R-Tech spiritus doesn't appear to filter fumes properly due to a manufacturing defect.

[markwalberg]

Looking for a bit of guidance/reassurance really, I'm very very new to welding and decided to get myself a decent mask given the extent of projects I want to do as I learn and get better (restoring cars mainly). Naturally I discovered R-tech and they've got good reviews so thought why not. Ordered the spiritus pro. I know from angle grinding stuff in the past that I'm allergic in some way to grinding discs, I get itchy and cough a lot.

From day 1, I could still smell it. Checked the seal, all good, the bag around the head puffs up, suggesting positive pressure inside. This means the issue isn't a leak on the helmet, as it cannot simultaneously pull in contaminated air whilst also being positively pressured with clean air.

That led me to the filter. Initially I couldn't see any issue with it. So I decided to try again. Day 2, worked a bit better after fiddling around with the seal but still not great, I could smell it a bit. Read the instructions and it says along the lines of do not continue using the mask if you can smell it. Great...

Day 3 rolls around, I've been working away for hours grinding and welding (a lot of grinding, a grinder hides my poor welds after all). The mask for sure is stopping particles (no black boogers), but it's not stopping anywhere near the amount of fumes it suggests. I now have a sore throat. Long story short after a couple more days my throat is worse.

I took apart the filter again, and surprise surprise, I found dust that had crept around the lid. The "activated charcoal filter" isn't sealed to the TH3 filter, meaning fumes are able to get around the charcoal filter and pull air in, via the lid, bypassing the charcoal filter.

Has anyone else had these issues? Safety is my number one priority with this, I have underlying lung issues and some form of allergy to grinding discs. I don't want to be dead at 40 because I decided to restore a car.

I'm talking to R-tech at the minute via email, but I'm wondering if they won't let me return it, whether to make a seal to go between the charcoal filter and the TH3 filter using some form of foam ring. At least that way I'll get a seal that actually means the filter works.

 

[jo1010]

I haven't used that mask but it does sound like the seals are not doing their job for whatever reason. I'm fairly sure rtech will have it back for refund/replacement.
One thing to bear in mind though is that no air fed mask will do it's job if the air in a room becomes *saturated* with fumes (including paint fumes too - obviously not in your case though), so there should be some form of either local extraction or through airflow from open doors / windows. No papr mask can protect in those circumstances.

 

[markwalberg]

I haven't used that mask but it does sound like the seals are not doing their job for whatever reason. I'm fairly sure rtech will have it back for refund/replacement.
One thing to bear in mind though is that no air fed mask will do it's job if the air in a room becomes *saturated* with fumes (including paint fumes too - obviously not in your case though), so there should be some form of either local extraction or through airflow from open doors / windows. No papr mask can protect in those circumstances.

I do hope so, I'm just hoping someone has a fix or relatable experience with it as I really like the mask other than the lack of filtering. Build quality is really good and it is very ergonomic.

And Absolutely, i agree. I have both garage doors ajar, with a large ceiling mounted fan blowing out of the smaller door. It gets a very good draft through.
I've done a lot of resin work in the past (years of it) using a JSP PAPR so have learnt the lessons from using that (like plenty of ventilation etc)!