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Swiss Air System
Optrel presents the revolutionary Swiss Air respiratory protection system, featuring a ventilated half mask which covers the facial/nose area and supplies the user with clean and purified air, adding crucial protection against harsh chemicals. With or without the use of a chest control panel, this equipment achieves your own personal independence and freedom for whatever the user may have in mind for welding, grinding, automotive, and chemical applications and can be used with construction/industrial helmets.

Swiss Air System FAQs

Straight answers to the questions people ask most when choosing and using a powered air-fed half mask system for welding.

What is a powered air-fed half mask system?icon-minus-redicon-plus-red

It is a respiratory protection system made of a small blower unit, filters, a breathing hose and a half mask worn over the nose and mouth, usually under a welding helmet. The blower draws in air through the filters and pushes the cleaned air along the hose into the mask.

Because the air is pushed in, the pressure inside the mask is slightly higher than outside, which helps keep contaminated air out and makes breathing easier. It is used for welding, grinding and some other dusty or fume-heavy jobs.

How is it different from a full powered air helmet?icon-minus-redicon-plus-red

With a powered air helmet, clean air is blown across the whole face inside the helmet. With a half mask system, air goes only to a mask over the nose and mouth, and the helmet sits over it as normal.

The half mask approach lets you keep a favourite helmet or a hard hat combination, and it can feel lighter around the head. A full helmet system tends to be simpler to put on and may suit people with facial hair or who find a mask uncomfortable. The right choice depends on your work, your preferences and the level of protection needed.

What does it protect against and what are its limits?icon-minus-redicon-plus-red

It protects against whatever the fitted filters are designed to remove. Particle filters deal with welding fume and dust, and gas or vapour filters can be added for certain gases, vapours or chemicals in the work environment. Filters must be the right type for the hazard.

It does not supply fresh air from a cylinder or compressor, so it must never be used in places where there is not enough oxygen, such as some confined spaces. It does not protect your eyes or face, either, so you still need a suitable welding helmet or visor.

Do I need to be fit tested, and can I wear it with a beard?icon-minus-redicon-plus-red

A half mask is a tight-fitting face piece. It only works well if it seals properly on the face, and stubble, beards and some facial hair can break that seal. Under HSE guidance, tight-fitting masks should be fit tested to the individual user for the model and size being worn.

If you have a beard or heavy stubble, a loose-fitting powered helmet or hood is generally a better answer. Ask your employer about fit testing before relying on any tight-fitting mask, and do a quick seal check each time you put it on.

Will it fit under my existing welding helmet?icon-minus-redicon-plus-red

Possibly, but not always. The mask, hose and the space inside the helmet all have to work together, and some helmets have limited room at the chin or around the face. Hose position, helmet size and any hard hat or accessories also matter.

Some systems are supplied as matched packages with a helmet that is designed to work with the half mask. If you want to use your own helmet, check with the maker or our team that the combination is suitable before buying.

What are the controls and warnings on the unit?icon-minus-redicon-plus-red

Different systems offer different features. Some have a control panel worn at the chest or on the belt that lets you adjust the airflow and shows information such as the state of the battery and filters. Others are simpler, with a fixed flow setting.

Most have an alarm or indicator that warns if the airflow drops, the filter is clogged or the battery is low. Learn what the signals mean before you start work. If an alarm sounds, move away from the hazard to clean air and check the equipment before going back.

As fully trained and certificated distributors for the Swiss Air system, we are qualified to give you expert advice and instruction on the Swiss Air system and other alternative Optrel systems. 

  • Flame retardant ventilated half mask. Positive pressure enhances breathing and reduces fatigue.
  • Infinitely adjustable headband, ranging for XS to XL sizes.
  • Y-hose function with adjustable neck strap and flexible hose leads the air directly to into the half mask.
  • Shoulder harness designed for perfect weight distribution of the filter system at only 550g.
  • TH3 certified particle-master filter. Lightweight, comfortable to carry, incredible efficient.
  • Blower unit with automatic air flow calibration. 14h battery for an uninterrupted working day.
  • Chest control panel includes filter contamination and battery charge status, air flow control and on/off switch, altitude and temperature compensation.