August 2005 - The SEA Group has developed a NIOSH approved Positive Pressure Breath Responsive Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) meeting the high air flow requierments in the coming NIOSH/CBRN standard and also provides positive pressure to a specially designed suit. The Breath responsive unit work very similar to a NPFA approved SCBA and meets the same air flow requierments.

The coming CBRN standard for high performance PAPR will require the same airflow from the PAPR unit as for a NFPA approved SCBA to be used by for example First Responders involved in Rescue and Recovery tasks or Medical Personal required to do lifting and carrying of patients. The PAPR has a Data logging function as well as all other proposed safety features in the coming CBRN standard which is expected to be ready in September 2005. Such features are for example heads up display and warning alarm, warning the user in good time before the battery power goes down to a dangerous level unable to provide positive pressure in the mask up to 400liter/min. The unit will also automatically check that positive pressure is maintained in the mask and warn the user if that is not the case. Another feature not yet required in the coming CBRN standard for PAPR’s is the possibility to program the unit to warn the user when to change filter.

The suit has been tested by the US Army (see web site www.sea.com.au ) and protect the user and the PAPR against aerosol as well as liquid chemical ware fare agents. There are many types of pressurized suits available, everything from inexpensive disposable Tyvec suits ( “ So called level C ” ), Tyvec F suits ( "So called Level B" ) up to So called level A suits made of VPS, HPS and other materials ).

For additional information please contact Safety Equipment America Phone # 888-732-3500 or email bengtk@sea.com.au