MSA OptimAir 3000, Operating Manual

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MSA OPERATING CONDITIONS AND SELECTION
Filters for OptimAir 3000
5
2. Operating conditions and Selection
2.1. Operating conditions
There are three basic filter types available for using with the OptimAir 3000:

Gas filters for protection against toxic gases and vapours,

Particle filters for protection against hazardous solid and liquid particles,

Combined filters are composed of a gas and particle filter and protect
against both toxic gases / vapours and hazardous particles.
In order to select the correct respiratory filter, the following properties must be
known or at least verified before use:

Type, property and composition of the hazardous materials in the ambient air.

When using particle filters there should be no gaseous hazards and when
using gas filters no hazardous particles. If in doubt use a combined filter.

The oxygen concentration of the inhaled air must be at least 19% by volume
or as modified by local or national regulation.
Attention!
Gases that are heavier than air normally have an increased
concentration near the ground or other low point and in these regions
there may be an oxygen deficit. This must be considered when verifying
the use conditions and it may be necessary to select a different
respiratory protection system.
A basic principle is that power assisted filtering devices must not be
used in narrow spaces (containers, ducts, pits).
Limitations of use for hazardous gases:
The service time limit for the total concentration of hazardous gases is 500 ppm
for power assisted filtering devices with class 1 gas filters, with class 2 gas filters
1000 ppm.
Limitations of use for hazardous materials (gases and particles):
Power assisted filtering devices are only to be used with certain concentrations of
hazardous materials. These threshold values are determined differently according
to the regulations of each country. The limitations of use are given as a multiple of
the threshold value according to the filter class (see local or national regulation*).
Open flames, metal droplets:
The use of power assisted filtering devices during work with open flames and
metal droplets (e.g. welding), may cause serious risk due to ignition of the filter
media, which may generate acute levels of toxic substances.