Airline Systems

Reliable respiratory protection for hazardous environments

A supplied air respirator (SAR) system delivers clean, breathable air from a source located outside the work area directly to the user. These systems are typically used when airborne contaminants are present or when oxygen levels may be insufficient for safe breathing.

Unlike air-purifying respirators (APRs), which filter contaminants from the surrounding environment, supplied air respiratory systems provide breathing air through an approved hose connected to a facepiece, hood or helmet worn by the user.

SAR systems are commonly used in high-risk work environments where worker protection depends on a continuous supply of clean breathing air.

Common applications for supplied air respiratory systems

Supplied air respiratory systems are often used in:

• Confined space entry
• Hazardous chemical handling
• Spray painting and coating operations
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Asbestos abatement
• Abrasive blasting and sandblasting operations

Main components of a supplied air respiratory system

A typical supplied air respiratory system consists of four key components:

1. Air source
2. Filtration system
3. Air distribution system
4. Respirator assembly

Each component plays an important role in delivering safe, breathable air to the user.

Air source

The air source provides breathing air to the respiratory system and may be supplied through either a compressor or compressed air cylinders.

Compressors

Compressors provide a continuous source of clean air that is filtered and regulated before reaching the user.

Available configurations include:

• Portable compressor systems
• Stationary compressor systems

These systems are ideal for applications that require extended use or support for multiple workers.

Compressed air cylinders

practical.

• Cart-mounted systems
• Stationary cylinder banks
• Rescue systems utilizing standard self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) cylinders

Additional cylinders can be added to extend operating times when required.

Breathing air filtration

Breathing air quality is critical to worker safety.

In Canada, breathing air supplied to respirator users must meet the requirements outlined in CSA Z180.1 and Grade D compressed breathing air specifications.

When using a portable or stationary compressor, a filtration system is required to ensure air quality standards are maintained. Continuous airflow also helps maintain positive pressure within the respirator, reducing the potential for inward leakage of contaminants.

Grade D breathing air requirements

Breathing air should meet the following requirements:

Breather box filtration systems

Breather box filtration systems help ensure supplied breathing air meets Grade D requirements.

Systems are available in a variety of configurations based on:

• Air consumption (CFM)
• Operating pressure (PSI)
• Number of users
• Respirator type

Available options include:

• Portable filtration systems
• Fixed-panel filtration systems

Air distribution system

The air distribution system regulates and delivers breathing air from the filtration system to the user.

This assembly includes:

• Air pressure regulator
• Pressure gauge
• Safety relief valve
• Approved respirator couplings

Together, these components form the point of attachment (POA).

Depending on the application, the POA may be configured as a portable distribution box or a multi-user manifold system.

Respirator options

Users connect to the system through NIOSH-approved breathing air hose and approved couplings. A maximum of 300 feet of breathing air hose is permitted between the point of attachment and the respirator.

Several respirator options are available depending on the application and workplace hazards.

Pressure-demand respirators with emergency escape cylinders

These respirators provide a continuous source of breathing air while including an emergency escape cylinder for additional worker protection in high-risk environments.

Sandblasting helmets

Designed for abrasive blasting applications, these helmets protect workers from airborne particulates while providing a continuous supply of breathing air.

Constant-flow helmets with cooling

These systems help improve worker comfort in high-temperature environments while maintaining respiratory protection.

Disposable hoods

Disposable hood systems offer lightweight respiratory protection for industries where contamination control and ease of use are important considerations.

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Download the essential guide to respiratory protection

Proper protection of respirator users is the foundation of every successful respiratory protection program.

If you're looking to develop a new program or improve an existing one, our free guide provides practical information to help support your respiratory protection strategy.

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Frequently asked questions