Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) are an important part of respiratory safety. Unlike conventional air-purifying respirators (APRs), PAPRs actively draw surrounding air through its filters, providing workers with greater protection from atmospheric hazards. However, traditional PAPR configurations can come with practical challenges. Waist-mounted battery packs and connecting hoses add bulk and restrict movement, creating fatigue over a long shift.
The CleanSpace ULTRA takes a different approach. Designed to provide powered respiratory protection in a compact, self-contained unit, it combines a lightweight design with smart technology that helps workers and safety managers monitor equipment and filter usage.
1. Freedom to Move, Freedom to Breathe
One of the most noticeable differences with CleanSpace ULTRA is its size and weight.
For suitable applications, PAPRs can offer workers a more comfortable breathing experience, particularly during extended tasks. The CleanSpace ULTRA takes a different approach to conventional PAPR configurations. Instead of relying on a separate waist-mounted battery pack connected by a hose, the CleanSpace system integrates its power unit into a streamlined design worn behind the head. The power unit is lightweight at less than 450g.
Without bulky belts and connecting hoses, workers have greater freedom of movement when navigating workspaces, handling equipment or carrying out maintenance tasks.
This can be particularly useful in industrial and marine environments, where workers may need to move through tight spaces or navigate machinery.
The reduced bulk also makes donning and doffing more straightforward, with fewer components to manage.
Good respiratory protection should support the worker, not get in the way of the work.
2. Smart Filter Monitoring
Managing filter replacement can be challenging, especially when equipment is shared or used across different shifts. Relying solely on visual inspection or manual tracking may make it difficult to establish how much working time a filter has accumulated.
CleanSpace ULTRA addresses through its integration with the SMART App. This useful app allows users to monitor filter usage by the minute, displaying filter consumption and remaining usage information. For applicable gas and vapour filters, users can set service-life limits and monitor usage against those limits.
This provides a clearer picture of equipment usage and helps workers identify when filters require attention. Supervisors and workers no longer need to guess if a filter has reached the end of its operational life. By tracking the time it has spent in use, they can make informed decisions about replacing the filter in a timely manner.
Remember that actual filter life depends on factors such as exposure concentration, the type of contaminant and work environment (temperature, humidity, etc). Tracking working hours supports better management but does not remove the need to calculate filter saturation manually.
3. Better Info For Long-Term Planning
The benefits of filter monitoring extend beyond individual PAPR units.
For organisations managing multiple respirators, the SMART App can give supervisors and procurers greater insight into the effectiveness of their equipment. This helps safety managers move towards a more proactive approach to respiratory protection.
Rather than relying entirely on manual records, organisations can use the usage pattern data to inform their maintenance plans and identify where additional training or attention may be needed.
- Compact, Without Compromise
CleanSpace ULTRA is feature rich despite its compact size:
- AirSensit Technology: Breath-responsive airflow that adjusts to the user’s breathing requirements while maintaining positive pressure.
- Extended battery runtime: Up to 14 hours of operation, depending on filter type, mask seal and working conditions.
- Half-mask and full-face options: Allowing organisations to select a suitable configuration based on their respiratory protection requirements.
- IP65 rating: Provides resistance to dust and water ingress, supporting cleaning and decontamination requirements within its specified limitations.
As with any PAPR, ensure that the right filters are chosen and that the wearer knows how to fit the mask securely. CleanSpace ULTRA is intended for use in environments with sufficient oxygen and is not suitable for oxygen-deficient or immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) atmospheres.
Respiratory Protection That Works Smarter
Choosing respiratory protection comes down to more than price and comparing filtration capabilities. CleanSpace ULTRA delivers beyond the baseline with its compact design and intelligent filter monitoring capabilities. It offers workers a less cumbersome PAPR configuration while giving them greater visibility of filter and battery usage.
At United Resources, we help customers identify respiratory protection solutions suited to their workplace hazards and operational needs.
Speak to Team UR about CleanSpace ULTRA and our range of respiratory protection solutions.
