Originally Posted By: paramedicpete
There could be several reasons to issue single-use escape hood rather then full-face masks/respirator with changeable filters:

Facial hair: If any of the employees have beards or other facial hair that could interfere with the full-face mask/respirator from sealing correctly, they cannot be utilized. It might make it a challenge for the employer to set a no facial hair policy.

Fit and respiratory compliance testing are required annually for the use of a full-face mask/respirator. Each employee would have to receive a respiratory evaluation to make sure they can use a full-face mask/respirator and must then also be fitted with a properly sized full-face mask/respirator.

This could end up costing the employer more then simply issuing a single-use escape hood.

Pete


Fair enough but and undoubtedly sound reasons enough for institutional users to prefer these small 15 minute units but, for the most part, the people on this site are not subject to the same set of considerations.

An institutional user would prefer a one-size-fits-all and containerized unit that can be simply issues one per person without regard to problems of fitting. And of course a pre-packaged unit also eliminates many of the legal problems. If the escape hood fails to work as advertised the family of the deceased are going to sue everyone but mostly it is the hood manufacturer that gets nailed as long and use guidelines were followed.

The non-institutional user doesn't need a one-size solution because the unit can be fitted to each person beforehand. Hirsute individuals can opt for respirators or hoods that allow for this deviant style statement. Also there aren't going to be so many legal concerns. The main down side and concern is dying, not the financial liability if they get sued.