Buyer's Guides
The difference between surgical masks and respirators — what Type I, Type II, Type IIR, FFP2 and FFP3 actually mean, and which to use for each clinical task.
OMS Clinical Team
Product Specialists
Masks and respirators are not the same product and are not tested to the same standard. A surgical mask protects the patient from the wearer; a respirator protects the wearer from the environment. Buying the wrong one is a compliance problem as well as a safety one.
Medical face masks are tested to BS EN 14683 and graded by bacterial filtration efficiency and, for R types, resistance to splash.
| Type | Bacterial filtration | Splash resistant | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type I | ≥ 95% | No | Patients and visitors, low-risk settings |
| Type II | ≥ 98% | No | Clinical use without splash risk |
| Type IIR | ≥ 98% | Yes | Clinical use where splash is possible |
The R suffix is the important part for most clinical buyers. It denotes resistance to splash of blood or bodily fluid, which is why Type IIR is the default for procedural work.
Filtering facepiece respirators are tested to BS EN 149 and classified by how much airborne particulate they filter. Unlike a surgical mask, a respirator is designed to seal to the face, which is why fit matters so much.
| Class | Minimum filtration | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| FFP1 | 80% | Non-toxic nuisance dust |
| FFP2 | 94% | Airborne pathogens, moderate exposure |
| FFP3 | 99% | High-risk aerosol generating procedures |
A respirator only performs to its rating if it seals. Under UK health and safety guidance, staff who rely on tight-fitting respiratory protective equipment should be fit tested for the specific make and model they will wear, and should fit check every time they put one on. Facial hair at the seal line defeats both.
An FFP3 that does not seal offers less protection than a well-fitted Type IIR — and gives the wearer false confidence.
Optimised Medical Supplies stocks Type I, Type II and Type IIR masks and FFP2 and FFP3 respirators, all CE or UKCA marked. Order before 4pm for next-day dispatch on stocked lines.
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