Emergency escape respirators & hoods
Emergency escape respirators and escape hoods are personal protective equipment (PPE) dedicated to emergency evacuations. These devices, also known as EEBDs (emergency escape breathing devices), are air purifying protective devices that can only be used when the oxygen concentration is high enough (minimum 19.5% vol).
Used in various industries, these air purifying (filtering) EEBDs escape respirators and hoods are simple and efficient devices that are protecting many workers around the world mainly during technical shutdowns of petro-chemical sites.
The escape respirator
Emergency escape respirators are used to filter toxic gas and substances that can be present during dangerous events. Made availlable for personnels and staff working on dangerous sites like SEVESO-rated facilities, COMAH sites, dangerous industrial sites and some ATEX sites, this type of PPE provides a minimum of 15 minutes autonomy to evacuate a dangerous zone. Escape respirators purify the toxic ambient air to offer respiratory protection throughout the evacuation. Contained and sealed in a rigid or soft case, the device is easy to use. The mouthpiece and the nose clip are simple to place on the face and quickly offer efficient protection against dangerous gas and substances thanks to the ABEK filter.
The emergency escape hood
Emergency escape hoods, are devices that entirely cover the face. These devices guarantee a minimum of 15 minutes autonomy to escape from a dangerous area. Escape hood models exist in 2 main configurations:
- The fire escpa hood - also called smoke hood) or firefighter hood - featuring an CO-P2 filter for protection against toxic particles, dusts, vapor and fumes created by fires.
- The classic emergency escape respirator hood featuring an ABEK filter cartridge against gas, vapors, and particles created by industrial accidents or present in emergency situations on industrial facilities.
An air purifying respiratory protection for emergencies
Escape respirators and escape hoods are air purifying respiratory protective devices. They can be used only in emergency escape situations and only if the oxygen level is high enough for the air to be purified (19,5% vol. minimum). If the oxygen rate is not good enough a self-contained respiratory protection - independent from the ambient air - should be used. In emergency situations a self-contained self-rescuer mask is ideal.
See also
Gas masks - SCSRs Self rescuers - Lone worker personal alert safety systems