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Asset Type
Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR)
Manufacturer
Model
Versaflo TR-300 / TR-600 Series
Manual Reference
3M Versaflo TR-300, TR-300+, and TR-600 Series User Instructions; 3M Inspection, Cleaning, and Storage Procedures Technical Bulletin, August 2020 Revision 4; component-specific instructions.
Manufacturer Recommendation / AEM Status
3M instructs users to inspect the complete PAPR before each use and clean and inspect it after each use and before storage. Airflow and low-flow alarm checks are pre-use functions using the correct model-specific airflow indicator and instructions. Remove damaged, nonfunctional, or alarm-failing equipment from use.
For infrequently used TR-300 motor/blowers, run the motor for five minutes annually. Battery instructions differ by family and storage condition. Filter/cartridge replacement depends on exact configuration, condition, contamination, loading, service life, and the employer's change schedule; do not invent a universal interval. Changes belong under the employer's respiratory-protection program and facility-approved AEM, risk, maintenance, and infection-control processes.
What This PM Procedure Covers
- Exact series and approved component combination
- Blower, filter/cartridge, prefilter/spark arrestor, battery, belt, tube, headgear, and charger
- Inspection, cleaning, drying, airflow, alarms, and storage
- Model-specific battery and infrequent-use maintenance
- Documentation and removal-from-service criteria
Required Tools and Equipment
- Current instructions for the exact blower and every fitted component
- Correct model-specific 3M airflow indicator
- Compatible 3M battery charger
- Approved mild pH-neutral detergent, water, cloths, compatible disinfectant, and PPE
- TR-653 plugs only for TR-600 cleaning methods that require them
- Containment/disposal supplies appropriate to the contaminant and facility policy
Step-by-Step PM Procedure
1. Verify Identification and Approved Configuration
Action: Record asset, exact TR-300/TR-300+ or TR-600 model, serial/lot, battery, filter/cartridge, prefilter/spark arrestor, cover, belt, tube, headgear, charger, and accessories. Verify the combination against 3M/NIOSH approval information.
Expected outcome: The system and authorized configuration are established.
2. Review History and Exposure
Action: Review alarms, airflow, runtime, charging, damage, contamination, cleaning, component changes, storage, recalls, and repairs. Identify the contaminant before disassembly.
Expected outcome: Hazards and unresolved performance issues are known.
3. Remove From Service and Decontaminate Safely
Action: Tag out the PAPR and follow employer exiting, decontamination, infection-control, and disposal procedures before handling exposed parts.
Expected outcome: Personnel and work areas are protected.
4. Disassemble for Inspection
Action: Detach belt, battery, tube, headgear, cover, filter/cartridge, and optional prefilter/spark arrestor per instructions. Do not open the blower housing; it has no user-serviceable internal parts.
Expected outcome: Accessible parts are separated without unauthorized disassembly.
5. Inspect Motor/Blower Housing
Action: Inspect housing and cover for cracks, holes, discoloration, chalking, softness, deformation, contamination under the filter, and damaged inlet/outlet features.
Expected outcome: Housing and cover are intact and clean.
6. Inspect Controls, Display, and Latches
Action: Inspect power switch, releases, battery latch, display, markings, and connections. At startup, confirm all applicable LED/display segments illuminate and remain visible.
Expected outcome: Controls, latches, and visual alarms are functional.
7. Inspect Filter, Cartridge, and Gaskets
Action: Check for damage, wetness, excessive loading, contamination, expired service life, or poor seating. Do not clean filter media. Apply the employer's cartridge change schedule.
Expected outcome: Only approved, serviceable filtration remains in use.
8. Inspect Prefilter and Spark Arrestor
Action: Check optional components for damage, loading, cleanliness, and correct installation. Replace non-cleanable/damaged parts and clean only as expressly permitted.
Expected outcome: Upstream protection is correct and unobstructed.
9. Inspect Battery and Contacts
Action: Check battery housing, latch, contacts, charge, age/history, swelling, leakage, heat damage, cracks, and contamination; confirm blower/charger compatibility.
Expected outcome: The correct battery is undamaged, secure, and charged.
10. Inspect Charger
Action: Inspect the approved charger, power supply, cord, plug, bays, contacts, indicators, and ventilation. Confirm normal indication with the exact battery.
Expected outcome: Charger is intact, compatible, and functional.
11. Inspect Belt and Attachments
Action: Check belt, buckles, straps, mounting points, fasteners, pad, and harness for cuts, chemical damage, elasticity loss, deformation, or insecure attachment.
Expected outcome: Blower support and adjustment hardware hold securely.
12. Inspect Breathing Tube
Action: Flex and inspect the tube, cuffs, threads, seals, swivels, and connections for holes, cuts, kinks, wear, contamination, blockage, or looseness.
Expected outcome: Tube is clean, dry, unobstructed, airtight, and secure.
13. Inspect Headgear and Air Path
Action: Per separate instructions, inspect hood/helmet, visor, suspension, face seal, shroud, inlet, air channels, exhalation features, and connections.
Expected outcome: Headgear and complete air path are intact and approved.
14. Clean Model-Specifically
Action: Wipe the TR-300/TR-300+ blower and battery; never immerse them. For TR-600, use only permitted methods and TR-653 plugs whenever required. Never use solvents, abrasives, compressed air, or vacuum inside the blower.
Expected outcome: Parts are clean without intrusion or chemical damage.
15. Dry and Reassemble
Action: Completely dry all parts, especially tube interiors and contacts. Install the correct filter, options, cover, battery, belt, tube, and headgear; tug-check connections.
Expected outcome: System is dry, complete, and secure.
16. Verify Startup and Indicators
Action: Start and stabilize the blower per exact instructions. Confirm normal sound, airflow selection where fitted, battery/filter indications, and no active alarm.
Expected outcome: Startup and normal indication pass.
17. Perform the Model-Specific Airflow Check
Action: Use the correct indicator, orientation, seal, temperature/elevation method, stabilization time, and minimum mark. For legacy TR-300, run one minute and hold TR-970 vertically; the ball bottom must be at or above the minimum mark.
Expected outcome: Airflow meets the model-specific minimum.
18. Test the Low-Flow Alarm
Action: Perform the exact model's prescribed outlet-restriction simulation. Confirm motor response and audible/visual alarms occur in the specified sequence/time and clear after restriction removal.
Expected outcome: Both alarm indications activate and reset correctly.
19. Complete Battery and Infrequent-Use Maintenance
Action: Recharge after use and follow exact storage/recharge instructions. Remove the battery for long-term storage when directed. If a TR-300 blower is not regularly used, document a five-minute annual run.
Expected outcome: Battery and storage maintenance are current.
20. Final Inspection, Storage, and Documentation
Action: Repeat assembly/function checks, confirm no alarm, and store clean/dry within permitted conditions. Record components, results, cleaning, replacements, and disposition.
Expected outcome: The PAPR is documented, protected, and ready for controlled issue.
Electrical Safety Testing
Routine biomedical ground-resistance and leakage-current testing is not manufacturer-listed for these battery-powered PAPR assemblies. Inspect the external charger/power supply only as directed by its instructions and facility policy. Do not invent limits or perform unauthorized internal tests.
Pass / Fail Criteria
Pass
- Identity and approved configuration are verified
- All blower, filtration, battery, charger, support, tube, headgear, seal, and air-path checks pass
- Cleaning/drying complies with the exact series
- Airflow meets its model-specific minimum
- Audible and visual low-flow alarms operate and reset
- Battery/storage and applicable annual blower-run work is current
Remove From Service
- Approval, identity, compatibility, service life, or instructions cannot be verified
- A component is damaged, deteriorated, improperly wet, contaminated beyond approved cleaning, incorrectly assembled, or nonfunctional
- Airflow is below minimum or an alarm indication fails
- Battery/charger is damaged, incompatible, overheated, swollen, leaking, or unreliable
- Required cleaning, replacement, repair, or final verification is incomplete
Copy/Paste CMMS Work Order Procedure
Use current 3M instructions for the exact blower and every component. Never use a PAPR that fails airflow or alarm testing, never clean filter media, and never immerse a TR-300/TR-300+ blower or battery.