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Melksham, United Kingdom - Jul 7, 2009 - The FM53 mask has been specifically developed with the law enforcement and specialist military personnel in mind. A unique product with the ability to function as a negative pressure Air Purifying Respirator (APR) or as a positive pressure Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) mask, this duel capability allows our specialist customers to operate in a changing hostile CBRN environment . The mask meets and surpasses the existing NATO requirements for military CBRN respirators.

Avon has recently completed FM53 performance trials at the world renowned independent testing authority TNO in The Netherlands. The trials focused on the APR performance of the mask and used the latest test method referred to as "The Battlefield Protection Factor Test". Compared to traditional laboratory testing, the test method is stringent. The mask wearer is required to carry out typical military field activities such as running, jumping, diving for cover and digging, whilst being exposed to a very high concentration of CBRN simulant, up to 2 million particles per cm3.

More than 30 individual trials were conducted with a range of subject sizes and with both male and female participants. Results were recorded as a protection factor which represents a ratio of the amount of simulant inhaled by the wearer compared to the concentration to which they have been exposed. Levels of protection measured using the FM53 were extremely high with subjects recording protection factors ratios greater than one million to one.

These results demonstrate the capability for the FM53 to offer the highest levels of protection afforded by any APR mask in the hostile and dynamic environments of the law enforcement and military communities.

For further information on these and other key respiratory equipment, please visit www.avon-protection.com

 

Company Center: Avon Protection Systems