Why have your respiratory protection equipment inspected and serviced?
Respiratory protection equipment that is not single-use must be tracked and traced. The management of this fleet is useful because it allows to have all the documents in one place and to plan the maintenance operations.
The goal is to always have equipment that complies with the standards that regulate respiratory protection equipment.
Following the health situation of the last few months, we had to adapt to a new way of operating on a daily basis: the barrier gestures! This phenomenon has led to a change in the management of respiratory equipment: it has become imperative to clean and disinfect the equipment after each use.
The maintenance of the devices is important for the safety of the personnel, but the cleaning and disinfection has also become important!
What is a respirator tracking sheet?
Each piece of respiratory protection equipment has a tracking sheet that tracks its use. The sheet must show the following information:
- Identification of the devices: type, number, manufacturer's address, technical documentation...
- Storage
- Cleaning and disinfection
- Maintenance operation (nature, date, etc...)
How to properly maintain your respiratory protection equipment?
> Good storage conditions:
The first thing to check is the proper storage conditions of the respirators. They must be ready for use (clean and complete), protected from dirt, humidity, sunlight, heat or cold and all dangerous substances.
Each device, part or accessory has an expiration date. If the expiration date is reached, they must be disposed of in order to avoid reuse.
> Cleaning and disinfection :
Then, the cleaning and disinfection of the respiratory protection devices after each use. For this, the manufacturers' recommendations must be respected (cleaning products, exposure time, etc.) to avoid damaging the equipment.
> Maintenance and servicing operations :
Finally, the implementation of maintenance and upkeep operations of the respiratory protection devices which will allow to control and verify the good functioning of the devices. During these checks, defective parts are replaced, small repairs are made and various adjustments are made according to the manufacturers' instructions.
How to fill breathing air cylinders and when to maintain them?
The filling of the air cylinders is done by compression of the outside air. This operation must be entrusted to a specialist equipped with a certified compressor for breathing air, up to 200 or 300 bar depending on the cylinder. The control is done once a year according to the EN12012 standard (air quality control).
After use, the compressed air cylinders should be disconnected from the device and the connection lined with a protective cap to protect against shocks and dirt.
Ideally, the cylinders should be refilled when there is still a slight residual pressure. If the cylinders are completely empty (no pressure), the cylinder must be dried beforehand so that the final water content does not exceed the prescribed content.
Even if the breathing air cylinders look good from the outside, it is necessary to check the inside of the cylinder periodically (internal impact, mold, ...).
What should be done for the care and maintenance of respirators?
The data below is for information purposes only, care and maintenance of respirators should be performed in accordance with the manufacturers' recommendations.
For face pieces (full face mask, half mask, mouthpiece assembly)
Before use or after any repair
> Checking the operating condition and tightness by the user.
After use
> Cleaning.
> Disinfection if the equipment is not personal.
Every year
Verification of the equipment in accordance with the provisions of the decree of March 19, 1993 fixing the list of the equipment which must be the subject of a periodic general checking in accordance with article R. 233-42-2 of the labour code:
> Visual inspection.
> Inspection of the phonic membrane.
> Inspection of the exhalation valve.
> Functional and leakage tests on a control bench.
> Check of the opening value of the mask exhalation valve.
> Leak test with closed exhalation valve.
> Issuance of a test report.
Every 2 to 6 years (depending on the manufacturer)
> Potential replacement of valves, phonic membranes and connection joints.
For facial parts (helmet, balaclava)
After use
> Cleaning.
> Disinfection if the equipment is not personal.
Every 6 months
> Cleaning and disinfection (unless the device is hermetically sealed).
For filtering devices with assisted ventilation
Before use
> Installation/checking of filters.
> Checking the expiration date of the filters.
> Checking the charge status of the battery.
> Checking the flow rate of ventilation devices.
After use
> Disposal of used gas filters.
> Charging the battery of ventilation equipment.
> Cleaning and disinfection according to the manufacturers' recommendations.
Every year (depending on manufacturer)
> Precise flow control of assisted ventilation devices.
Self-contained open-circuit breathing apparatus
Before use
> Checking the operating condition and tightness by the user.
After use
> Cleaning, disinfection of the hose and the system on demand (if not a personal device) and control of the membrane in case of use in aggressive environment.
> Functional and leakage test.
Every year
Verification of the equipment in accordance with the provisions of the decree of March 19, 1993 establishing the list of equipment that must undergo a periodic general verification in accordance with article R. 233-42-2 of the Labor Code.
> Functional and tightness test of the whole equipment on a bench.
> Visual inspection.
> Check the opening value of the mask exhalation valve.
> Leak test of the mask + demand valve assembly and their connection.
> Check that the demand valve is triggered.
> Static low and medium pressure control.
> Stability check of the regulator medium pressure.
> Control of the inspiratory and expiratory resistances according to the high pressure.
> Control of the alarm signal.
> High pressure tightness check
> Check of the accuracy of the pressure gauge.
> Checking the date of the compressed air test.
> Generation of a test report.
Every 6 to 12 years (depending on manufacturer):
> Upgrade of the pressure regulator, demand valve and medium pressure hose
NB: for facepieces and air cylinders, see the corresponding table.
Closed Circuit Breathing Apparatus
Before use
> Checking the operating condition and tightness by the user.
After use
> Cleaning of the entire unit.
> Disinfection of hoses, circuit, breathing bag and demand system.
> Checking the membrane of the demand system after use in an aggressive environment.
> Replacement of the regeneration cartridge.
Every year
Verification of the equipment in accordance with the provisions of the order of March 19, 1993 fixing the list of the equipment which must be the subject of a periodic general checking in accordance with article R. 233-42-2 of the labour code.
> Functional and tightness test of the whole device on a bench.
> Visual check.
> Check of the mask exhalation valve opening value.
> Leak test of the mask + demand valve assembly and their connection.
> Control of the triggering of the demand valve.
> Static low and medium pressure control.
> Stability check of the regulator medium pressure.
> Control of the inspiratory and expiratory resistances according to the high pressure.
> Control of the alarm signal.
> High pressure tightness check
> Check of the accuracy of the pressure gauge.
> Checking the date of the compressed air test.
> Generation of a test report.
Every 6 to 12 years (depending on manufacturer):
> Regulator upgrade, demand valve
NB: for face pieces and compressed air cylinders, see the corresponding table
For compressed air supplied breathing apparatus with demand or continuous flow system
Before use
> Checking the operating condition and tightness by the user.
After use
> Cleaning, disinfection of the hose and the system on demand (if not a personal device) and control of the membrane in case of use in aggressive environment.
> Functional and leakage test.
Every year
Verification of the equipment in accordance with the provisions of the decree of March 19, 1993 establishing the list of equipment that must undergo a periodic general verification in accordance with article R. 233-42-2 of the Labor Code.
> Functional and tightness test of the whole equipment on a bench.
> Visual inspection.
> Check the opening value of the mask exhalation valve.
> Leak check of the mask + valve assembly on demand.
> Control of the triggering of the demand valve.
> Static low and medium pressure control.
> Stability control of the medium pressure of the regulator(s) (e.g. multi-carriers)
> Control of the inspiratory and expiratory resistances as a function of the high pressure.
> Control of the alarm signal.
> Check of the high pressure tightness
> Check of the accuracy of the manometer
> Checking the date of the compressed air test.
> Printing of a test report.
+ It is also advisable to check the hoses/hoses (fittings, leak detection...) used to connect the air supply systems to the breathing air supply source
Every 6 to 12 years (depending on manufacturer):
> Regulator upgrade, demand valve.
NB: for facepieces and air cylinders, see the corresponding table.
For more information
Standards and regulations for respirators
How to choose the right respiratory protection?
Respiratory protection filters: color code, class, ...
