Avon Protection, part of Avon Rubber p.l.c., will be launching its CE approved FM53 respiratory system at The 10^th International Symposium on Protection against Chemical and Biological Warfare Agents exhibition in June. Demonstrations will also feature to give visitors a full picture of the mask’s key benefits.

 The FM53 has been specifically designed to fight the multiple threats today’s modern war fighters face. When used in combination with the ST53™ Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) system, it becomes one of the most technically advanced respiratory solutions on the market today, with the ability to change between negative and positive pressure capability at the switch of a lever.

 The FM53 is the only mask of its kind, offering users the highest levels of versatility, comfort and protection against traditional chemical and biological warfare agents, select Toxic Industrial Materials (TIMs) and particulate matter. Its unique shape allows for the easy incorporation of a helmet interface, as well as a drinking system that is capable of drawing half a litre of water in three minutes for rehydration purposes. A range of accessories are also available, including robust and flexible visor attachments for high intensity light situations and extreme environments, and a voice projection unit that offers clear audible speech between operatives. With the added benefit of CE certification, users from both the military and civil sectors now have a multifunctional mask that they can use in any given CBRN situation without the need to change equipment. It is currently being trialled and tested by a number of European police forces and Military Special Forces.

 Alongside the FM53 will be the market leading C50 and the FM50 twin conformal filter general service military mask – making up the 50 series. Through these revolutionary systems, Avon has bought to the marketplace the best in protection, comfort and flexibility. The C50 was developed in line with the latest NATO requirements, and has achieved both CE and NIOSH CBRN certification. Its innovative design features optimise the user’s time in the operational area, whether it’s for battlefield CBRN protection, specialist law enforcement or counter terrorism operations. It is currently going into service as the standard respirator with two NATO countries, and is currently being evaluated by a number of others. The FM50 was designed to meet the latest NATO forces military mask requirements. It has self-sealing valves reducing the risk of contamination during filter change, as well as an Electronic Communication Port which is universally compatible and provides internal microphone connection to communication systems. It is the ideal mask to counter the multiple CBRN threats in modern war fighting, anti-terrorist and peace keeping operations.

 Matt Evans, Sales & Marketing Director at Avon Protection, explains: “Modern warfare is changing apace, and it is our responsibility to our troops in the field to design and manufacture the best respirators we can that answer all of their requirements for flexibility, comfort and most importantly, safety. By doing this, we have made available a range of masks that not only meet current needs, but are way ahead of the market. It is this attention to detail that has made Avon the number one in CBRN respiratory protection.”

 For further information on these and other key respiratory equipment, please visit www.avon-protection.com.