What does FFP mean? Respiratory protection abbreviations explained

When reading or talking about respiratory protection, you will come across many abbreviations. These terms are shortened forms of phrases relating to respiratory hazards, protection requirements, products and performance levels.

Understanding abbreviations used to discuss respiratory protection is key to identifying necessary exposure controls and selecting appropriate equipment.

Use the guide below to decode common respiratory abbreviations:

APF – Assigned Protection Factor

An?Assigned Protection Factor?refers to the level of protection that a wearer can reasonably expect from a respirator in the workplace. The APF can be used to select adequate respiratory protection after the required protection factor (RPF) has been determined.

Different countries have varying APFs, and it is important to check local regulations prior to selecting equipment.

RPF – Required Protection Factor

Required Protection Factor is determined by measuring the hazard concentration, averaging this value over a reference period of exposure, and dividing the figure by the WEL. The resulting RPF can be used to identify which APF level is required.

For example, say Xylene (an organic chemical giving off gas vapours) has been measured in a workplace at a concentration of 300ppm.

The WEL is 50ppm, as identified in the?Health and Safety Executive (HSE) document EH40/2005.

The required protection factor is therefore: 300ppm divided by 50ppm = 6.

UK assigned protection factors (APF) are set at 4, 10, 20 and higher. In this particular example, an APF of 10 is needed to offer appropriate protection.

NPF – Nominal Protection Factor

Nominal Protection Factor is a value determined by the performance of the respirator in a standardised test.

WEL – Workplace Exposure Limit

A?Workplace Exposure Limit?specifies a maximum limit for exposure to a hazardous substance or task over long-term (8 hours) and short-term (15 minutes) reference periods.

HSE document EH40/2005?details workplace exposure limits, covering many substances and tasks.

The WEL can be used to calculate required protection factor (RPF).

FFP – Filtering Facepieces

The term ‘FFP masks’ is sometimes used to describe disposable particulate respirators, which are also known as disposable dust masks.

These respirators conform to the?EN 149 standard?and achieve an FFP level through independent testing, for example FFP3.

PAPR – Powered Air Purifying Respirator

Powered Air Purifying Respirator is another name for powered filtering respirators, which include hood and helmet devices meeting EN 12941.

SCBA – Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus is a specialist type of supplied air respiratory equipment that can be required for oxygen-deficient or oxygen-rich atmospheres and exposure to certain gases which cannot be detected via taste or smell.

SCBA is not to be confused with SCUBA, standing for Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus, used by divers.

RPE – Respiratory Protective Equipment

Respiratory protective equipment is a general term for all equipment used to reduce or prevent respiratory exposure to hazardous substances.

QLFT – Qualitative Fit Test / QNFT – Quantitative Fit Test

Fit testing?ensures an individual can achieve a good fit with a specific respirator in a controlled and standardised assessment.

A qualitative fit test (QLFT) is a subjective test, which relies on the test subject detecting a taste, and delivers a pass / fail result.

A quantitative fit test (QNFT) uses objective measurement by specialist equipment and delivers a numerical result, called a fit factor.

MSDS – Material Safety Data Sheet

Material Safety Data Sheets, also called Safety Data Sheets (SDS), are useful documents that can help you to understand the hazardous material and protection requirements. MSDS documents are available from manufacturers and suppliers of hazardous materials.

The MSDS should help to identify appropriate RPE at section 8.2. Some documents detail the specific type or class of respirator required, whereas others can be vague and require technical support to identify the correct protection.

COSHH – Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

COSHH is the abbreviation for the?Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002?which outlines employers’ duties to protect employees from hazardous substances in the workplace.

HAZMAT – Hazardous Materials

HAZMAT is an abbreviation used to describe materials that are potentially hazardous to health or environment when handled or transported.