Safety equipment
Respiratory protection
Respiratory protection stops airborne dust, fume, aerosol and gas being inhaled. Filtering half masks are classified under EN 149 as FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3; the class indicates filtration efficiency.
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- Standards
- EN 149
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A tight face seal matters more than the class. Air leaking around the edge bypasses the filter, and beards or the wrong size are the most common causes.
Dust masks are useless against gas and vapour; exposure to those requires a half or full face mask with a filter matched to the substance. Filter type and change intervals are planned against exposure.
Respiratory protection begins with identifying the contaminant and the oxygen level. Filtering masks only remove what their filter is rated for and never work in oxygen-deficient atmospheres; those require supplied air. Getting this distinction wrong is the most dangerous error in personal protective equipment.
A tight-fitting mask only works with a seal, and a seal is not possible over facial hair. Fit testing and a daily user seal check are what turn the equipment into actual protection, and both should be written into the procedure rather than left to habit.
Products in this group
- FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3 class options
- Valved and unvalved models
- Half face and full face mask systems
- Filter type selected against exposure
- Bulk supply and stock planning
Related standards
1 Standard
Filtering half masks (FFP)
Products in this group
08- FFP2 mask
- FFP3 mask
- Valved dust mask
- Half face gas mask
- Full face gas mask
- Gas filter
- Particulate filter
- Welding respirator
Industries we serve
Related product groups
Safety equipment
A barrier for eyes and face against swarf, dust, sparks and splash.
See details
Related guides
All guidesFFP1 vs FFP2 vs FFP3: EN 149 mask classes and how to choose a dust mask
What the EN 149 classes measure, what the markings mean and how to match the mask to the dust.
Read the guide
Gas mask filter colour codes: what A, B, E, K, P and ABEK mean
From brown A to white P: filter codes, capacity classes, reading ABEK labels, filter life and the oxygen limit.
Read the guide
Chemical protective suit types: Type 1 to Type 6, and what a Type 5/6 coverall means
What each type number on a coverall label was tested for, where Type 5/6 stops, and how to choose by task.
Read the guide
Frequently asked questions
Does a dust mask protect against gas?
No. Dust masks capture particles, not gas or vapour. Gas exposure requires a mask with a chemical filter matched to the substance.
What is the difference between FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3?
EN 149 sets the minimum filtration efficiency: at least 80% for FFP1, 94% for FFP2 and 99% for FFP3, with maximum total inward leakage of 22%, 8% and 2% respectively. The class is chosen from the measured exposure and the hazard of the dust. 'NR' means single-shift use, 'R' reusable, and 'D' passed the dolomite clogging test.
When is a filter replaced?
Particle filters when breathing resistance rises noticeably; gas filters on a time schedule or when odour or taste breaks through — though relying on smell alone is unsafe for substances with poor warning properties.
Does facial hair affect protection?
Decisively. A tight-fitting mask only works with a seal, and a seal is impossible over facial hair. Fit testing and a daily seal check belong in the written procedure.
Does a valved mask protect the people around the wearer?
No. The valve releases exhaled air unfiltered: it protects the wearer but not those nearby. Where the purpose includes hygiene, an unvalved model is chosen.
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