Respirators in Pakistan Types Uses Prices & Safety Guide. Respirators are personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to protect users from inhaling hazardous dust, fumes, gases, vapors, or oxygen-deficient air. They are widely used in Pakistan across industrial plants, hospitals, construction sites, shipyards, oil & gas facilities, and emergency response departments.
International respiratory protection standards are guided by the International Organization for Standardization and the National Fire Protection Association. In Pakistan, regulatory compliance aligns with the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority. As per (PSQCA) Standers.
🔎 What is a Respirator?
A respirator is a protective device that:
- Filters contaminated air or
- Supplies clean breathing air from a separate source
Respirators are different from surgical masks because they are designed to create a tight seal around the face and offer certified filtration performance.
⚙ Main Types of Respirators
Demand Valve
Demand valves are widely used in:
- Airline Breathing Apparatus (ABA)
- SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus)
- Scuba diving regulators
- Emergency escape systems
- Industrial breathing systems
1️⃣ Air-Purifying Respirators (APR)
These respirators filter contaminants from the surrounding air.
Types include:
- Disposable mask respirators (N95 type)
- Half-face respirators with replaceable cartridges
- Full-face respirators
- Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPR)
Used in:
- Construction & cement plants
- Welding & fabrication
- Chemical handling
- Pharmaceutical industries
2️⃣ Supplied-Air Respirators (SAR)
Also known as airline breathing apparatus systems.
- Deliver breathable air from a compressor or air bank
- Suitable for long-duration tasks
- Used in confined spaces and hazardous environments
3️⃣ Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
SCBA units carry their own compressed air cylinder.
Used by:
- Firefighters
- Rescue teams
- Offshore emergency crews
Provides 30–60 minutes of breathable air.
4️⃣ Escape Respirators (EEBD)
Emergency Escape Breathing Devices provide short-duration air (10–15 minutes) for evacuation from smoke or toxic environments.
Mandatory in:
- Marine vessels
- Offshore platforms
- Engine rooms
🧰 Key Components of Respirators
Depending on type, respirators may include:
- Facepiece (half or full mask)
- Replaceable filter cartridges
- Exhalation valve
- Inhalation valve
- Head harness
- Air supply hose (SAR systems)
- High-pressure cylinder (SCBA systems)
- Demand valve
- Pressure regulator
🌊 Respirators & Scuba Equipment Connection
Some respirator systems are closely related to scuba and emergency breathing equipment:
- Scuba Cylinders (200–300 bar) – Used in diving and SCBA systems
- Diving Regulators – Function as demand valves
- Full Face Masks – Used in both industrial and underwater applications
- High-Pressure Air Compressors – Fill cylinders for SCBA and diving
- Cascade Storage Systems – Store compressed breathing air
Commercial diving operations in coastal cities like Karachi often use both respirators and scuba systems depending on the work environment.
🏭 Applications of Respirators in Pakistan
Respirators are essential in:
- Oil & gas refineries
- Shipyards and ports
- Steel mills
- Chemical factories
- Mining operations
- Power plants
- Hospitals and laboratories
- Fire departments
Growing industrial development has increased demand for certified respiratory protection equipment.
💰 Respirator Prices in Pakistan
| Type | Estimated Price Range (PKR) |
|---|---|
| Disposable Respirator (N95 Type) | 300 – 1,200 |
| Half-Face Respirator | 4,000 – 18,000 |
| Full-Face Respirator | 18,000 – 65,000 |
| Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) | 85,000 – 250,000 |
| Supplied Air Respirator System | 120,000 – 450,000 |
| SCBA Set | 250,000 – 600,000 |
Prices vary depending on certification, brand, filtration class, and pressure rating.
🧪 Maintenance & Safety Guidelines
For optimal protection:
- Perform regular fit testing
- Replace filters and cartridges as recommended
- Inspect face seals for cracks or damage
- Store in clean, dry areas
- Conduct air quality testing for supplied-air systems
- Perform hydrostatic testing for cylinders
⚠ Improper use or poor maintenance can result in serious health risks including toxic gas exposure or oxygen deficiency.
Respirators play a critical role in protecting workers and emergency responders across Pakistan’s industrial, marine, healthcare, and oil & gas sectors. Whether using air-purifying masks for dust protection or SCBA systems for high-risk rescue operations, selecting certified equipment and following strict maintenance procedures ensures safety, compliance, and long-term reliability.