Supplied air respirators

Supplied air respirators (SARs), also called airline respirators, deliver breathing air from a source independent of the work area through an air-supply hose. Depending on the approved configuration, the air source may be a compressor, ambient-air pump, breathing-air cylinder or facility breathing-air system.

Novarlo’s collection includes loose-fitting hoods, protective helmets, welding headtops and abrasive-blasting respirators from Bullard and RPB. These systems are suited to industrial work where a dependable external breathing-air supply is required. Some products can be configured for either supplied-air or PAPR use; select the supplied-air option shown on the product page and confirm what is included before ordering.

A complete supplied-air respirator system may require a headtop or facepiece, breathing tube, flow-control device, approved air-supply hose and compatible breathing-air source. Air filtration, monitoring and temperature-control equipment may also be required. Components, hose lengths, couplings and flow-control devices must be compatible and used within a manufacturer-approved configuration.

Selection should be based on the identified respiratory hazard, exposure level, required protection factor, work area, hose routing, mobility and need for head, face, eye or climate protection. Tight-fitting facepieces require fit testing. Standard supplied-air respirators are generally intended for non-IDLH atmospheres; IDLH applications require specifically approved equipment and procedures, such as an appropriate combination supplied-air respirator and self-contained breathing apparatus.

If you need help identifying required components or confirming a configuration, contact Novarlo’s respiratory-protection team.