What is BS EN 14387 about?
BS EN 14387 refers to gas filters and combined filters for use as replaceable components in unassisted respiratory protective devices (RPD) apart from escape devices. Laboratory tests are included for the assessment of compliance with the requirements.
Some filters complying with BS EN 14387 can also be suitable for use with assisted respiratory protective devices and/or escape devices.
Note: Filters for use against CO are excluded from this document.
Who is BS EN 14387 for?
BS EN 14387 on requirements, testing and marking of gas filters and combined filters in RPDs is useful for:
- Manufacturers of respiratory protective devices
- Quality control personnel
- Health and safety department
- Inspection personnel
Why should you use BS EN 14387?
Gas masks are usually full-facepiece respirators with one filtering canister. The full facepiece protects the eyes, nose, and mouth and provides a better sealing than a half facepiece. Gas and vapour respiratory filters are designed to protect the wearer against hazardous gases and vapour.
Combined filters are designed to offer protection against airborne particulates, gases, and vapours simultaneously. Hence it is important that these filters don’t have any defects in them.
BS EN 14387 provides users with a list of requirements for gas filters and combined filters that are helpful during production stages. BS EN 14387 also guides you on the classification of gas filters and combined filters based on their efficiency and the test methods to verify that efficiency. BS EN 14387 guides you on the appropriate storage methods for gas filters and combined filters ensuring they are not damaged.
BS EN 14387 guides you to produce quality gas filters and combined filters in RPDs thereby improving the quality of the overall product.
What is changed since the last update?
BS EN 14387:2021 supersedes EN 14387:2004+A1:2008. BS EN 14387:2021 includes some technical changes with respect to EN 14387:2004+A1:2008. These include:
- Definitions, symbols, use of a risk assessment, e.g., a Failure Modes and Effect Analysis (FMEA), twin filters were added
- Nominal values, tolerances, values in Table 2, Gas capacity and test conditions of gas filters of types A, B, E and K, changed
- Visual inspection changed to inspection and detailed list inserted, all figures adapted to the changes made in the test procedures, where appropriate
- Description, clogging, in Table 1 column referring to maximum resistance after clogging is deleted
