EN 1146 covers escape apparatus — equipment not intended for working but purely for getting out of a hazardous area. It is packed in a compact bag, dons quickly and works as a hood, which removes any need for a face seal.
Why a hood rather than a mask
In an emergency, donning a mask correctly and checking the seal is difficult — especially with spectacles, a beard, or under panic. A hood goes over the head in seconds and needs no seal, which makes it more reliable for escape.
Typical characteristics
- Duration of 10, 15 or 20 minutes — sized for the escape route, not for work.
- Single use — the apparatus is replaced after activation.
- Automatic activation as soon as the bag is opened.
- Works in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere, unlike a filtering escape hood.
Such apparatus is mandatory in chemical plants, refineries, on ships and in mines. Units must be visibly sited and reachable — and staff must know in advance where they are.