFP3 |
Fish farms-fish gutting and preparation | Protein mist | FFP3 |
Food processing-grinding / handling / weighing / mixing | Spice particles | FFP3 |
Food processing-handling / weighing / mixing | Food additives (enzymes) | FFP3 |
Local Authority | ||
Direct Labour Departments and Garage Workshops | ||
Clutch and brake fitting | - | FFP3 |
Welding | - | FFP2 Carbon |
Boilermen | ||
Cleaning flues etc (not oxygen deficient atmosphere) | - | FFP3 |
Asbestos Squads | ||
Asbestos inspection (not stripping) | - | FFP3 |
Joiners | ||
Hardwood / softwood dusts and MDG | - | FFP3 |
Varnishes and wood treatments | - | FFP2 Carbon |
Builders | ||
Cutting slabs | - | FFP3 |
Loft work (man made mineral fibres/glass fibre) | - | FFP3 |
Soot removal | - | FFP3 |
Housing Departments | ||
Cleaning properties e.g. after fires | - | FFP3 |
Clearing properties (bird excreta) | - | FFP3 |
Infestation Squads | ||
Water based spray | - | FFP3 |
Planning Departments | ||
Model making | - | FFP3 |
Museums / Art Galleries | ||
Dust hazards-Taxidermy and general dust | - | FFP3 |
Stone Grinding | - | FFP3 |
Marine | ||
Brightwork welding | Metal fume & ozone | FFP2 Carbon |
Glassfibre sanding | Particulate | FFP3 |
GRP polishing | Particulate | FFP3 |
Metal grinding | Particulate | FFP3 |
Wood sanding | Particulate | FFP3 |
Welding | ||
Any process | With either leading or non leading paint | FFP2 Carbon |
Arc air gouging | Mild Steel | FFP3 |
Flux core | Mild Steel | FFP3 |
Flux core | Stainless steel / Aluminium / Copper Galvanised zinc / Cadmium plate and Ozone | FFP2 Carbon |
Gas welding | Any metal | FFP3 |
MIG/MAG | Mild Steel | FFP3 |
MMA | Mild Steel | FFP3 |
MMA | Stainless steel / Aluminium / Copper Galvanised zinc / Cadmium plate and Ozone | FFP2 Carbon |
TIG | Mild Steel | FFP3 |
TIG | Stainless steel / Aluminium / Copper Galvanised zinc / Cadmium plate and Ozone | FFP2 Carbon |
Metal Working | ||
Brush applied adhesives | Solvent vapour | FFP2 Carbon |
Brush applied paint | Solvent vapour | FFP2 Carbon |
Finishing | Particles | FFP3 |
Finishing cured epoxy resins | Particles | FFP3 |
Grinding | Particles | FFP3 |
Machining | Fluids (Oil, mist) | FFP3 |
Molten Metal Handling | Fine particles & metal fume | FFP3 |
Polishing | Particles | FFP3 |
Polyester resign-hand mixing | Particles and solvent vapour | FFP3 |
Powder coating | Particles | FFP3 |
Rubbing Down | Particles | FFP3 |
Woodworking | ||
Hardwoods, Soft woods and MDF - Cutting | Particles | FFP3 |
Hardwoods, Soft woods and MDF - Routing | Particles | FFP3 |
Hardwoods, Soft woods and MDF - Sanding | Particles | FFP3 |
Paint Removal - Abrasive stripping | Particles | FFP3 |
Paint Removal - Impact stripping | Particles | FFP3 |
Surface Coatings - Water based paint-brush / roller | Mist and solvent vapour | FFP2 Carbon |
Timber Treatment - Water based containing copper or chrome | Mist and solvent vapour | FFP2 Carbon |