China has introduced new safety standards for powered air-purifying respirators and self-contained open-circuit compressed air escape breathing apparatuses to ensure technical effectiveness and consumer protection in hazardous environments.
China Sets New Safety Standards for Respirators and Escape Devices
Manufacturers must meet technical requirements for powered air-purifying respirators and escape breathing apparatuses.
What changed
Technical requirements defined for powered air-purifying respirators including classification, marking, test methods, and labeling.
Use excluded in fire scenes, explosion atmospheres, or oxygen-deficient environments for powered air-purifying respirators.
Escape apparatus standards set for self-contained open-circuit compressed air breathing devices for emergency escape.
Packaging requirements specified for escape breathing apparatuses to ensure reliability during accidents.
Who it affects
Respirator manufacturers must comply with technical requirements, test methods, and labeling standards.
Importers of breathing equipment must ensure products meet China’s new national standards.
Industrial facilities must use compliant equipment for protection against particulates and hazardous gases.
Emergency response organizations must use approved escape breathing apparatuses for accident scenarios.
Compliance Analysis: China’s New Safety Standards for Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) and Self-Contained Open-Circuit Compressed Air Escape Breathing Apparatuses
China has introduced updated national standards to regulate the technical effectiveness, safety, and consumer protection of powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) and self-contained open-circuit compressed air escape breathing apparatuses. These standards are established under GB 30864—202X (PAPRs) and GB 38451—202X (escape breathing apparatuses), replacing prior versions and incorporating stricter requirements for design, testing, labeling, and packaging.
1. Scope and Applicability
1.1 Self-Contained Open-Circuit Compressed Air Escape Breathing Apparatuses (GB 38451—202X)
- Purpose: Designed exclusively for escape from hazardous environments in workplaces or public spaces during emergencies1.
- Exclusions: Not applicable to workplace-use self-contained open-circuit compressed air respirators, oxygen respirators, or diving respirators1.
- Definition: A device with a self-contained compressed air source that supplies clean air for breathing, with exhaled air vented directly into the environment1.
1.2 Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) (GB 30864—202X)
- Purpose: Provide respiratory protection in non-IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health) environments by filtering contaminants (particulates, gases, vapors) and delivering purified air via a powered fan2.
- Definition: A breath-following or constant-flow device that uses an electric fan to supply filtered air to the wearer2.
2. Key Technical and Safety Requirements
2.1 Classification and Marking
| Regulation | Category | Marking Requirements | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB 38451—202X | Escape Breathing Apparatuses | – Facepiece Type: Full facepiece (FF) or hood (H)1. – Rated Protection Time: 10 min (10), 15 min (15), 20 min (20), ≥30 min (30)1. – Cylinder Type: Composite (F) or steel (G)1. Example: `Escape Breathing Apparatus GB 38451-202X FF-F-15`1. | 1 |
| GB 30864—202X | PAPRs | – Facepiece Type: Tight-fitting (half/full facepiece) or loose-fitting (hood/loose-fitting facepiece)2. – Pressure Mode: Positive-pressure (P) or negative-pressure (N)2. – Filter Type: Particulate (KP95/KP100), gas/vapor (A/B/E/K/NO/Hg/CO/AX/SX), or combination2. Example: `GB 30864-202X A2K1COKP100`2. | 2 |
2.2 Performance and Testing Requirements
| Requirement | Escape Breathing Apparatuses (GB 38451—202X) | PAPRs (GB 30864—202X) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leakage Rate | – Full facepiece: ≤100 Pa pressure drop in 60s1. – Hood: Tested at the mouth/nose region for inward leakage1. | – Tight-fitting facepieces: ≤5% (half/full facepiece) or ≤1% (full facepiece) inward leakage2. – Loose-fitting facepieces: ≤10% inward leakage2. | 2,1 |
| Breathing Resistance | – Inhalation/Exhalation: Tested at 25 breaths/min, 2 L tidal volume in high/low temperatures1. | – Inhalation: ≤200 Pa (tight-fitting) or ≤100 Pa (loose-fitting)2. – Exhalation: ≤100 Pa (tight-fitting)2. | 2,1 |
| CO₂ in Inhaled Air | ≤1.0% (measured at 20 breaths/min, 1.75 L tidal volume)1. | ≤1.0% (measured at 25 breaths/min, 2 L tidal volume)2. | 2,1 |
| Rated Protection Time | – Minimum: 10 min (tested at 20 breaths/min, 1.75 L tidal volume)1. – Termination Criteria: Breathing resistance failure, CO₂ >1.0%, or cylinder pressure <1 MPa1. | – Manufacturer’s Design Duration: Must meet minimum flow rate (MMDF) for the claimed duration2. – Actual Flow Rate: Tested under simulated breathing conditions2. | 2,1 |
| Flame Resistance | – Test Method: Exposed to 800±50°C flame for 60±6 mm/s1. – Requirement: No sustained burning or melting1. | – Test Method: Exposed to 800±50°C flame for 60±6 mm/s2. – Requirement: No sustained burning or melting2. | 2,1 |
| Structural Integrity | – Head/Hood Material: ≥20 N tear strength, ≥30 N seam strength1. – Full Facepiece: ≥150 N bond strength for harness1. | – Breathing Hose: Must withstand 50 N compression without >20% flow reduction2. – Facepiece/Hood: ≥50 N axial pull force without detachment2. | 2,1 |
| Cylinder and Valve Safety | – Safety Valve: Must release at 1.2–1.5× working pressure1. – Thread: G 5/8" internal thread (GB/T 7307—2001)1. | – Gas Cylinders: Must comply with GB/T 5099.1/3/4 (steel) or GB/T 28053 (composite)1. | 1 |
| Weight | – Maximum: Not explicitly specified, but must allow unassisted donning1. | – Manufacturer’s Claim: Must not exceed ergonomic limits (tested with 1.75±0.05 m wearer)2. | 2,1 |
2.3 Labeling and Packaging Requirements
| Requirement | Escape Breathing Apparatuses (GB 38451—202X) | PAPRs (GB 30864—202X) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Labeling | – "For escape use only"1. – Manufacturer name/trademark, model, production date, working pressure1. – Warning labels (e.g., "Do not use in explosive atmospheres")1. | – Facepiece Type/Pressure Mode (e.g., PFF for positive-pressure full facepiece)2. – Filter Type/Class (e.g., A2K1COKP100)2. – Intrinsically Safe Marking (if applicable, per GB 3836.1—2021)2. | 2,1 |
| Packaging | – Materials: Non-corrosive, non-toxic1. – Contents: Product certificate, instructions, moisture-proofing1. – Markings: Manufacturer, model, production date1. | – Instructions: Must include usage limits, donning/doffing procedures, maintenance, and storage conditions2. – Compressed Air: Must comply with GB 31975—20251. | 2,1 |
3. Testing Methods
3.1 Escape Breathing Apparatuses (GB 38451—202X)
- Leakage Rate: Tested per GB 2626—2019 (oil-based aerosols)1.
- CO₂ in Inhaled Air: Measured at 20 breaths/min, 1.75 L tidal volume1.
- Flame Resistance: Exposed to 800±50°C flame for 60±6 mm/s1.
- Practical Performance: Tested at −15±3°C (walking at 6 km/h) and 60±2°C1.
- Static Pressure: Measured in full facepiece with supply valve closed1.
3.2 PAPRs (GB 30864—202X)
- Inward Leakage: Tested per GB 2626—2019 (oil-based aerosols)2.
- Actual Flow Rate: Measured with a breathing machine (10–40 breaths/min, 1.0–3.0 L tidal volume)2.
- Flame Resistance: Exposed to 800±50°C flame for 60±6 mm/s2.
- Breathing Hose Compression: 50 N force applied; flow reduction ≤20%2.
- Practical Performance: Simulated wearer movements (e.g., walking, bending)2.
4. Manufacturer and User Obligations
4.1 Manufacturer Responsibilities
- Instructions: Must include:
- Certification: Must provide product certificates and risk assessments1.
4.2 User Responsibilities
- Selection: Choose respirators per GB 18664—2025 (respirator selection, use, and maintenance)2,1.
- Maintenance: Follow manufacturer instructions for cleaning, storage, and battery management (for PAPRs)2.
- Training: Ensure users are trained in donning, doffing, and emergency procedures2,1.
- Filter Replacement: For PAPRs, replace filters based on manufacturer’s design duration or when warning indicators activate2.
5. Key Updates from Previous Standards
5.1 GB 38451—202X (vs. GB 38451—2019)
- Stricter Leakage Rate: Full facepiece leakage reduced from ≤200 Pa to ≤100 Pa1.
- Added Requirements:
- Revised Testing:
5.2 GB 30864—202X (vs. Prior Standards)
- New Classifications:
- Enhanced Testing:
Summary Answer
China’s new safety standards for powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) (GB 30864—202X) and self-contained open-circuit compressed air escape breathing apparatuses (GB 38451—202X) introduce stricter technical requirements, classification systems, and testing protocols to ensure effectiveness in hazardous environments. Key provisions include:
- Classification and Marking: PAPRs are categorized by facepiece type (tight/loose-fitting), pressure mode (positive/negative), and filter class (e.g., KP100 for particulates, A2 for organic vapors)2, while escape breathing apparatuses are marked by facepiece type (FF/H), rated protection time (10–30 min), and cylinder material (F/G)1.
- Performance Standards: Both devices must meet leakage rates (≤1–10% inward leakage), breathing resistance (≤100–200 Pa), CO₂ limits (≤1.0%), and flame resistance (800±50°C)2,1. Escape apparatuses must also demonstrate practical performance at −15°C and 60°C1.
- Labeling and Packaging: Products must display warning labels (e.g., "For escape use only"), manufacturer details, and compliance with compressed air quality standards (GB 31975—2025)1. Packaging must be non-corrosive and moisture-proof1.
- Testing Methods: Include dynamic breathing simulations, flame exposure tests, and structural integrity checks (e.g., 50 N axial pull force for PAPR hoses)2,1.
- Updates from Prior Standards: GB 38451—202X reduces leakage rate limits and adds exhalation valve durability tests1, while GB 30864—202X introduces breath-following PAPRs and expanded filter classifications2.
These standards align with GB 18664—2025 (respirator selection/use) and GB 31975—2025 (compressed air quality), ensuring consumer protection and technical reliability in hazardous environments2,1.
Sources
- ↩ WTO TBT notification 26-03581 — China https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/TBT/CHN/26_03581_00_x.pdf
- ↩ WTO TBT notification 26-03582 — China https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/TBT/CHN/26_03582_00_x.pdf