Smoke hoods: protection from toxic gases in case of fire

Function of emergency smoke hoods

An emergency escape hood is a special protective hood made of robust, coated fabric and equipped with a viewing window and a so-called multi-range filter. Such protection is used especially for rescuing people in smoky areas and for life threatening physical hazards like hydrogen cyanide. Wherever there are smaller sources of fire or where a fire has broken out, escape filter devices are indispensable.The implemented filter should prevent the penetration of toxic gases, vapors or soot particles. In addition, putting on such a mask helps protect the user from dangerous carbon monoxide (CO). This is a substance that is present in fire smoke and can cause fatal smoke poisoning.

Note: Efficient protection against carbon monoxide and smoke inhalation is provided by a so-called catalytic filter. This hopkalite feature ensures the oxidation of the harmful substance with atmospheric oxygen to CO². In this regard, one speaks of catalysis.

Areas of application of a smoke hood in an emergency

In the event of a fire, the fire itself is not the greatest source of danger. Rather, the fire gases or smoke and soot particles are also extremely dangerous opponents for humans. An emergency escape hood weighs around 600 to 800 grams and has a long shelf life. Escape masks are helpful "rescuers in distress" in a wide variety of areas and should therefore not only be kept in stock in fire departments and hospitals.The escape mask...

• protection maintained against smoke, soot and hot vapors.

• prevents the inhalation of deadly carbon monoxide.

• removes sub micron particles.

• is indispensable for protecting the external respiratory tract and eyes from harmful influences.

• is ideal for protection against environmental factors that cause illness.

• is an important utensil for fire departments, in hospitals, in production halls as well as in public facilities.

Good to knowFire escape hoods can easily be used by people wearing glasses, beard wearers or patients with head bandages. High-quality escape masks are tight and relatively easy to put on.

Types of escape hood

Basically, there are two types of escape hoods. For example, at MedSolut.com you can buy high-quality escape hoods that can be put on over the entire head, such as the Dräger PARAT 5500 Dräger PARAT 5510 Single Pack.In addition, you can choose whether you want to order an escape hood with breathing connection or without. In addition, you will find highly functional models designed only for mouth and nose in our excellently assorted store. One of the product highlights in this regard is, for example, the Dräger PARAT 3000.

Smoke hood - for the whole head

The classic fire escape hood without breathing connection is a self-contained breathing apparatus. It does not protect the user from a possible lack of oxygen, but from harmful gases.It has a special filter. This prevents the penetration of organic and inorganic gases , for example:

• Ammonia

• Hydrogen chloride

• Sulfur dioxide

• Hydrogen sulfide

• Hydrogen cyanide

• Chlorine

Here we are talking about so-called fire by-products. Carbon monoxide can also no longer enter the respiratory tract thanks to the catalytic filter.With most masks in this product category, respiratory protection lasts up to a quarter of an hour. In larger buildings as well as in public facilities, in schools, hospitals and fire departments, as well as everywhere where a larger number of people are present, the best possible protection of people must be ensured.

For this reason, it is essential to keep escape masks with or without breathing connections on hand for self-rescue purposes in the event of a fire. This allows people living, working or staying on site for other reasons to be protected from the effects of fire odor, CO, smoke gases, etc. for a certain period of time. Furthermore, masks of this type are optimal for waiting for the arrival of the fire department and other rescue forces.

Escape mask - for mouth and nose only

The escape mask for mouth and nose can save lives in an emergency situation. In chemistry classes, laboratories and medical institutes, working with toxic substances can pose the risk of chemicals entering the surrounding air or causing fires.High-quality escape hoods that adequately cover the mouth and nose are ready for immediate use and can reliably supply the wearer with breathing air for a certain period of time.

This facilitates escape from the danger zone. Even the untrained can easily cope with such a protective device and benefit from compact, reliable protection.Regardless of whether toxic gases or poisonous vapors are involved, half masks with quick-release fasteners or mouthpieces with nose clips should always be available in sufficient quantities in areas with a high hazard potential . In our portfolio we have, for example, the Dräger Parat 3000 ready for you.

Putting on a smoke hood correctly in an emergency

Escape hoods are not worn every day. That's why putting them on sometimes takes some getting used to. Here's how to put on your escape mask correctly in an emergency:

1. First, slightly stretch the opening of the hood so that it is easier to put on.

2. Some masks require beard and eyeglass wearers to wet the rubber seals with petroleum jelly to ensure an optimal seal.

3. After putting them on, check the fit.

4. Block the filter cartridges with your hands and then take a deep breath. This will create a vacuum, which will ensure that no air enters.

5. Then place one hand over the outlet valve and breathe out again, creating positive pressure in the mask. This prevents any more air from escaping.

6. To be on the safe side, check the fit of the mask once again.

Dräger "Parat" 5500 escape hood: design variants

The product variety of high-quality escape masks on MedSolut.com will inspire you. Below, we offer you a brief overview of the best escape hoods from the renowned manufacturer.

Escape hood Dräger "Parat" 5510 - Single Pack

This solid fire escape hood with built-in combination filter provides optimal protection against toxic fire gases, vapors and harmful particles in the ambient air. Maximum usage time should not exceed 15 minutes. The product weighs approximately 790 grams and measures 150 mm x 200 mm x 100 mm.

Escape hood Dräger "Parat" 5520 - Soft Pack

This escape mask is a guarantee of optimal protection against fire gases, toxic fumes and other harmful substances. The recommended duration of use is at least 15 minutes. The product is equipped with a high-quality combination filter and certified according to EN 403:2004. The net weight is 920 grams and the dimensions are 250 mm x 150 mm x 120 mm.

Escape hood Dräger "Parat" 5530 - Hard Case

A high-quality product "made in Germany": to protect against harmful particles from the ambient air from toxic vapors and fire gases, this hood is ideal. The filter performance of the CO P2 combination filter is certified according to EN 403:2004. The hard case protects against splashing water and helps to monitor the expiration date of the filter as well as the device status.

Dräger "Parat" escape hood - training hood

This escape hood is extremely robust and ergonomically designed. As soon as you open the packaging, the filter plug automatically detaches from the filter. This brings it into its position of use, so that you can put the hood on directly. Tightening is not necessary, thanks to the elastic inner straps.

Buy a smoke hood at MedSolut.com - favorable conditions and top quality

At MedSolut.com you can conveniently buy your smoke hood. Feel free to contact our friendly team of experts if you have any technical or product-specific questions. Benefit from the individual consulting offer. We look forward to hearing from you - either by phone at +49 (0) 30 - 209657900 or by e-mail at info@medsolut.com.