Weldline Silver Zeyphyr Flip Air LS PAPR Parts FAQs
Filters, batteries, hoses, straps and helmet parts for a powered air respirator welding helmet, and how to choose and look after them.
Which parts of a powered air welding helmet system wear out and need replacing?
The HSE lists the key maintenance tasks for powered respirators as changing replaceable filters, cleaning the device, checking the straps for damage and checking the battery charge and flow rate. In a welding helmet system that usually means the main particle filter, any pre-filter, the battery, the breathing hose and its cover, the belt or shoulder strap, and the helmet's own seals, lenses and headgear.
How quickly each wears depends on the work, the fume level and the maker's instructions, so use the manual as your guide.
How often should the main filter be changed?
There is no single interval. The HSE says replaceable filters have a limited capacity and can clog, so they should be changed as the manufacturer instructs and whenever they are damaged, visibly contaminated or when airflow drops.
How quickly a filter loads depends on the amount of welding, the fume produced, the material and the working conditions. Low airflow or a warning from the unit is a sign to stop and check the filter and battery. Fit identical filters together if the unit takes more than one, and change them all at the same time. Never run the unit without the filter fitted.
How should I look after the battery?
The HSE says to make sure battery-powered RPE is fully charged before use and to check the battery charge as part of regular maintenance. Charge it with the charger supplied or specified for it, store and charge it as the manual describes, and replace it when it no longer lasts a full shift or no longer charges properly.
Batteries of different capacities or styles are often made for the same unit, so check that the type you order is listed for your blower. Spare batteries are useful for long shifts, but always check the airflow after fitting one.
How do I check the airflow, and what do I do if it drops?
Always check that the fan is providing enough airflow before you use the device, following the maker's airflow check in the manual. The HSE guidance is clear that you should never keep working if the fan stops or the flow rate falls: leave the work area immediately. If your unit has a low-flow warning, treat it the same way.
Then check for a blocked or loaded filter, a flat battery, a kinked or damaged hose or a loose connection. Do not return to work until the fault is corrected and the airflow check passes. If you cannot find the fault, have the unit examined by a competent person.