In many emergency situations, gas masks are required as they allow the cleaning of contaminated air. The filter performs this function. Since over time it cannot clean the air efficiently, its replacement is required. Devices help in emergency situations.
Device
The gas mask filter has a high-quality metal or polymer-composite shell of a cylindrical shape. The device includes an aerosol filter and a charge (absorbent filler). The first basis is a multicomponent material with a frame made of cellulose fibers and a filtering component, which includes asbestos fibers, fiberglass and synthetic.
The gas mask device allows you to understand the principle of its operation. There are electrically charged filter materials designed to trap particles using electrostatics. Purification of air from dust particles, which are larger than the size of the filter cell, is carried out mechanically.
Activated carbon is used in devices with an absorbing charge filler. It is needed to improve the filtering property. The charge is called an absorber layer, which includes activated carbon, additives. With their help, the deposition of components in it is improved. Such additives include metal oxides and salts. Such a gas mask device allows you to better filter the air.
Gas mask composition
The protective device includes several important parts that protect the person from pollutants. The necessary components include:
- front rubber part: includes a connecting tube and valve box;
- valve box;
- connecting tube;
- filter-absorbing box;
- gas mask bag.
All parts of the gas mask are necessary because they provide air filtration. If defects are noticeable on any part, replace them.
Protection classes
By the type of "sieve", the aerosol filter can be of several protection classes:
- delays coarse dust;
- does not pass dust, smoke, fog;
- protects from fine suspensions, fog, smoke, bacteria, viruses.
Which filter to choose for a gas mask depends on the type of emergency. In any case, the device will protect against exposure to contaminated air. There are funds for specific purposes, for example, an ammonia filter for a gas mask.
Marking
Gas filter cartridge boxes can be marked as follows:
- A (brown): protects against gasoline, kerosene, acetone, benzene, toluene.
- B (yellow): does not pass chlorine, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen sulfide, phosgene.
- G (yellow-black): protects from mercury and organic substances.
- CD (gray): does not pass ammonia, hydrogen sulfide.
- E (black): protects against the penetration of hydrides of arsenic, phosphorus.
- M (red): does not pass carbon monoxide with organic matter, ammonia, acid gases.
- (white): protects a person from carbon monoxide.
- BKF: protects from acid gases, organic vapors, aerosols, arsenic hydrides, phosphorus.
Boxes come in large, medium and small volumes, which determines the duration of protection from contaminated air. If they have anti-aerosol filters, then the time of work is reduced. You can detect it by the presence of a white vertical strip, and on small boxes - by the white color of the bottom. Boxes A, B, KD, G, E without aerosol filters are indicated by the number 3. Therefore, their marking can be represented as - A3B3Reactor2. In this case, the gas filter has a protection class 3 type A. The guarantee of such parts may be within 3-5 years.
Designations for new devices
The classification of filters for gas masks of a new type may have other colors and letter markings. These rules are agreed with the EU. The following notation exists:
- A (brown): protects from organic gases, vapors above 65 degrees.
- B (gray): protects against inorganic gases, only carbon monoxide is the exception.
- CO (violet): serves as protection against carbon monoxide.
- E (yellow): does not pass acid gases, acid fumes.
- K (green): a person is protected from ammonia and amine compounds.
- P (white): protects against bacteria, viruses.
- Hg (red): essential for eliminating mercury vapor and volatile compounds.
- Ah (brown): allows you to skip organic matter.
- Sx (violet): filters toxic toxins.
- Reaktor (orange): protects against radioactive isotopes of iodine.
A modern gas mask filter is necessary for high-quality protection of a person from harmful substances in the air.
Selection tips
Protective equipment should not be in a room where the air contains less than 18% oxygen, and harmful impurities are in high concentration. The filter box should be selected so that it fits into the air.
If you want to lead people through smoke, where carbon monoxide predominates , then grade 2 CO marking is required in white. In case of mixed pollution with organic vapors and acid gases, a box of BKF should be chosen. With gas contamination, respirators with gas filters are used.
When is a replacement required?
Information about the duration of the boxes will serve as a guide for the operation of the filter for gas masks. Shelf life can be different, it all depends on the model of the device. There are several detection methods that allow you to determine whether filters need to be replaced. This procedure is required when toxic gas is felt under the mask. The method is dangerous in that a high concentration of gases is clearly felt.
Filter replacement is required when the weight of the device changes. This option is suitable for boxes that trap CO. They function at a low level of air humidity, but at high they do not work. Due to the absorption and binding of moisture, the weight of the device becomes larger.
Replacement may be required after some time of use. The option is suitable for gas masks of brand G. If the device was used for about 100 hours, then the box must be replaced. Each gas mask can have its own storage period. It is important to comply with them, since human security depends on this.
Installing a new filter can be scheduled. In this case, the boxes must be changed often if there are a lot of harmful components in the air. Procedures are carried out after laboratory tests. Then the expiration date of the filter is determined by experiment. Computer simulation of the filter's operating period allows you to determine negative factors, including temperature and humidity. Replacement time is determined by the elements - sensors. Timely installation of the filter allows you to use the device without damage to health.