• EXPERIENCED
    30+ years of knowledge
  • SPECIALISTS
    Fit2Fit-Accredited
  • GLOBAL
    Delivering training worldwide
  • ONE-STOP SHOP
    Everything in one place

Paint spraying operations often use more than one type of respiratory protective equipment (RPE), with the right kit depending on the coating, the substances released during application, the level and duration of exposure, and the ventilation available in the spraying area. 

For example, when your employees spray isocyanate-containing two-pack coatings, the HSE requires air-fed breathing apparatus with an assigned protection factor of at least 20 and an integrated low-flow warning. In these cases, standard filtering respirators cannot provide suitable protection against the high concentrations of invisible isocyanate mist created inside the booth or room. 

Surface preparation work creates a separate hazard profile – e.g. sanding may produce fine particulate exposure, while mixing and cleaning can expose workers to solvent vapours. For these applications, a P3 filter is designed to capture hazardous particles, such as paint mist or dust, but it does not remove solvent vapours. Your filter selection must therefore reflect the coating being applied, the way it is used and the specific respirable hazards, gases or vapours identified in the product safety information.

How Fire Safe International helps you

We can support you with these challenges in several ways, including:

  • RPE testing for specific tasks

    Our scalable face fit testing service confirms whether each tight-fitting mask achieves an adequate seal on the individual wearer, using the exact make, model and size issued for the task.

  • Compressed breathing air testing for spray booths

    An air-fed visor is only as dependable as its air supply. We can test compressed breathing air at individual outlets against BS EN 12021 and, where included within the agreed service scope, assess the flow available at the point of use against the equipment requirements.

  • RPE wearer training for your spray teams

    Our RPE wearer training takes your employees through the checks and actions required before, during and after spraying, including airline connection, flow confirmation, warning indicators and visor clearance time. Training can also cover suitable cleaning, inspection and storage routines so each set is ready for safe use on the next job.

Creating value for your business

We offer a flexible and scalable service that meets the needs of your operational commitments and budget.

Keep skilled sprayers available

Face-fit appointments can be arranged individually, while training can be staggered around your booth cycles and shift handovers. Breathing-air tests and equipment servicing can be timed to align with planned booth maintenance, avoiding a full paint-line stoppage for one activity.

Let your fit-test results guide your RPE selection

We can use your fit-test results to identify which makes, models and sizes of RPE achieve the right seal across your workforce. This allows us to help you establish a manageable core RPE range, while retaining suitable alternatives for employees who cannot use the ‘standard’ masks. Your purchasing team can then use this evidence alongside the COSHH assessment, manufacturer guidance and task requirements when ordering masks, filters, spares and consumables.

Who we work with 

We work with a range of paint spraying customers, including:

Vehicle body shops and accident-repair centres
Commercial vehicle, trailer and rail refinishing operations 
Manufacturers that apply two-pack or solvent-containing coatings 
Paint-shop managers responsible for booth availability 
Health and safety teams managing COSHH, RPE and health-surveillance programmes 
Multi-site groups seeking consistent controls across several spray facilities 

Why Fire Safe International?

Your spray-booth RPE programme deserves one expert view from the breathing-air outlet to the person inside the booth. At Fire Safe International, we have delivered face fit testing since 1996, and our Fit2Fit-accredited specialists understand both tight-fitting respirators and supplied-air equipment. This broad, multi-industry perspective helps us see mask fit, airflow, equipment condition and wearer behaviour as connected parts of the same control system. By partnering with our experts, you’ll receive bespoke advice shaped around how respiratory protection performs through the complete booth cycle, rather than one isolated test result.

Request Your Site Visit

How often should testing be repeated?

Tight-fitting respirators should be face fit tested before first use. HSE guidance does not prescribe one universal retest interval, so employers should establish an appropriate frequency through their respiratory protection programme, taking account of risk, local procedures and changes that could affect fit. For air-fed breathing apparatus used during isocyanate spraying, HSE guidance recommends monthly breathing-line checks. The frequency of full breathing-air quality testing should be determined through the risk assessment, frequency of use, previous test results, compressor location, maintenance records and the likelihood of contamination. It is important that a history of consistent good air quality and flow can be demonstrated for it to be reliable. Speak to us if you need more advice in this area.

Can training and testing be completed together?

Yes. We’re happy to combine respirator wearer training and face fit testing into a unified on-site programme. Your employees will first cover correct fitting, seal checks, maintenance and filter changes, then complete the mask fit test in the exact make, model and size they will use, or we will help identify which will be the best fit for them.

Can Fire Safe International work around our production schedules?

Yes. We recommend arranging training, face fit testing, breathing-air testing and servicing proactively so they can be built into booth-maintenance periods, anticipated workforce requirements and production schedules. Delivery may be phased across planned groups or sessions, depending on staff numbers, equipment availability and the agreed programme scope.

Next steps

Please call 01743 761000 to speak with a respiratory protection specialist, or book a consultation at a convenient time.