Remove them from the solution and rinse everything thoroughly to remove all traces of the cleaning and disinfecting chemicals. Put the mask and its parts into this solution and leave them for 2 minutes. To sanitize your mask pieces after washing them, create a solution by stirring 1 tablespoon of bleach into 4 cups of water. Rinse all the pieces with warm water to remove any excess detergent. ( Allegro Industries 5003-U is a detergent designed for cleaning respirators.) Remove the pressure demand valve assemblies, demand assemblies, and hoses.Īll of the components should then be washed in warm water with a mild detergent. Remove the filters from your gas mask or respirator. Without further ado, here’s how to clean a gas mask: These procedures apply to all kinds of respirators and protective masks. ( Image Courtesy of Blue Line Syndicate Group) Never assume that everything is in good order just because it is new. So, if you have a backup respirator, it should be taken out, inspected, and cleaned. If you haven't used your respirator, it should be inspected and cleaned every year. The best approach to respirator cleaning is to clean the mask after every use and then to take the mask apart and deep clean it every six months. Of course, hazardous chemical agents must be thoroughly cleaned off and out of your gas mask. Over time, sweat and natural oils from your body can build up on your respirator and compromise its effectiveness. Regular gas mask cleaning is just as important as daily inspection. To learn more about which gas masks you should be using, be sure to check out our Gas Mask Buyer's Guide. That’s why regularly inspecting, maintaining, and cleaning your respirator is critical.Ĭracked lenses should be replaced and another respirator should be used in the interim. Cracks in your respirator’s lenses could allow contaminated air to leech into the mask, making you sick or worse. Lenses are hard plastic, meaning impacts and scratches can damage them. If they’re broken or dirty, they may not operate properly and put you at risk. These valves let air enter and exit the mask. Inspect the Inhalation and Exhalation Valves Gently pull on the seal to ensure it hasn’t started to weaken, tear, or pull away from the faceplate. Next you’ll want to run your fingers over it to search for tears or cracks in the seal and where the seal meets the rest of the respirator. The face seal is one of the most important parts of a gas mask because it is designed to seal to your face and block hazardous fumes or particulates. The following is the step-by-step process for inspecting your gas mask. What to look for when inspecting a gas mask or respirator: That means it should be clean and well-lit so that everything is visible and manageable. Your workspace should be spacious enough to allow for all the parts of the respirator as you disassemble. Don’t rush-give yourself adequate time to conduct a thorough inspection. What Not to Do When Cleaning and Storing Respiratorsīefore starting the process of cleaning respirators, you’ll first want to inspect their condition by disassembling the entire mask and carefully looking over each part. TABLE OF CONTENTSīest Practices for Disposing of an Overexposed Gas Mask That means that understanding the process and committing to it is well worth the effort. The risk to life and limb is real if you do not inspect, clean, and decontaminate your gas mask. This is a guide for decontaminating and cleaning respirators, including the correct processes for inspecting, washing and decontaminating your gas mask. The more you know about the various parts of your mask, the better prepared you will be to use it.Įxposure to a simple CBRN threat like CS gas affects your mask very differently than massive exposure to radioactive fallout. Like all pieces of life-saving equipment, you’ll need to know how to clean and maintain it.Īs such, knowing how to completely disassemble and reassemble your mask is vital for proper maintenance and cleaning. Without question, your gas mask is an integral part of your CBRN preparedness plan.īut simply owning a mask is hardly enough to survive the next disaster.
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