I work in a high rise office building and I am trying to figure out whether to invest in a smoke hood. My get out bag currently has a dust mask (I think N-95) to help me escape if there is smoke.

I understand that there are essentially two types of smoke hoods. The more basic version (approximately $15.00) is essentially a heat resistant plastic bag along with a filter that removes particulate matter. It is essentially an upgraded dust mask to protect your eyes from smoke. The more advanced version (approximately $75 and up) has a respirator (in addition to the heat resistant plastic bag) that includes a catalyst that converts carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. Actually, I guess there is a third category, which includes an activated carbon filter to neutralize some poisonous gasses, but not carbon monoxide.

I looked for testimonials from people who had used a smoke hood in a real emergency situation (the manufacturers offer free replacements to anyone who used a smoke hood in an emergency who provides a testimonial) and found only one testimonial of a woman who used a basic smoke hood after re-entering a burning home in an attempt to rescue the family cat. She said it worked perfectly in connection with allowing her to breathe, but that the smoke was so thick that she could not really see. I found no testimonials of anyone who has used the more advanced smoke hood to escape a fire.

The studies I have been reading simply state that the vast majority of fire related deaths are caused by smoke inhalation instead of burns. I already knew that. However, "smoke inhalation" is too vague.

Is it the particulate matter or the carbon monoxide that causes the majority of smoke inhalation deaths?

Would an N-95 dust mask provide any significant protection from smoke inhalation?

How effective is a moist cloth held over the mouth at providing protection from smoke inhalation?

[EDIT] So far, this is the best information I have found: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/factsheets/respfact.html

Hi

The Draeger "Parat C" sounds like a good option.

http://www.advancesafetyequip.com/index.aspx?Command=GroupInfo&GroupID=5600

The only problem is the elevated price tag ($ 150.00)

Both and neither. Smoke in a "typical" structure fire is a nasty cocktail of chemicals. Almost everything in a modern home is manufactured from some sort of petrolium product. Have pvc pipe for plumbing? when it burns it produces phosgene gas. Phosgene was used in WW1. This is only one very small part of the make up of smoke. It does seem to make some sense that a n-95 mask will offer some limited protection from smoke particultes. My experience has only been with SCBA in the fire service. I have no experience with smoke hoods so I can't really offer any advice except that when the fire alarm goes off in your building LEAVE!

Not trying to be unfriendly {and welcome to the forum), but this topic has come up many times on this forum and there are several threads. A quick search of "smoke hoods" should yield most of the answers you seek.

You can choke on particulates from heavy smoke, but really, it's the toxic gasses that will render you unconscious very quickly. Within a few breaths if enough gasses are present. For a smoke hood, I would prefer something that filtered carbon monoxide (and by default, it should filter out lots of other nasty gasses). As I have in the past, I would recommend the Safe Escape Smoke Hood. It seems to be the best balance of performance and cost.

A smaller option that might be easier to have on or near you would be the Xcaper Mask. Only covers your mouth and nose, but it's more compact than a full hood and still filters CO.

Don't toss that N-95, though. The only real situations where I have had to use an N-95 is when wildfire smoke was in the area but it certainly helped.

How high up is your office?

38th Floor. If there is a fire, my office will be above it or at the same level. Based on the results of 9/11, I'd prefer not to be on the top floor. Oh well.

I've been reviewing the Xcaper product line. It looks to be a significant improvement over the N95 that is currently in my kit. I notice that Xcaper has a "high altitude" filter and a professional filter, and that the high altitude filter is very inexpensive (approx. $7.00). The company's website has testing results from an indepenent laboratory. I assume the tests were conducted on the professional filter. It would be interesting to see if tests have been conducted on the high altitude filter and if so how it performs in comparison to the professional filter.

How about using one of these;

http://www.amazon.com/Spare-Air-3000-3-0-Kit-Yellow/dp/B0000E1R4Z/ref=pd_sbs_sg_3

Also useful if like James Bond you find yourself in a covered swimming pool filled with sharks.

This is what I keep in my briefcase at work: www.myxcaper.com.

Is that practical? Getting rid of CO2 while retaining O2 is hard enough as it is.