Breathing Tube - 3M Versaflo User Instructions

Fig. 15 – 3M™ Versaflo™ Powered Air Purifying Respirator
TR-600 with filter/cartridge label visible
3. Battery pack: Confirm that the battery pack is fully charged or charge is sufficient for duration of the work period. Ensure
plastic surrounding electrical contact pins are intact. The battery pack must be latched to the motor/blower. Gently tug on
the battery to ensure secure connection.
4. Breathing tube: Examine the entire breathing tube for tears, holes or cracks. Bend the tube to verify that it is flexible.
Ensure the gaskets located at both ends of the breathing tube (i.e. headgear and air source connections) are present and
not damaged. The breathing tube should fit securely into the air source connection.
5. Headgear: Follow the User Instructions supplied with your 3M headgear to ensure correct system operation.
6. Airflow check: The TR-600 is pre-calibrated to ensure required airflow. However, the 3M™ Airflow Indicator TR-971 must
be used to verify minimum required airflow is attained prior to each day's use. The TR-600 compensates for changes in
air density, which is affected by elevation and air temperature. During use, if you suspect the TR-600 is not delivering a
minimum of 6 cfm (170 lpm), exit the contaminated area, see your supervisor, and recheck the airflow with the 3M™
Airflow Indicator TR-971. The airflow is checked with your current filter installed.
• Ensure float ball in the TR-971 moves freely in the tube and the gasket at the bottom end of the tube is in place.
• Insert the TR-971 into the outlet of the TR-600 motor/blower unit. If the breathing tube is in place, it must be removed
to allow the airflow indictor to be inserted (Fig. 16-1).
• Turn the motor/blower unit on by pressing and holding the power button for 1 second. Run the 3M™ Versaflo™
Powered Air Purifying Respirator TR-600 for up to 1 minute to allow the airflow to stabilize.
• With the airflow indicator in a vertical position, ensure that the bottom of the floating ball rests at, or above, the
minimum flow mark for the 'letter' representing your 'Zone' (Fig. 16-2). Airflow indicator must be in the vertical
position for an accurate reading.
• The airflow indicator is graduated into different 'zones' based on air density, which is based on elevation and ambient
temperature. To determine your zone, determine the elevation and temperature for the environment where you are
conducting the airflow check. See your supervisor if you are not certain of these values. Find the zone where your
elevation and temperature intersect on the chart supplied with the airflow indicator (Chart 1). For additional guidance
on conducting an airflow check, consult 3M Technical Data Bulletin #221 Conducting Airflow Check on the TR-600 or
contact 3M Technical Service.
Fig. 16-1 – Attaching airflow indicator Fig. 16-2 – Checking airflow
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°C
m
ft
-305 -1000
0 0
305 1000
610 2000
915 3000
1219 4000
1524 5000
1829 6000
2134 7000
2439 8000
2744 9000
3048 10000
3353 11000 M
3658 12000 N
3963 13000 O
4268 14000 P
4573 15000 Q
4877 16000 R
5182 17000 S
Chart 1 – Determining airflow indicator zone based on elevation and temperature. Recommended use temperature
range: 14°F to 129°F (-10°C to 54°C). Recommended elevation: -328 feet to 16404 feet (-100 meters to 5000 meters).
Contact 3M Technical Service if intended use may be outside of these ranges.
NOTE: If the airflow indicator ball fails to rise at or above the minimum flow level, do not use the motor/blower unit. Refer to
the 3M™ Versaflo™ Powered Air Purifying Respirator TR-600 Troubleshooting Guide or contact 3M Technical Service.
7. Low flow alarm check: Check the low airflow alarm by simulating a low airflow condition. With the motor/blower on:
• Remove the airflow indicator and tightly cover the outlet of the motor/blower with the palm of your hand. The motor
should automatically speed up, attempting to compensate for the low airflow condition.
• Continue to press your palm tightly against the end of the outlet, making a tight seal. In less than approx. 30 seconds, the unit
will sound an audible and vibratory alarm, and the bottom bar on the filter loading/low flow indicator will flash red (Fig 14, #5).
• Remove your hand from the end of the breathing tube. In less than approx. 30 seconds, the audible alarm and the
flashing red LED should both stop when the motor returns to the selected speed.
NOTE: If the low airflow alarm fails to sound, do not use the unit. Refer to the TR-600 Troubleshooting Guide or contact 3M
Technical Service.
ENTERING AND EXITING THE CONTAMINATED AREA
Prior to entering the contaminated area, complete the Inspection procedures listed in these User Instructions and ensure the
selected PAPR setup is appropriate protection for the given airborne contaminant and concentration.
1. Turn the motor/blower on.
2. Recommend to check both the airflow with the airflow indicator and low flow alarms. NOTE: High environmental noise
levels or use of hearing protection may interfere with the user's ability to hear audible alarms. Heavy clothing or tasks with
high vibration levels may interfere with sensing the vibratory alarm. User may need to check for the visual alarms more
frequently in high noise, or high vibration environments.
3. Don the 3M™ Versaflo™ Powered Air Purifying Respirator TR-600 Assembly and Headgear. Enter the work area.
4. Leave the contaminated area immediately if any of the following conditions occur:
a. Any part of the system becomes damaged.
b. Airflow into the respirator decreases or stops.
c. The low airflow or low battery alarms trigger. In the event an audible, visual, or vibratory alarm triggers, the user
should immediately leave the contaminated area.
d. Breathing becomes difficult.
e. You feel dizzy or your vision is impaired.
f. You taste or smell contaminants.
g. Your face, eyes, nose or mouth become(s) irritated.
h. You suspect that the concentration of contaminants may have reached levels at which this respirator may no longer
provide adequate protection.
5. Do not remove the respirator or reach your hand into the headgear in areas where the air is contaminated.
-10 0 10 20 30 40 50
°F
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