Guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting the 3M™ Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) TR-300 Assembly

The purpose of this letter is to provide guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting the 3M™ TR-300 Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) Assembly, following potential exposure to coronaviruses such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Please always refer to the latest information from trusted sources such as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), the European Centres for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization regarding selection, use, maintenance and cleaning of personal protective equipment.

http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers/

http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/Pages/home.aspx

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/coronavirus_infections/en/

The US CDC published “Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, 2008” (CDC Guideline 2008) William A. Rutala, Ph.D., M.P.H., David J. Weber, M.D., M.P.H. and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC). http://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/pdf/guidelines/Disinfection_Nov_2008.pdf This document includes information on disinfecting equipment and surfaces potentially contaminated by coronaviruses. As MERS-CoV is a relatively new virus, the CDC has not published to date specific information regarding disinfection of this virus.

In the CDC’s 2008 Guideline, many chemicals were investigated and several chemical germicides were cited by the US CDC to be effective for coronaviruses, when used as indicated in the product user instructions. Two of these chemicals can be used to clean 3M™ powered air purifying respirators per the User Instructions and those included in this document:

Effective after a 1-minute contact time:

• Sodium hypochlorite (at a free chlorine concentration of 5,000 ppm), or
• 70% ethyl alcohol.

Your facility should review this information thoroughly prior to selecting the disinfecting product for your equipment and specific application. Please note that 3M has not evaluated the effectiveness of these agents with regards to inactivating viruses on 3M equipment.

Note that components of PAPR respiratory systems may become damaged over time with prolonged or extended use of disinfecting products. As discussed in the User Instructions, users must inspect the components of their PAPR respiratory systems following each disinfecting cycle and prior to re-use. If you discover any signs of damage, remove the component from service and discard and replace or repair as appropriate, following the guidance in the product User Instructions. Follow the hygiene and infection control practices established by your employer for the targeted organisms or for coronavirus.

Follow the hygiene and infection control practices established by your employer for the targeted organisms or for coronavirus.

Cleaning, sanitizing and/or disinfecting the 3M™ TR-300 Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) Assembly:

Follow the following general guidelines for cleaning your TR-300 PAPR assembly. Please also refer to 3M Technical Data Bulletin #198 Inspection, Cleaning and Storage Procedures for 3M™ TR-300 PAPR Assemblies.

3M Technical Data Bulletin #198 (PDF, 47 KB)

General

1. 1.It is important to follow all steps
2. 2.Cleaning is recommended after each use. Nitrile or vinyl gloves should be worn during cleaning and other personal protective equipment (PPE) as indicated
3. 3.With any disinfecting agent, follow the User Instructions in regards to usability, application and contact time, and ensure all components are thoroughly rinsed with fresh, warm water and thoroughly dried before use or storage.

Initial Steps and Inspection

1. 1.It is important to follow the User Instruction inspection procedures supplied with the TR-300 PAPR unit and headgear to identify any damage, excessive wear, or deterioration of components and replace them as necessary.
2. 2.Detach the battery pack, breathing tube, waist belt and headgear from the motor/blower.
3. 3.Discard the breathing tube cover, if one is used.

Headgear

1. 1.Clean all parts of the headgear assembly with a clean soft cloth dampened with warm ~49°C (120°F) water containing a mild pH neutral (pH 6-8) detergent. Refer to the headgear specific User Instructions for cleaning details. Do not soak the headgear during cleaning.
2. 2. Wipe the headgear with a clean soft cloth dampened with one of the disinfectant cleaners listed above (sodium hypochlorite at a free chlorine concentration of 5,000 ppm, or 70% ethyl alcohol). Follow the user instructions for the selected disinfectant. Do not soak the headgear.
3. 3.Wipe all headgear components with a clean soft cloth dampened with clean warm ~49°C (120°F) water..

Motor/blower unit and battery pack

1. 1.Do not allow liquid to enter the air outlet port or the motor housing area.
2. 2.Use caution if cleaning around the battery pack connector pins where the battery seats on the bottom of the motor/blower unit. Ensure this area and the pins are thoroughly dry before next use or storage.
3. 3.Clean the outer surfaces of the TR-300 PAPR assembly and battery pack with a clean soft cloth dampened with warm ~49°C (120°F) water containing a mild pH neutral (pH 6-8) detergent. Refer to the TR-300 User Instructions for cleaning details. Do not immerse the motor/blower or battery pack during cleaning.
4. 4.Wipe the outer surfaces of the motor/blower assembly and battery pack with a clean soft cloth dampened with one of the disinfectant cleaners listed above. Follow the user instructions for the selected disinfectant. Do not soak the motor/blower assembly or battery pack.
5. 5.Wipe all outer surfaces with a clean soft cloth dampened with clean warm ~49°C (120°F) water.

Breathing tube

1. 1. Clean the breathing tube by wiping it down with a soft cloth dampened with a warm ~49°C (120°F) water and mild pH neutral (pH 6-8) detergent solution. Alternatively, the breathing tube can be immersed in the cleaning solution.
2. 2. Wipe the outer surfaces of the breathing tube with a clean soft cloth dampened with one of the disinfectant cleaners listed above. Follow the user instructions for the selected disinfectant.
3. 3. Wipe all outer surfaces with a clean soft cloth dampened with clean warm ~49°C (120°F) water.
4. 4. Allow the breathing tube to completely air dry prior to reuse or storage. Air dry in an uncontaminated atmosphere, temperature not to exceed ~49°C (120°F). Alternately, dry by connecting to the motor/blower unit and use it to force air through the tube until dry.

HE filter and prefilter

1. 1. Remove the filter from the Turbo PAPR blower assembly. Properly dispose of the used filter according to local regulations. Do not attempt to clean the filter.

After cleaning and drying

1. 1. Reassemble unit as described in the User Instructions.
2. 2. Inspect the PAPR unit and headgear following the inspection procedures in the User Instructions for that item.

Glossary of Terms

Cleaning:

Removal of all soil (organic and inorganic) and foreign material from objects and surfaces. This is typically accomplished with water and mechanical action. Detergents may be used to assist the process.

Note:Failure to remove foreign material (soil, lubricants, etc.) from an object can make the disinfecting process ineffective.

Disinfecting:

A process of inhibiting or destroying disease-producing microorganisms, but may not kill bacterial spores. It usually involves the use of chemicals, heat and/or ultraviolet light and is divided into three categories: high, intermediate and low level disinfection.

Sanitizing:

A process to reduce the number of microorganisms on an inanimate object to “safe” levels, but may not destroy disease-producing organisms, e.g., dishes and eating utensils are normally sanitized.

Sterilizing:

A validated process to render a product free of all forms of viable microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, spores and fungi.

Note: Items must be thoroughly cleaned before effective sterilization can occur.

Disinfecting:

References for Terms

Rutala, WA. American Journal of Infection Control. APIC Guideline for Selection and Use of Disinfectants

Vol. 24, No. 4, pp. 313-342, August 1996.

Rutala, WA. CDC. Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities. 2008.

Before using any of the products or information detailed herein, you must evaluate it and determine if it is suitable for your intended use. You assume all risks and liability associated with such use. 3M makes no warranties relating to the efficacy of any of the products detailed herein in preventing the spread and/or contraction of the coronavirus. 3M will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from any information contained herein, whether direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential, regardless of the legal theory asserted, including warranty, contract, negligence or strict liability.

Technical information provided by 3M is based on experience and/or test data believed to be reliable but the results may not be relevant to every user’s application. For this reason 3M does not accept any responsibility or liability, direct or consequential, arising from reliance upon any information provided. The user should determine the suitability of any disinfectant product for compatibility for use with 3M PSD products. class="MMM--hdg MMM--hdg_6"