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AIR SUPPLIED FACE MASKS
Materials:
Sump pump hose (black, corrugated, about 1 1/2" d.
(Canadian Tire)
Small vacuum cleaner replacement hose (Canadian Tire)
Small blower, squirrel-cage type best. (Used from Princess
Auto catalogue or from a junked car's air circulation system
with a 12 volt plug-in adapter)
Duct tape (never go anywhere without duct tape)
Assorted PVC pipe connectors, hose clamps.
An old belt.
The Artist's Complete Health and Safety Guide, Monona Rossol.
Order through ACTS,
181 Thompson St. #23 NYC, NY 10012-2586 about 20 bucks (cheap).
Respirator. This is the part you'll probably have to pay
for although I can imagine adapting an old surplus gas mask.
The respirator I base my units on is an MSA Comfo II Respirator,
part #479860 black Hycar, medium (that's what the catalogue
says). It is a half-face respirator with an over-the-shoulder
hose that is meant to attach to a belt-mounted cartridge
carrier. I have ordered the face mask with the hose minus
the belt and cartridge holder. That makes it somewhat cheaper.
You don't need the cartridge holder or the belt. Get a belt
for 50 cents at Frenchy's. Express yourself. The above unit
complete runs $205 from Chandler Sales in Saint John, NB.
They don't have them in stock but can order them. They have
managed to order just the parts I need for less than the
complete cost in the past. 1-506-658-8000 but try 1-800-363-9611
first or find a local supplier.
I use my air-supplied face mask during dusty or fumy/smoky
operations. This is a standard respirator with an over-the-shoulder
air hose that attaches to a waist belt (so the hose won't
pull on the face mask). This hose is connected to a length
of replacement vacuum cleaner hose (because vacuum cleaner
hose is durable and can take getting stepped on), which
is connected to a long piece of sump pump hose (cheap and
easy to find). The sump hose runs to a blower (squirrel
cage type is best) that supplies fresh air under pressure
to the hose. The blower unit is kept or placed in an area
of the building where there is fresh, uncontaminated air
( be sure to screen the intake to prevent inhalation of
insects). Because the face mask is under positive pressure,
no air leaks in around the mask (even if you have a beard)
and there is no strain on your lungs from sucking through
filters. You also don't need to worry about having the wrong
filter for the job. I use this system anytime I do anything
where I should be wearing a respirator, even if I'm in front
of an exhaust hood. Obviously, it isn't a life support system
and should be used with a good dose of common sense, but
I find it extremely effective. You should never use any
respirator or air system in dangerous situations in which
the failure of the system puts you at risk. They are easy
and cheap to build. The only disadvantage is that you are
connected to a hose that tethers your movements. A little
planning before harnessing up makes this a minor inconvenience.
Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for any conceivable
problems anyone might have using a system as I've described,
remember that you are responsible for being sure you understand
the system, how it works and what the dangers are.
see WORKSHOPS
© Peter Powning
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