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.

We are finding that many of our customers and the general public are confused on why masks are needed during this time and how they actually work. This includes our Powercap Active.

We thought we would do our best to provide some answers to help clarify things for you.

So you have a beard, want to grow out a beard or don’t want to give up your beard for the sake of safety? Is it possible to wear a respirator? Do you sacrifice your health for the sake of your beard? This is by far one of our most popular topics from customers when it comes to respiratory protection. With little guidance on the topic and incredibly limited product offerings out there for beards, we thought we should break down why a beard is so difficult with a respirator and how our Powercap Active is the only solution out there.

Why can’t you wear a normal respirator with facial hair or a beard?

• The seal of a respirator is the most important aspect for ensuring proper filtration
• Facial hair that lies along the tight sealing area will interfere with the respirator
• This interference will prevent maximum protection and prevent proper fit testing

Why does it prevent proper fit testing?

• Gases, vapors and particles (like COVID-19) always take the path of least resistance
• By taking this path, these particles will manage to avoid the part of the respirator that keeps these particles out

Why doesn’t facial hair act like a barrier of sorts for particles, gases and vapors?

• Our hair is actually larger than the particle size one would inhale
• Our hair is not dense enough to capture these particles
• Our individual hair follicles are too large to capture particles like a filter does
• Studies show that even a day of stubble can cause 20 to 1000 times more leakage

How can I wear a respirator with a beard and make sure it works?

• Perform a user seal check (check out our user seal check article on how)
• Speak to a respiratory protection program manager about respirator selection options
• A loose fitting respirator aka a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR)

Is there a respirator designed for beards?

• We are happy to announce that there is one respirator on the market to work with beards and its ours!
• The Powercap Active PAPR is designed to filter 99% of particles down to .3 microns without the need for a tight face seal. This allows anyone with any sort of facial hair to continue to work in dangerous environments without putting their health (or their beard) at risk!

Breathe easy and never have to shave again.

Stay safe out there.