EN 14594 Continuous Flow Compressed Air Line Breathing Apparatus - Requirements, Testing and Marking

The European standard “EN 14594 Respiratory protective equipment - Continuous flow compressed air line breathing apparatus - Requirements, testing and marking” describes the minimum requirements for continuous flow compressed air line breathing apparatus for use with full face masks, half masks, hoods, helmets or coveralls, and for devices used in abrasive spraying processes, as respiratory protective equipment.

This standard covers devices used with full-face masks, half-masks, hoods, helmets, or coveralls, and includes equipment used in abrasive spraying operations. However, emergency respiratory protective equipment and diving equipment are excluded from this standard.

This standard combines design, material, and performance requirements with laboratory and practical performance tests to assess conformity.

Respiratory protective devices are classified according to the maximum inward leakage given in the table titled "Classification" within the standard and the strength requirements shown below:

• Class A respiratory protective equipment must meet the lower strength requirements of this standard.
• Class B respiratory protective equipment must meet the higher strength requirements of this standard and be tested for flammability of the compressed air supply tubing.

The classification was determined as follows:

• 1A and 1B: Maximum inward leakage 10,00%
• 2A and 2B: Maximum inward leakage 2,00%
• 3A and 3B: Maximum inward leakage 0,50%
• 4A and 4B: Maximum inward leakage 0,05%

Class 4A respiratory protective equipment must include a full-face mask or hood/helmet/suit conforming to EN 136 standard.

Class 4B respiratory protective equipment must be a full-face mask conforming to EN 136 standard or suitable for use in abrasive spraying operations.

Respiratory protective equipment used in abrasive spraying operations must only comply with class 4B.

In short, the EN 14594 standard specifies the minimum performance, safety, testing, and marking requirements for continuous-flow compressed air line breathing apparatus used as respiratory protective equipment. This standard plays a critical role in ensuring that workers in hazardous environments can reliably breathe breathable air while maintaining their comfort and safety.

The EN 14594 standard applies to continuous flow compressed air line breathing apparatus used with:

• Full face masks
• Half masks
• Headlines
• Helmets
• Protective suits
• Abrasive blasting equipment

This standard covers devices supplied with breathable compressed air via an air line and designed for occupational use. It does not apply to the following:

• Emergency breathing apparatus
• Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
• Diving breathing equipment

This includes laboratory and practical performance tests to verify compliance with the standard.

Unlike filtered respiratory devices, devices conforming to the EN 14594 standard do not clean contaminated ambient air. Instead, they deliver clean, compressed air directly to the user from an external source via an air hose.

Continuous airflow ensures the following:

• It provides breathable air.
• It helps prevent pollutants from entering the face mask.
• It increases user comfort by reducing heat and humidity.

The EN 14594 standard recognizes different configurations depending on the following:

• Face mask type
• Airflow characteristics
• Intended industrial application
• Protective headgear or helmet design

Every design should provide adequate respiratory protection while ensuring user comfort and freedom of movement.

The EN 14594 standard specifies performance requirements for numerous characteristics, including:

• Air supply performance: The equipment must provide the following:
  • It must provide adequate airflow under all operating conditions.
  • It must maintain stable respiratory performance.
  • It must prevent interruptions in the air supply.
• Mechanical durability: The following components must withstand the mechanical stresses encountered during industrial operation:
  • Air hoses
  • Connectors
  • Couplings
  • Connecting straps
• Breathing resistance: The respiratory device should maintain low breathing resistance to reduce fatigue during prolonged use.
• Leakproofing: Critical components are evaluated to ensure minimum leakage that would allow hazardous substances to reach the user.
• Temperature resistance: The equipment is tested for operation at specified ambient temperatures to ensure reliable performance.
• Field of vision: Masks, hoods, and helmets must provide adequate field of vision so that workers can perform their duties safely.
• Materials: All materials that come into contact with the user must provide the following:
  • It must be resistant to deterioration.
  • Must be non-toxic
  • It should not cause skin irritation.
  • It must maintain its structural integrity throughout its service life.

The EN 14594 standard includes comprehensive laboratory and practical tests, such as those listed below:

• Airflow measurement
• Mechanical durability test
• Hose strength tests
• Fastener safety test
• Leak assessment
• Breathing resistance measurement
• Temperature conditioning
• Practical performance tests with human subjects
• Markup verification

Practical user tests confirm that the equipment operates effectively under realistic working conditions.

Every certified device must be permanently marked with the following information:

Producer identity

• Product model
• Standard definition (EN 14594)
• Size (if applicable)
• Batch or serial number
• Relevant security information

The accompanying user manual should include the following:

• Assembly procedures
• Control methods
• Operating instructions
• Cleaning guide
• Maintenance programs
• Storage conditions
• Usage restrictions
• Compliant air supply requirements

Equipment conforming to the EN 14594 standard is widely used in industries where airborne pollutants are too hazardous for filtered respiratory devices. These include:

• Abrasive sandblasting
• spray painting
• Chemical processing
• Pharmaceutical production
• Mining
• metalworking
• foundries
• Tank cleaning
• Petrochemical plants
• Confined space operations (when used as part of an appropriate respiratory protection program)

The EN 14594 standard supports compliance with the essential health and safety requirements of the European Directive 2016/425 on personal protective equipment. Manufacturers seeking CE marking for continuous flow compressed air line breathing apparatus typically demonstrate compliance using this compatible standard.

Despite being highly effective, devices conforming to the EN 14594 standard require the following:

• An external source of breathable compressed air.
• Appropriate air quality monitoring
• Regular maintenance and inspection
• Worker training
• Hose management to prevent damage or tangling.

They are unsuitable for applications where a portable, independent air source is required, such as emergency escape or firefighting applications.

In conclusion, the EN 14594 standard is one of the fundamental European standards regulating air-supplied respiratory protective equipment. By setting strict requirements for design, performance, testing, marking, and user information, it helps ensure that continuous-flow compressed air breathing equipment provides reliable protection in hazardous industrial environments. Organizations using equipment compliant with this standard can improve worker safety, support regulatory compliance, and reduce the risk of occupational exposure to airborne pollutants.

For many years, our organization, with its competent and experienced staff, has been understanding the needs of its clients, providing the advanced testing services they require, and assisting them in the establishment, implementation, and improvement of management systems. Within this framework, we also provide testing services in accordance with the EN 14594 standard.