I know we have touched on the value of these respirators before. While yes, they will filter smoke/toxic gases etc., and are likely useful in many fire/smoky conditions, please keep in mind they do not supply a source of breathable air containing O2.

If the gas/smoke displaces the O2 containing breathing air, these respirators will not be of much help. In situations where breathable air is displaced by the gas/smoke, only Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) or Supplied Air Breathing Apparatus (SABA) will be of benefit. In most conventional firs,e smoke rises, so the old adage of staying low and crawling is vital. Both super heated air/gases and smoke will be in the higher zones of a room/corridor, so stay low, even with these escape masks/filters.

Pete