Respiratory Protective Devices

Are your respiratory protective devices built to a Standard?

The health and safety of people in situations where ambient (or outdoor) air quality is poor should always be a priority. Proper equipment that is built to Standard uses best practice design to significantly reduce the impact of poor air quality to your health.

Whether this exposure is due to certain work risks, high levels of pollution or even events outside of your control including natural disasters (e.g. bushfires), it's important to know that your RPD is serving its purpose.

Not only are poor air quality conditions hazardous to most people, some individuals and groups may feel the effects more than others, including older adults and those who have existing respiratory conditions.

Here are four important Standards which set out the requirements for manufacturing and testing Respiratory Protective Devices, designed to keep you safe in hazardous conditions: 

1. AS/NZS 1716:2012 Respiratory Protective Devices

    

   This Standard specifies requirements, performance and testing criteria for the manufacture of RPDs. AS/NZS 1716:2012 focuses on providing protection against harmful substances in the atmosphere when breathed in, as well as atmospheres that may lack enough oxygen.

    

2. AS/NZS 1715:2009 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment

    

   With the workplace, hazardous conditions must be met with personal protective equipment to control and minimise dangerous health effects. AS/NZS 1715:2009 sets out requirements and guidelines for respiratory protection through the selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) in the workplace. 

    

3. I.S. EN 13274-2:2019 Respiratory protective devices - Methods of test - Part 2: Practical performance tests

    

   I.S. EN 13274-2:2019 specifies practical performance tests for RPDs (not including diving devices), to help assess properties and functions of the device when used in simulated practical use, which cannot be assessed by tests described in other Standards. 

    

   Whether you need respiratory protective devices for the workplace to ensure occupational health and safety, or the air quality of your current environment has reached harmful levels, ensure your equipment meets the requirements it should.