The Only Respirators (PAPRS) That Work With Beards
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, Pureflo, Sundstrom, CoolAir and AirWing lines are the only solutions 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 have a comprehensive line up of beard friendly respirators to suit all of your application needs:
-
The Powercap Active PAPR
The CleanAir HEPA + Omnira or CA40 Headpiece PAPR
The Pureflo 3000 PAPR
The Pureflo 3000 Hard Hat PAPRhttps://pekesafety.com/collections/powered-air- purifying-respirators/ products/copy-of-pureflo-3000- papr-hard-hat?variant= 39671130751054
The Sundstrom SR500 PAPR
https://pekesafety.com/collections/powered-air- purifying-respirators/ products/sundstrom-sr-500- papr-systems?variant= 49108823441701
The CleanAir Pro + Omnira or CA40 PAPR
The CoolAir PAPR
The Pureflo ESM+ PAPR
The Airwing PAPR
Breathe easy and never have to shave again.
Stay safe out there.
21 Comments
The MicroClimate Air3 is a NIOSH approved PAPR that just came out. Great option for beards, and good value.
Hi what price can you supply a painting mask for bearded people?
Thanks
It emphasizes the importance of fit and filtration for workplace safety, offering solutions like powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) that accommodate beards without compromising performance. https://www.lawrencevilleconcrete.com/
It introduces options and solutions for bearded individuals to maintain safety while ensuring a proper fit, including specialized respirators designed to work with beards. https://www.goodyearazconcretecontractor.com/
what is the best RPE for contractors with beards, and some are wearing turbans
Suitable respirators for spray painting conversion varnish/lacquer with a beard ( prefer ventilation)
The company likely will not answer these questions because if they make any claims, then they can be held liable for those claims. No legitimate authority that will certify these respirators for effective protection against any hazard because NIOSH has very specific guidance when it comes to acceptable respiratory protection
Can anybody in PekeSafety please answer the comments, as I have a lot of the same questions. If you answer the comments people won’t keep asking the same questions! Answers needed please. Thank you
I have a beard and don’t wanna shave for religious reasons, will this be safe for asbestos removal work?
I have a beard and looking for a respirator that takes cartridges to be able to pass a fit test. What products to you carry for this and what are some prices.
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