Avon Protection are presenting their range of respirator products for the police at the 2006 ACPO Conference between May 23 and 25.
Avon offers respirators to protect the police as well as military, first responder and industrial users.
Avon claims that its newest mask, the C50, is generating interest from UK police forces, particularly among firearms teams at whom the C50 is primarily aimed. Cleveland Police has become the first UK police force to order the C50 and it is undergoing trials with other UK forces.
Avon says it looked at the limitations of traditional masks and so created a wide vision, flexible respirator. The C50’s wide visor improves peripheral vision and identification of people, although one of the most important benefits is the reduction in the feeling of claustrophobia, the makers claim. The blend of silicon and butyl rubber has created a flexible mask , the makers claim. A flatter brow and extended chin flap ensures integration with ancillary equipment, such as safety helmets and protective suits, the makers say. It has a new faceseal with a right or left handed filter mount to give the best possible sighting position for shoulder-mounted weapons and the ability to cater for left handed and right handed users of firearms. The C50 is also CE marked.
Developed by Avon is a new compact CBRN escape hood. The EH20 is a single use, one size fits all respirator. It is designed to fit in a small pouch which can be worn on a belt. On threat of a CBRN incident the EH20 can be donned in less than 30 seconds and allows 20 minutes of protection in the contaminated environment – enough time to get to safety, the firm says. Avon is also showing its FM12 mask, which received CE certification last year; a CBRN mask for UK police forces and NATO military forces.
Avon’s respiratory protection range now extends to Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for the law enforcement sector. In June 2005 Avon Protection purchased International Safety Instruments (ISI) Atlanta Georgia.
About Avon Protection
Avon Protection, a division of Avon Rubber plc, Melksham, Wiltshire, will shortly commence manufacture of the new Joint Service General Purpose Mask for entry into service with all four US armed services in 2006. The overall firm has manufacturing facilities in the UK and USA and employs 4000 people.
