Should I buy FFP2 or FFP3?

It follows the dust. FFP2 covers construction, cutting and grinding dust; silica, mould, lead and toxic dusts require FFP3.

Is a valved mask better?

It is more comfortable for the wearer and lowers exhalation resistance. But it does not filter the exhaled air, so where the point is to protect others a non-valved model should be chosen.

Does an activated carbon mask protect against chemical vapour?

No. Activated carbon reduces odour and nuisance organic vapour; real gas and vapour protection needs a half or full face mask with filter cartridges.

When should a mask be replaced?

At the end of the shift, when it becomes damp or deformed, or when breathing resistance rises noticeably. Disposable masks are not washed or reused.

Does a beard affect the mask?

Considerably. A beard prevents the mask sealing to the face and raises leakage; whatever the class, protection drops sharply.

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Respirators

The class of a dust mask sets the proportion of particles captured and the leakage allowed — but on site what really decides is the face seal. This page covers the FFP classes, what a valve and activated carbon do, and when a mask is replaced. The catalogue holds 20 models from Era and Milwaukee.

FFP classes and which dust wants which

EN 149 defines three classes. FFP1 is for coarse, mechanically generated nuisance dust. FFP2 captures most fine dust and is the standard for construction, cutting, grinding and plasterboard work. FFP3 is the highest filtration class and is required for silica, mould, lead and toxic dusts.

The class describes the filter only; the protection depends on the face seal. A beard, the wrong size or a slack strap will drop an FFP3 mask below FFP1 in practice. That is why the model — foldable, cup-shaped, adjustable nose clip — matters as much as the class.

Class	Where
FFP1	Coarse dust, sweeping, light work
FFP2	Construction, cutting, grinding, plasterboard
FFP3	Silica, mould, lead, toxic dusts

Valves, activated carbon and service life

A valve lowers the resistance on exhaling and makes a real difference to comfort in heat and over long wear. But a valved mask does not filter the exhaled air — where the point is to protect the people around the wearer, a non-valved model is required.

Activated carbon layers reduce odour and the unpleasant part of organic vapour, but they do not provide chemical vapour protection. Real gas and vapour protection needs a half or full face mask with filter cartridges. Disposable masks are replaced at the end of the shift, when damp, or when breathing resistance rises noticeably.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I buy FFP2 or FFP3?
It follows the dust. FFP2 covers construction, cutting and grinding dust; silica, mould, lead and toxic dusts require FFP3.
Is a valved mask better?
It is more comfortable for the wearer and lowers exhalation resistance. But it does not filter the exhaled air, so where the point is to protect others a non-valved model should be chosen.
Does an activated carbon mask protect against chemical vapour?
No. Activated carbon reduces odour and nuisance organic vapour; real gas and vapour protection needs a half or full face mask with filter cartridges.
When should a mask be replaced?
At the end of the shift, when it becomes damp or deformed, or when breathing resistance rises noticeably. Disposable masks are not washed or reused.
Does a beard affect the mask?
Considerably. A beard prevents the mask sealing to the face and raises leakage; whatever the class, protection drops sharply.