Best respirator brand

[svrooman]

I know that a question such as this is near and dear to everyone's hearts out there, but I'm looking for some input on what are some of the better full face APR brand/models out there that are being used?

[Mike McFarlin]

MSA,3M, Scott, North, Survivair, AO Safety, Willson, Drager X-Plore. Pick the one that best suits your needs and budget.

[ddklbl]

Pick the one that best suits your needs and budget.

Pick one that better suits your face, perhaps? 

[Already Gone]

dd is right.  If you have any significant number of people, you are going to need at least two brands of respirator to fit everyone.  The OSHA standard for fit testing tells you to let the workers select from varying sizes, makes, and models before you hook them up for the test.  You also have to consider a mix of both silicone and latex-based rubber.  Silicone doesn't last as long, but it fits some people who can't get a fit in rubber.  Then, there are latex allergies to consider.  It is a progressive allergy that gets worse over time and with exposure.  Somebody can be fine one time, and a year later going into anaphylactic shock just from being in the same room with a baloon.  No rubber for these folks.

You need at least:
two different brands
one or two models from each brand
two or three sizes of each model
both rubber and silicone for each size and model for at least one brand
You will still find somebody who can't get a fit.

Remember: Every respirator is disposable.  You will eventually throw them all away.  If you use a lot of them, it may be a lot cheaper to buy the more expensive ones and wash them.  Re-usable/disposable respirators are not as reusable as you'd think.  They get too dirty to use long before they wear out and can't be washed.

[SloGlo]

eye like msa.  the new models are more pliant than the oldies but they don't seem to have lost their durability.  of course, i'm not in power blocks any more and don't use respirators as much or as many of them.  however, for storing them for a period of time.... more than a year, then bringing them out and using them all the time for a week or so, then storing again and doing the cycle all over again the msa bunch works fine.

[DJ@Retired]

Get a hepa. Get it to suck the air away from the breathing zone and that's the best respirator you can buy. Glue it, Wet it, paint it but don't spread it.

[HydroDave63]

I never did like how the North PAPR has the motor so far forward, always seems to knock into things when working up close.

[volfireman07]

Look at the sealing surface.  Brands like 3M and North have a double flange.  MSA Ultra-twin has a single.  The double gives you a better seal.  The material is also important.  North uses 100% surgical silicone.  It is a very comfortable respirator.  Several makes are silicone, but the North stuff is great.

[LouDog777]

Here at the NTS, we only have two types of respirators, MSA and 3M.  The 3M's are much more comfortable than the MSA's.  They are lighter, have a much better range of vision.  The North ones sound like they are nice also.