Breathing Apparatus - A Definitive Answer

[Championship White]

This has been asked a couple times without any definitive answer, I've heard of someone local to me using fire-fighting breathing equipment for 2-pack. I know the bottles need to be tested and refilled periodically but just want to know if the fire-fighting set-up provides the same positive air pressure protection as a conventional air-fed set-up.

 

[madkayaker]

yes it does

 

[Championship White]

Thank you Sir!

Maybe I can do some freelance fire-fighting so the kit will pay for itself!

Are there any particular things I should look for when buying it?

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

all there, not ****ed is allways useful a safety test and not nicked is handy too

 

[Championship White]

Good, sounds simple enough, thanks for the help chaps, saved me time and expense certainly!

 

[leeruddock]

how about a battery breathing air mask?

 

[madkayaker]

i wouldn't have thought the filtration would be suitable for 2K but have never used one/ read the instructions

 

[leeruddock]

having looked into this further and consulting hse you would be better off with an air fed mask and 3 stage filtration. if you need any help in sourcing these i would gladly help. I have been in the compressed air and spray equipment industry for 7 years.

Cheers
Lee

 

[Championship White]

Just as an update I bought a Sabre set-up with three cylinders for £187 delivered. Have yet to use it on paint, but have set it up and tried it on and it weighs about as much as a backpack with perhaps 3 red-bricks inside it to get an idea of the weight. The cylinder is about 50 cms long so touches just above your lower back and doesn't really impinge upon movement.

Each cylinder costs £4 to refill at my local diving place and lasts for 35 minutes. I'll be using one cylinder to mix the paint and prep everything ready to spray and then switch to a full tank to spray. A whistle sounds as the pressure decreases and then I'll run around and fit a new cylinder (which takes less than a minute) and come back. So I'll have 90 minutes to paint whatever is needed (an extra cylinder is only £25 so is very cheap if you want more time).

I'll be trying it on 1k paint (as I don't want to try it on seriously poisonous paint without knowing it'll work) and update the thread.

The only serious limitation I can see is the time-limit and having to change cylinders and refill but then you don't need a set of filters or an extra compressor....

Just thought I'd update people who may be searching for answers to the same questions I had.

 

[norsa]

my only reservation about the improvised equipment is visibility. If you're doing a complete car for instance you will need maximum vision, especially in the nooks and cranies (door shuts, wing reveals and the likes). A propper air fed has a wrap around visor to give total periferal vision.

 

[Championship White]

Never worn an air-fed mask to compare but the visibility was as good as I need

I'm not saying that people with air-fed masks will be binning them and donning fire-fighting gear but, if it works, then it's a very cost-effective alternative for those who don't do frequent bodywork but want to use 2k paint and don't have the money or room for an extra compressor and all the trimmings.

Plus the breathing apparatus can be used for fancy-dress so it's win, win!

 

[norsa]

Not to mention the stripogram bookings. Love it.