Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does this respirator require face fit testing before use?
A: No. The Powercap Infinity uses a loose fitting visor and skirt combined with a constant positive pressure air supply, which removes the need for the tight seal that tight fitting respirators such as FFP3 masks rely on. This means beards, spectacles and facial changes do not affect protection. Traditional face fit testing, and the retesting it requires whenever facial hair or wearers change, is not applicable to this design.
Q: What does the TH3 rating actually mean?
A: TH3 is the highest protection class under EN12941:1998+A2:2008, the European standard for powered air purifying respirators with a hood or helmet. It carries a Nominal Protection Factor of 500, equivalent to a UK Assigned Protection Factor of 40, meaning the unit is designed to reduce the wearer's exposure to airborne particles by a factor of 40 under laboratory test conditions. This sits above the lower TH1 and TH2 classes in the same standard, which offer reduced protection factors. The rating covers particulate protection only, not gas or vapour hazards.
Q: What is this respirator not suitable for?
A: This unit is not designed for use in chemical gas environments, oxygen deficient atmospheres or explosive atmospheres. It should not be fully immersed in water, and the natural rubber skirt is not suitable for operatives with a known rubber allergy. For chemical gas or vapour hazards, a different type of respiratory protection rated to the relevant EN standard is required.
Q: Why choose an integrated helmet unit over a waist mounted PAPR system?
A: A waist mounted PAPR routes air through a hose from a belt mounted fan, adding a trailing hose and a separate battery pack that can catch on site obstructions. The Powercap Infinity houses the turbo blower, filters and battery directly on the helmet, so there is no hose and no separate belt unit to manage. This particularly suits site managers who move quickly between different areas of a site rather than working stationary at a single task.
Q: How long does the battery last on a full charge?
A: The rechargeable battery provides approximately 8 hours of use on a single charge, covering a standard working shift. A heads up display and audible alert warn the wearer before the battery runs low, giving time to plan a recharge. For maximum working life from the unit, allow the battery to run down fully before recharging rather than topping it up partway through a shift.
Q: Can this respirator be used with hearing protection?
A: Yes. The helmet is designed to work with JSP Sonis helmet mounted ear defenders, which attach directly to the same helmet shell without interfering with the visor or airflow system. This allows head, eye, face, respiratory and hearing protection to be combined on sites with elevated noise levels alongside dust hazards.
Q: How do I maintain the filters and know when to replace them?
A: The use by date is printed on the outside of each filter cartridge, and working life also depends on work rate, airflow and the concentration of dust in the atmosphere at the time. Filters are removed by rotating upwards and refitted by aligning the housing and twisting into place, with no tools required. Replace filters as soon as airflow drops or the use by date is reached, since continuing to use a saturated filter reduces the protection factor.
Q: How quickly can I get this respirator delivered to site?
A: Order by 7pm for next day delivery nationwide on stocked lines, with CMT Group's own fleet covering over 95% of the UK mainland rather than a third party courier. Live order tracking and What3Words integration mean the unit can be delivered to a specific site entrance or compound without a postcode. As this is a specialist respiratory PPE item, confirm current stock and lead time at the time of ordering.
Q: How do I know CMT Group stocks the right respiratory PPE for a compliance sensitive site?
A: CMT Group holds BSIF Registered Safety Supplier status alongside ISO 9001:2015 and CHAS Elite accreditation, reflecting an in-house compliance team that checks products against current UK regulations before they reach the catalogue. For procurement teams managing PPE across multiple sites, the EDGE portal provides contract pricing, role based ordering controls and full delivery visibility. Over 400 verified Reviews.io reviews reflect consistent service on safety critical PPE orders.
