But what is the difference between these two and which one is the better buy?

Home inspection is a dangerous industry to begin with: entering into attics, crawl spaces, and inspecting the roof. Knowing this, home inspectors should always bring appropriate gear with them to avoid the hazardous situations that come with inspections.

 Its quite a coincidence that the inspection job of looking for safety defects can set inspectors and their clients up for safety risks in and of itself. To execute your inspections problem free, the following PPE is ideal for your protection:

1. Coveralls : this one piece protective garment is intended to be worn when engaging in heavy manual work. By providing a high level of protection during work activities, coveralls ensure that you stay safe from biological, chemical, mechanical, thermal, electromagnetic and electrical hazards. We suggest opting for a disposable coverall like our BioPro Disposable Coverall  as it provides you with the standard coverall without the hassle of having to decontaminating used suits.
   
   
2. Goggles : this type of eye protection is designed to protect against a plethora of harmful airborne substances such as sawdust and mold spores. It is important to be wearing eye protection in confined spaces such as crawl spaces and attics as well as when inspecting electrical panels. Our Filterspec line comes with built in eye protection making it a convenient all in one respiratory mask while on the job.
    
3. Roof Equipment : many inspectors find themselves walking on rooftops for wind, hail and standard roof inspections ; making them prone to possible fall related injuries. Roof shoes, tie offs, and secure ladder set ups are crucial for safety.
   
   
4. Flashlights : it is recommended by ASHI that all home inspectors bring at least two flashlights on the job at all times as there are a variety of dangerous elements that can sneak up on you: exposed hardware, animals, and other hazardous situations.
   
   
5. Gloves + Head Protection: protecting your hands when entering these spaces is certainly a given. Rubber or leather gloves are recommended as electrical shock protection is something to keep in mind. Gloves should fit comfortable but tightly on the hands to ensure full protection. Entering crawl spaces and climbing into attics can leave you at risk of head injury. Wearing light impact protection such as a BumpCap (which is also what makes up the cap in the Powercap Active Respirator) is a great way to avoid this risk.
   
   
6. Respirators: it is suggested that respirators are the most underutilized but also one of the most important pieces of PPE for home inspectors. With a variety of different options, it can sometimes be difficult to pick the appropriate one.
   
   
   
   Here are a few suggestions based on the type of substances you may come into contact with as a home inspector:
   
   Molds – mold exposure, primarily asbestos, can cause certain cancers. These molds are commonly found within the walls, ceiling tiles, roofing, or insulation. Vermiculite inspection is especially dangerous and requires appropriate protection to work around. We recommend wearing the Force 8 ABEK1P3, CleanAir, or Infinity 1 system for full protection against mold.
   
   Animal Droppings – a common find when home inspecting, animal droppings can carry a range of different viruses including hantavirus, histoplasmosis, or cryptococcosis. An N95 or higher respirator will be sufficient for protection. Try our NIOSH approved Force Typhoon 8 or the Powercap Active for the best protection.
   
   Lead Paint – what was once a popular home material for how quickly it dried and its durability, is now highly toxic and can lead to serious health issues such as behavorial problems, lead poisoning and even seizure. Paint chips, dust, and cracking all mean that lead particulate is in the air and is certainly something a home inspector will want to avoid. A powered respirator system such as our Powercap, CleanAir or Infinity line will fully protect you as will our Force 8 line.
   
   Old or Improperly Installed Insulation – insulation can make you sick. point blank. Its odor as well as direct contact with the insulation itself or its dust can cause a variety of irritation. Two common toxins found in insulation have been formaldehyde and asbestos. While this type of insulation is now banned, many older homes still have this type of insulation which can be deadly. Wearing a full face respirator or air powered respirator will be your best bet for staying safe. Again, our Powercap, Force 8, CleanAir or Infinity lines will be your safest choice.
   
   A cost efficient, compact, disposable respirator such as our Force 8 (available in both NIOSH Press to Check Fit for particulate protection and ABEK1PE version for full particle and chemical protection (including asbestos) is a great choice for home inspectors. Looking for something with built in eye protection? The Filterspec line is perfect for protection from particulates. Wanting something that prevents any feeling of claustrophobia, keeps you cool in the hot spaces, and provides light impact protection? Then our Powercap Active is the perfect unit for you. Dealing with heavy duty chemical exposure or want something belt mounted? We might suggest our Clean Air Pro systems or our Infinity line up. It is important to utilize a respirator that filters at least 99.97% if particles, which all of ours do. 

7. Road Cones + Danger Signs: the last pieces of recommended PPE equipment are road those that protect not only yourself but your clients. Road cones help to ensure that there is ample space around your vehicle while you work, while danger signs ensure that clients are warned of any potential hazards.

To summarize: PPE is a crucial part of professional home inspection work. Without it, you are exposing yourself to high levels of danger while also exposing your clients. Bringing the appropriate equipment to all inspection jobs will not only keep you safe as a professional but also keep you looking professional for the long run.

For additional home inspector information, be sure to check out ASHI.

Stay safe out there.

Does the intense heat of the spring and summer drain you?

Does the humidity make it difficult for you to work, play, compete, or function outdoors?

Then an evaporative cooling vest is the perfect accessory for your everyday.

One like the Hydracool Sport or Hydracool Pro in our Hydracool line, is the perfect solution to keep your stamina up and your body temperature consistent.

Each filter type mentioned above is assigned a specific color by NIOSH in order to be identified correctly for the appropriate application, as seen in the color coding for NIOSH chart here:

Stay safe out there.

In 2020 the worst pandemic in a century shook the world, bringing with it massive lockdowns, economic hardship, and the loss of family members, friends and loved ones. This pandemic has shifted the way that every human operates and has forced businesses to revamp their own operating models to compensate for a lack of face-to-face interaction. Entering 2020 at Peke, we never expected that it would become the year of PPE. In just one short year, a 3-letter initialism primarily used by medical and industrial workers is now on the minds of almost every human being on the planet.

Before the pandemic, PPE was widely available for facilities in need. Personal protective equipment was supplied to healthcare institutions via lean supply chains in the same way paper towels were to grocery stores. Just-in-time supply chains between major manufacturers and end users were efficient and had eliminated the need for stockpiling of goods. All that changed in March of 2020, with the world suddenly experiencing a massive shortage of personal protective equipment and medical supplies in hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical facilities, as the general public suddenly needed access to those very same items. Exacerbated by confusing and haphazard responses at government level, the market became a free-for-all, with many PPE companies suddenly sold out of whatever they had. Suddenly, new manufacturers were filling the breach, many of them selling products of dubious quality, effectiveness, and with no prior references or certifications.

 At Peke Safety and Peke Response, 2020 created a unique challenge for us. We’ve been selling NIOSH and EN compliant PPE globally, direct to consumers, businesses, and governments for almost 10 years. In that time, we have always prioritized providing the right product for the right application and having parts and spares available when needed. We consider it our duty to ensure our customers are being kept safe at all times. Suddenly, we’ve been put in a position of having constrained supplies of parts and spares we have had on hand for years, having our ads reviewed (and often removed) by social media platforms simply because we talk about PPE, and dealing with customers who had suffered price gouging in their desperation to get hands on what they needed to protect themselves, their workers, and their families.

We expect that the supply chain will continue to be constrained through at least the middle of this year,especially as the number of COVID-19 cases continue to increase rapidly around the world and new strains of the virus are being discovered. Education and economic realities are likely to be a factor as well, as we can only go so long without kids in school and with non-essential service sector workers furloughed and unable to earn a living.

In response to the shifting landscape, Peke Safety is taking the following steps to ensure we will continue to be a reliable PPE supplier for our customers going forward:

Already Actioned:

• Inventory orders placed 6 months out
• Inbound shipping methods changed to save costs and stabilize end-user pricing
• Diversifying suppliers
• Adding more non-CN sourced disposable PPE to suit customer needs

Forthcoming Changes:

• Adding distribution channels, including Amazon.com and re-enabling Amazon Pay
• Additional FAQ and How-To Resources on Pekesafety.com
• New subscription offerings for spares and disposables, allowing customers to maintain steady product availability throughout the year

Unfortunately, 2020 wasn’t a box we could shove in the attic and forget about as the challenges we faced will and are continuing into 2021.We here at Peke Safety and Peke Response will continue to work to the best of our abilities to provide you with the highest quality of PPE you are in need of in a timely manner. We want to thank all of you for trusting in us throughout such a difficult year and are here for your questions, concerns, product requests or needs at any time.

Stay safe out there.

When using a respirator whether powered or disposable on the job, you will need to replace your filters consistently to not only ensure that you are being protected adequately from the particles/vapors but also to ensure that you do not cause further damage to your motors (if using a powered respirator).

Here are our three tips for when to change filters:

There is no one time fits all:

One question we get asked most frequently here at Peke is "how long will a filter last?".

Unfortunately there is no one time fits all answer to this question as it depends on frequency of use, the level of exposure in the environment, and what you are exposing yourself to. Filters work like a strainer, trapping particles out of the air. When the filter fills up with these particles, the filter is no longer functioning. Filter cartridges designed for combination use of particulates and gases/vapors work like a sponge as they absorb hazardous vapors from the air along with particles. Once the filters have absorbed all they can, the vapors start passing through.

Simple answer: when the filter looks dirty, the air flow indicator is showing lower air flows, or you are starting to smell or taste fumes; its time to change your filters.

The P2 filters are a great example. The more particulates you are exposed to, the faster they will fill with dust and the sooner you will have to replace it. We have some customers changing P2 filters on their Powercap Active every month, while others are changing every 2-3 months. It is imperative to change these filters out consistently to avoid stress on the motor. The air flow indicator included in the Powercap will help you check how efficient your filters are each use. 

For tight fitting respirators:

A tight fitting respirator is designed to only work well if it is fitted approximately to your face. Those requiring a fit test cannot have any facial hair between the mask and face. If there is a gap, particles and toxins could easily slip inside the face mask, taking the easy way in avoiding filters and cartridges. It is important to make sure your respirator fits properly with a fit test. When in doubt, always ask a safety manager to perform a fit test.

It is a good idea to always have an extra set or two of filters on hand at all times, especially if you find yourself working in high concentrations of particles and vapors. 

You can replace your filters easily, but you cannot replace your lungs.

Read our filter timeline guide:

Check out our article on when to change your filters based on your product for suggested timelines.

stay safe out there.