Expert Insights, Respiratory Protection SeriesIntegrated or Waist Mounted: Which PAPR is right for you?
Choosing a Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) Unit can be complicated. To help you make the right decision for your business, our experts take a look at the reasons you may want to opt for either an Integrated PAPR Headtop or a Waist Mounted Blower Unit.
The benefits of PAPR:
Both Waist Mounted and Integrated Headtop varieties of PAPR allow the user to work efficiently, without many of the problems faced when working using tight fitting masks with negative pressure (where air is drawn in and through a filter by the user’s breathing). A powered air system offers positive pressure - a cool air flow ventilates, maintaining comfort even at higher temperatures, and workers will be more comfortable for longer periods and are less likely to overheat. Additionally, PAPR head tops often do not need to be face fit tested to be compliant and some are able to offer much higher protection factors.
The different types of PAPR:
There are a multitude of factors to consider when planning your purchase of PAPR units. As well as knowing the pollutant type and concentration, filters, headtop style and the face fit needs of your workforce, when choosing to use PAPR you will need to decide between the options of having the blower unit of the system mounted either in the headtop, or separately, on the waist, connected to a separate headtop.
Comparison table
Ultimately, neither option is better than the other, as long as you opt for high quality specialist brands. Both Integrated head tops and waist mounted blower units will offer a great user experience with high levels of protection, but the two options offer some different benefits. Choosing one will depend on your own day to day workplace needs, but of course, the specialists at Anchor Safety will always be happy to advise you when making the best decision for your staff and business:
Waist / Backpack Mounted Blowerseg. Drager Xplore 8000 More about the Drager 8000 series | 
Integrated Head Topseg. Pureflo range from Gentex More about the PureFlo range |
| Great Ergonomics | - Reduced weight on the head and neck
- Reduced noise and vibration
- Even weight distribution without filters on the back/batteries on the side
- Good for those who are working bent over, with less unnecessary weight on head
- Allows for extreme lightweight hood versions
| Safe and Easy Working | - Eliminate snagging hazards with no trailing leads, hoses or cables
- No cumbersome waist mounted unit allows the user freedom of movement in restricted space areas
- No interference with other body worn PPE or tool belts
- Easy to use when driving machinery or other seated or upright roles
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| Strong Performance
| - Longer life batteries and filters available
- Visual indicators can provide more complex information
- Multi sensory: Sound, light & vibration alarms included.
| Simplicity | - Simple and quick to use, pick up, turn on and don
- Fewer moving parts mean less and simpler maintenance
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| Robust
| - Easier/Cheaper to replace damaged helmets
- More security for belt mounted unit
- Ultimate cleanability - parts are simpler to strip down for maintenance without Electronics in the helmet
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