Only the combination of protection masks and respiratory filters ensures protection
—There are various filter types: particle, gas (e.g. ABEK) or combination filters. Depending on where you will be using them, you can protect yourself against multiple hazardous substances all at the same time.
A colour-coding enables you to instantly recognise the filter type. In addition, filters are classified according to their efficiency or capacity. We will explain this here in greater detail.
Correctly reading and using filter colour codes: Here's how it works
You can only be sure of respiratory protection when you have chosen the right type of filter for the hazardous substance you are dealing with. All respirator filters are labelled with standard colour coding used throughout Europe in accordance with the EN 14387 standard. This enables you to instantly recognise which type of protection each filter provides.
A filter with the green colour code and the label "K" for example, always protects against ammonia and organic ammonia derivatives. Gas filters that cover different gases, or combination filters that provide additional particle protection, thus have several colour codes and a compound label. An example is an ABEK filter with the colour code brown-grey-yellow-green. It protects against gases and vapours of organic and inorganic compounds as well as against sulphur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, ammonia and organic ammonia derivatives.
Slide trough the colour coding for 10 filter types and their application scenarios:
Filter type: AX
Gases and vapours from organic compounds, boiling point <65°
For handling aceton.
Filter type: A
Gases and vapours from organic compounds, boiling point >65°
For handling solvent vapours when removing paint or in bonding, painting and varnishing processes (in combination with a particle filter).
Filter type: B
Inorganic gases and vapours (for example, chlorine, hydrogen sulphide, hydrocyanic acid)
For welding processes (as an ABE P-filter).
Filter type: E
Sulphur dioxide, hydrogen chloride
For cleaning processes involving acids (as an ABE P-filter).
Filter type: K
Ammonia and organic ammonia derivatives
For handling liquid fertilisers (as an ABEK-filter).
Filter type: CO
Carbon monoxide
Used with escape devices to protect against gases during a fire, or for handling hydrogen peroxide (as a CO NO P-filter).
Filter type: Hg
Mercury vapour
For handling chemicals (as an ABEK Hg P-filter).
Filter type: NO
Nitrous gases including nitrogen monoxide
For handling ammonium nitrate or ozone (as NO P-filter).
Filter type: “Reactor”
Radioactive iodine, including radioactive methyl iodide
Filter type: P
Particles
For grinding, cutting or drilling processes; contact with bacteria or viruses.
Respiratory filter portfolio
The following overview shows our respiratory filter portfolio. Our filter series differ in their connector and have to be selected according to the corresponding respirator. All filter series contain particle, gas as well as combined filters.
Bayonet Filter series
These filters have a Dräger-specific bayonet connection and are used in pairs as a twin-filter system. The bayonet filter series can be used with X-plore 3000 half masks or 5500 full face masks.
Rd40 Filter series
Filters with the standard thread connection Rd40 according to EN 148-1 can be used with all half and full-face masks with standard thread connection Rd40, e.g. X-plore 4700 half mask or X-plore 6300 full-face mask.
Rd90 filter series
Rd90 is a Dräger-specific connection to be used in combination with X-plore 4700 half masks.
Knowledge to go
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Colour code easy-reference chart
Which type of filter is best suited for use during welding processes? Download the colour code chart now for a quick overview of the right filter solutions for any type of task.
Filter classes at a glance
Filters are classified according to their capacity (gas filter) or their efficiency (particle filters). The particle filter class indicates how efficiently particles are filtered from the ambient air. Our filter class chart gives you a quick overview.
Introduction to light respiratory protection
Will a filtering device provide sufficient protection against hazardous substances? How do you select the right filtering device? Find the answers to these and other important questions in our free handbook.
More on respiratory protection
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Heavy respiratory protection: Isolation systems
These are used in areas where there are high concentrations of hazardous substances or a lack of oxygen. They provide the wearer with a safe air supply.
Escape equipment
Escape devices are used in emergencies (for example, a sudden gas leak or a fire). They provide instant respiratory protection for a limited period.
Basic knowledge
Especially at the workplace, the inhalation of polluted air can lead to long-term damage to the respiratory organs and the entire body. Learn more about hazardous substances such as microparticles, gases and vapours that can lead to work-related illnesses such as asbestosis, asthma or cancer.
Light respiratory protection: Filtering devices
Even light respiratory protection can help prevent inhalation of many types of hazardous substances. Here you can see which type of filtering device can protect you from particles, gases and vapours.
Get in touch with Dräger
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9th Floor, Commerz II, International Business Park,
Oberoi Garden City,
Off Western Express Highway, Goregaon (East),
Mumbai - 400 063, India