Respirator promotes comfort, safety in welding environments.
Press Release Summary:
Weighing 3.25 lb, Arc Armor(TM) PAPR (Powered Air Purifying Respirator) incorporates belt/shoulder strap system and adjustable dual fan speeds to increase operator comfort and reduce fatigue. Product decreases operator exposure to welding environment fumes and particulates to meet OSHA regulations, providing assigned protection factor of 25. Along with lithium ion battery immune to memory retention issues, features include audible and vibrating alarms and HEPA filters.
Original Press Release:
Miller's Lightweight Arc Armor(TM) PAPR Provides Superior Comfort, Safety in High Welding Fume Environments
Lighter, more comfortable than competitive units, the new PAPR unit further extends Miller's Arc Armor(TM) line of welding safety products.
Highlights/Key Facts
APPLETON, Wis., June 17, 2009-Miller Electric Mfg. Co. today introduced the Arc Armor(TM) PAPR, a Powered Air Purifying Respirator* with a blower that is 1.3 lbs. lighter than the leading competitor and which incorporates a Miller-exclusive belt/shoulder strap design for maximum comfort. The Arc Armor PAPR features a lithium ion battery with no memory retention from frequent charging, dual air speeds for maximum comfort in varied work environments and audible and vibrating alarms for use in noisy workplaces.
The PAPR comes with a Miller Elite(TM) Series auto-darkening helmet (non-auto-darkening lens model also available) and is certified by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH, 42 CFR Part 84), which covers requirements for respiratory protective devices. Miller's PAPR has an assigned protection factor of 25.
The PAPR is the latest addition to Miller's growing line of Arc Armor welding safety products, which includes welding helmets, apparel and gloves. As with the rest of the Arc Armor line, the PAPR was designed to maximize safety and comfort in welding applications. It was designed after extensive market research showed a growing demand for a lighter, more comfortable respirator that also met the tighter air quality guidelines regarding welding fumes, such as hexavalent chromium.
Miller's Arc Armor PAPR is available through local welding supply distributors, as are Miller's other welding safety products. To find the distributor nearest you, visit www.MillerWelds.com, call 1-800-4-A-Miller (800-426-4553), e-mail info@millerwelds.com or fax 877-327-8132.
* A PAPR uses a blower to pass contaminated air through a HEPA** filter, which removes the contaminant and supplies purified air to a sealed welding helmet.
** High-efficiency particulate air. HEPA filters can remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 micrometers in diameter.
Product Manager Quote
"Lack of comfort is the number one reason why operators don't use personal protective equipment. That's why Arc Armor safety products combine Miller's welding industry expertise and leading edge technology to provide equipment designed with a welder's safety and comfort in mind. Features such as a belt/shoulder strap, less weight and a dual-speed fan mean a lot to someone who is under a welding helmet all day."
-Eric Sommers, product manager, Miller Electric Mfg. Co.
"The comfort of the Arc Armor PAPR can increase operator productivity while meeting or exceeding OSHA guidelines for welding fume exposure, giving managers and safety personnel peace of mind."
-Eric Sommers, product manager, Miller Electric Mfg. Co.
Additional Information
Comfort with Performance
The Arc Armor PAPR's battery technology makes it 1.3 lbs. lighter than the leading respirator brand. It also includes an innovative belt/shoulder strap system-the first of its kind for a PAPR unit-that reduces fatigue over long shifts and distributes weight across both shoulders, to provide a comfortable and secure fit for a wide variety of users.
The Arc Armor PAPR's lithium ion battery eliminates memory retention issues associated with nickel hydride batteries. Memory retention is a battery charging effect that causes unpredictable battery life. The lithium ion power pack can be recharged at any time during its 8-hour charge cycle without reducing battery life, and it also contributes to lighter weight.
To compensate for workplace temperature fluctuations, Miller incorporated a high-speed (200 liters per minute) fan selection to increase the cooling effect in the helmet, while the low-speed (~170 liters per minute) selection exceeds minimum standards for this product category. An exclusive feature of Miller's powered respirator is a vibrating alarm to notify users of low air flow or battery life in noisy environments.
In addition, the type of HEPA filters for the PAPR can be replaced at 15 percent less cost per unit than those of leading PAPR systems.
The PAPR comes complete with:
Protection against hexavalent chromium fumes
The Arc Armor PAPR addresses the latest OSHA guidelines on levels of hexavalent chromium fumes in the workplace. These fumes are given off when welding or cutting stainless steel and can cause a wide variety of respiratory symptoms with long-term exposure.
The new OSHA standard specifies a much lower allowable exposure limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter, down from the previous limit of 52 micrograms per cubic meter. The complete standard can be found on the OSHA web site: osha.gov/SLTC/hexavalentchromium/standards.html or by clicking here.
About Miller
Miller Electric Mfg. Co., headquartered in Appleton, Wis., is a leading worldwide manufacturer of Miller brand arc welding equipment and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW).
For more information, visit Miller's Web site at www.MillerWelds.com, call 1-800-4-A-Miller (800-426-4553), email info@millerwelds.com, fax 877-327-8132, or write to Miller Electric Mfg. Co., P.O. Box 100, Lithonia, GA 30058.
