MSA C420 Instructions Manual

C420

Powered Air­Purifying Respirator

Industrial Application
CBRN Application

INSTRUCTIONS

THIS MANUAL INCLUDING THE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS INSIDE, MUST BE READ
AND FOLLOWED CAREFULLY BY ALL PERSONS WHO HAVE, OR WILL HAVE, THE
RESPONSIBILITY FOR USING OR SERVICING THE PRODUCT. These respirators will per­form as designed only if they are used and serviced according to the instructions.
OTHERWISE, THEY COULD FAIL TO PERFORM AS DESIGNED, AND PERSONS WHO
RELY ON THESE RESPIRATORS COULD SUSTAIN SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR
DEATH.

The warranties made by MSA with respect to the product are voided if the product is
not used and serviced according to the instructions in this manual. For any additional
information relative to use or repair, write or call 1-800-MSA-2222 during regular
working hours.

See separate insert for NIOSH Approval Information.
P/N 10071373 (PAPR), P/N 10080165 (PAPR/CBRN)

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 © MSA 2007 Prnt. Spec. 10000005389(A) Mat. 10072074

Doc. 10072074

INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

General Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Limitations of Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Preparing the C420 PAPR For Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Flow Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

onning and Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

D

Negative Pressure Leak Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

emoving the Respirator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

R

Cleaning and Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Charging the C420 Rechargeable Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Cartridge and Battery Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Recertification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

NIOSH APPROVAL INFORMATION
CAUTIONS AND LIMITATIONS

A - Not for use in atmospheres containing less than 19.5

percent oxygen.

B - Not for use in atmospheres immediately dangerous to

life or health.

C - Do not exceed maximum use concentrations estab-

lished by regulatory standards.

F- Do not use powered air-purifying respirators if airflow

is less than four cfm (115 lpm) for tight fitting face­pieces or six cfm (170 lpm) for hoods and/or helmets.

H - Follow established cartridge and canister change

schedules or observe ESLI to ensure that cartridges
and canisters are replaced before breakthrough
occurs.

I – Contains electrical parts that may cause an ignition in

flammable or explosive atmospheres.

J - Failure to properly use and maintain this product could

result in injury or death.

L - Follow the manufacturer's User's Instructions for

changing cartridges and/or filters.

M -All approved respirators shall be selected, fitted, used,

and maintained in accordance with MSHA, OSHA, and
other applicable regulations.

N - Never substitute, modify, add, or omit parts. Use only

exact replacement parts in the configuration as speci­fied by the manufacturer.

O - Refer to User's Instructions, and/or maintenance man-

uals for information on use and maintenance of these
respirators.

P - NIOSH does not evaluate respirators for use as surgi-

cal masks.

S – Special or critical User’s Instructions and/or specific

use limitation may apply. Refer to the User’s
Instructions before donning.

PAPR/CBRN APPLICATION

A- Not for use in atmospheres containing less than 19.5

percent oxygen.

F- Do not use powered air-purifying respirators if air flow

is less than four cfm (115 lpm) for tight fitting face­pieces or six cfm (170 lpm) for hoods and/or helmets.

H- Follow established cartridge and cartridge change

schedules or observe ESLI to ensure cartridges and
canisters are replaced before breakthrough occurs.

I- Contains electrical parts that may cause an ignition

source in flammable or explosive atmospheres.

J- Failure to properly use and maintain this product

could result in injury or death.

L- Follow the manufacturer's User's Instructions for

changing canisters.

M- All approved respirators shall be selected, fitted,

used, and maintained in accordance with MSHA,
OSHA and other applicable regulations.

N- Never substitute, modify, add, or omit parts. Use only

exact replacement parts in the configuration as spec­ified by the manufacturer.

O- Refer to User's Instructions, and/or maintenance

manuals for information on use and maintenance of
these respirators.

R- Some CBRN agents may not present immediate

effects from exposure, but can result in delayed
impairment, illness, and death.

S- Special or critical User’s Instructions and/or specific

use limitations apply. Refer to User’s Instructions
before donning.

T- Direct contact with CBRN agents requires proper

handling of the respirator after each use and between
multiple entries during the same use.
Decontamination and disposal procedures must be
followed. If contaminated with liquid chemical warfare
agents, dispose of the respirator after decontamina­tion.

Y- This respirator provides respiratory protection against

inhalation of radiological and nuclear dust particles.

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 - 10072074

2

INTRODUCTION

Procedures for monitoring radiation exposure and

ull radiation protection must be followed.

f

Z- If during use, and unexpected hazard is encountered

uch as a secondary CBRN device; pockets of

s
entrapped hazard or any unforeseen hazard, immedi­ately leave the area for clean air.

BB- Not for use in entry into atmospheres immediately

dangerous to life or health.

C- For entry, do not exceed maximum use concentra-

C

tions established by regulatory standards.

GG- Direct contact with CBRN agents requires proper

handling of the respirator after use. Correct disposal
procedures must be followed.

QQ- Use in conjunction with personal protective ensem-

bles that provide appropriate levels of protection
against dermal hazard. Failure to do so may result in
personal injury even when the respirator is fitted
properly, used, and maintained.

UU- The respirator should not be used beyond eight (8)

hours after initial exposure to chemical warfare
agents to avoid the possibility of agent permeation. If
liquid exposure is encountered, the respirator should
not be used for more than two (2) hours.

VV- PAPRS with TC-23C approvals may NOT be used for

escape from IDLH atmospheres.

S – SPECIAL OR CRITICAL USER’S INSTRUCTIONS

During use of the C420 PAPR, the atmosphere must be

onitored for the level of contamination and a means of

m
escape must be provided in the event that the contamina­tion level increases to immediately dangerous to life and
health (IDLH) levels.

he C420 PAPR must be properly inspected before use,

T
properly decontaminated, if necessary, after use, properly
cleaned and maintained after use, and properly stored
between uses.

The C420 PAPR contains a battery and may not be taken
into or used in atmospheres containing flammable or
explosive gases, vapors, or dusts when the concentration
of such contaminants is near or above the lower flamma­ble limit (LFL).

Do not use the C420 PAPR for firefighting, in oxygen-defi­cient atmospheres, or for protection against airborne con­taminants from which the cartridge does not protect.

3

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 - 10072074

NOTES

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 - 10072074

4

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE AND CARE

CBRN Application

• This respirator provides LIMITED protection. It is
NIOSH approved for respiratory protection against
atmospheres containing CBRN (chemical, biologi­cal, radiological, and nuclear) warfare agents; how-

ver, it cannot protect against all possible warfare

e
agents.

• Some CBRN agents may not present immediate
effects from exposure, but can result in delayed
impairment, illness, or death.

• DO NOT use without a complete understanding of
the instructions and limitations for this respirator
and proper training. Misuse can prevent the respi­rator from providing the necessary protection.

• CBRN agents may NOT be detectable by smell or
sight. Don respirator before entering an area sus­pected of containing CBRN agent. Follow proce­dures established by proper authorities.

• DO NOT use this respirator beyond eight (8) hours
after initial use in an atmosphere containing CBRN
agents or beyond two (2) hours after initial use in
an atmosphere containing CBRN agents in liquid of
mist form; otherwise agent permeation may occur.

• DO NOT remove respirator until respirator and
clothing are decontaminated; otherwise exposure
to CBRN agent may result. Follow decontamination
and disposal procedures established by appropri­ate authorities.

1. An adequate respiratory protection program must
include knowledge of hazards, hazard assessment,
selection of proper respiratory protective equip­ment, instruction and training in the use of equip­ment, inspection and maintenance of equipment,
and medical surveillance.

2. This respirator will perform as designed only if
used and maintained according to the manufactur­er's instructions. The Program Administrator and
the users must read and understand these instruc­tions before using or servicing this product.

3. If the respirator does not perform as specified in
this manual, it must not be used until it has been
checked by authorized personnel.

4. DO NOT alter, modify, or substitute any compo­nents.

5. Inspect the respirator regularly and maintain it
according to the instructions. Repairs must only be
made by properly trained personnel.

6. This respiratory protective device does not supply
oxygen. Use only in adequately ventilated areas
which conform to the appropriate standard.

7. This respirator must be used in conjunction with
the proper cartridges for protection against specif­ic contaminants. If you cannot determine that the

cartridges used with this device is designed for the

ontaminant, or if you do not know the identity of

c
the contaminant, do not use this device.

. DO NOT use when concentrations of contaminants

8

are unknown.

9. DO NOT block the cartridges.

10. DO NOT use when appropriate exposure limit (PEL,
REL, TLV, etc.) is not known.

1. Leave the contaminated area immediately if:

1

a. Breathing becomes difficult
b.Dizziness or other distress occurs
c. You taste or smell the contaminant
d.You experience nose or throat irritation
e. Instructed by responsible individuals

11. Use strictly in accordance with the instructions,
labels, and limitations pertaining to this device.
Follow an established canister/cartridge(s)
changeout schedule.

12. This respirator may not provide a satisfactory seal
with certain facial characteristics, such as beards
or large sideburns that prevent direct contact
between the skin and the sealing surface of the
facepiece. Do not use this facepiece if such condi­tions exist.

13. DO NOT wear eyeglasses under the facepiece. The
temples or sidebars on eyeglasses will prevent an
air-tight seal. If you must wear glasses, install the
spectacle kit.

14. The user must perform a respirator fit test
(Quantitative Test or Qualitative Test) and follow all
warnings and limitations specified.

15. Wear impermeable protective clothing to prevent
exposure to gases and vapors which can poison by
skin absorption.

16. DO NOT use this respiratory protective device in
explosive atmospheres.

17. DO NOT use for urethane paints or other paints
containing diisocyanates unless an appropriate
cartridge change-out schedule is developed. Due
to their poor warning properties, over exposure
can occur without user awareness and result in
severe permanent damage to the respiratory sys­tem. If unable to develop an appropriate change­out schedule, use an air-supplied respirator or
SCBA.

18. The C420 PAPR has no user-serviceable parts
except as instructed in this manual.

19. DO NOT drop the C420 PAPR. If the C420 PAPR is
dropped leave the contaminated area immediately
and inspect the unit for damage. If the plastic car­tridge or blower housing is cracked it may cause
contaminants to get into the system.

Failure to follow all warnings, instructions, and estab­lished protective measures can result in serious per­sonal injury or death.

5

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 - 10072074

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE AND CARE

The C420 PAPR must be properly prepared for use, flow

ested, properly donned, and a negative pressure leak test

t
must be conducted in an area known to be free of conta-

inants before it can be used.

m

Before entry into a contaminated area, the maximum safe
duration of use must be estimated. The maximum safe
duration of use depends primarily on:

The amount and type of contamination in the air and

•
the capacity of the cartridge to absorb or neutralize
that contaminant.

• The amount of airborne particles (dust) in the atmos­phere.

• The charge contained in the battery.

• The physiological limits of the respirator user.

The maximum expected cartridge life shall be predeter­mined based on a determination of the amount of conta­minant in the atmosphere and the capacity of the car­tridges together with the expected air flow through the
cartridges. An average airflow of approximately two cubic
feet per minute (2 CFM) will flow through each cartridge
during prolonged use.

The single use battery may be used up to eight (8) hours

nder certain conditions. The rechargeable battery may

u
be used for up to four (4) hours under certain conditions.

ir flow must be checked as described in these instruc-

A
tions for maximum protection.

After four (4) hours of use, the user must leave the conta­minated area, decontaminate if required, and check the

irflow with the Airflow Indicator (Refer to the Flow Test

a
with Cartridges Installed section) when using the single
use battery. Thereafter, the air flow must be checked at
least every two (2) hours of use. (Refer to the In-Use Flow
Test section) After four (4) hours of use the user must
leave the contaminated area, decontaminate if required,
and discontinue using the respirator when using the
rechargeable battery.

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 - 10072074

6

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

T

Mixture

=

C

Mixture

+ + + . . .

T1T2T

3

C1C2C

3

DESCRIPTION

The C420 Respirator is a blower-assisted, air-purifying

espirator referred to as a Powered Air-Purifying

r
Respirator or a PAPR.

The filtering system consists of a waist-mounted battery­driven blower assembly device and two (2) cartridge-type

ilter media. The blower assembly contains an electric

f
motor driving an air blower. A compartment for a non­rechargeable 6 volt (nominal) lithium-sulfur dioxide (LI­SO2) battery pack or a rechargeable 4.8 volt (nominal)
nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack is located on the
bottom of the blower assembly. There are two (2) thread­ed inlets on the front of the blower assembly for the
attachment of the cartridges (sold separately). The user of
the respirator breathes ambient air after the air has
passed through the cartridges. The cartridges include a
mechanical filter to trap airborne particles and may also
include a sorbent bed of impregnated activated carbon to
trap and/or neutralize various gases/vapors.

The blower assembly assists breathing by drawing air
through the cartridges and delivering the purified air
through a breathing tube to the facepiece. An airflow indi­cator (P/N S-30020) used to check for minimum airflow is
provided with the C420 PAPR filtering system. To maintain
respiratory protection:

• The user must be properly fit tested to the respirator
facepiece before use (refer to the appropriate
Facepiece User Instructions Manual)

• The blower, with cartridges installed, must be tested
with the airflow indicator both prior to use and at pre­scribed intervals during use to monitor battery life and
cartridge efficiency.

The C420 PAPR can be used with MSA Millennium

®

Facepiece and Ultra Elite®Facepiece. Refer to the sepa­rate NIOSH Approval Labels (P/N 10071373 and

10080165) for a complete list of approved part numbers

and limitations.

4. This respirator can be used for protection against a
ixture of contaminants that are present simultane-

m
ously or alternately against one contaminant then

nother (using the same cartridges or filters) if the

a
mixture meets the following conditions:
a. The cartridge/canister/filter must be approved for all

contaminants present.

b.Particulates (dusts, mists, fumes, asbestos,

adionuclides) can be mixed with any other particu-

r
late or any gas or vapor for which the cartridge/can­ister is approved.

c. Contaminants present simultaneously must be below

IDLH levels for the specific contaminants. If any one
contaminant in the mixture exceeds the IDLH con­centration then the entire mixture must be treated as
IDLH and the respirator cannot be used (except for
escape from particulates with appropriate filter).”

EXPOSURE LIMITS

A listing of acceptable exposure limits from the following
sources is provided in MSA’s Response® Respirator
Selector:

- American Conference of Governmental Industrial

Hygienists (ACGIH)

- Occupational Safety and Health Administration

(OSHA)

- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

(NIOSH)

- American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)

Contact MSA at 1-800-MSA-2222 for information.

Exposure Limits for Mixtures

The American Conference of Governmental Industrial
Hygienists (ACGIH) publishes the following information to
determine the TLV of a mixture.

First determine the total concentration of the chemical
mixture (C
centrations (C1, C2, C3, . . . ) using the following formula:
C

Mixture=C1+C2

Mixture

) from the individual contaminant con-

+ C3+ . . .

RESPIRATOR USE LIMITATIONS

The respirator must not be worn in atmospheres which
exceed any of the following limitations:

1. Maximum use concentrations
a. Full facepiece and hood PAPRs: 1000 times the

exposure limit for the contaminants present.

b.Half-facepiece PAPRs: 50 times the exposure limit

for the contaminants present.

c. 1000 parts per million organic vapors (for organic

vapor respirators).

2. The limitations outlined in the applicable NIOSH
approval.

3. Any applicable limitation contained in a standard
established by a regulatory agency (such as OSHA)
with jurisdiction over the wearer.

The TLV of the mixture is found by using the following for­mula where T1, T2, T3, . . . are the individual contaminant
TLVs and C1, C2, C3, . . . are the individual contaminant
concentrations:

Only use these equations if the contaminants present are
actually mixed. Some substances do not mix and may be
present separately, for example, in pockets or at different
levels. In that case, the lowest TLV of the substances pre­sent must be used to determine the appropriate respirator
category for protection against all contaminants present.

7

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 - 10072074

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

See MSA’s Response Respirator Selector for additional

nformation.

i

echnical Information

T

Airflow: When used with the MSA battery packs, the C420
PAPR provides a constant filtered airflow of a minimum of
115 l/m to the facepiece.

attery Packs: Non-rechargeable 6 volt (nominal) lithium-

B
sulfur dioxide (LI-SO2) battery pack or a rechargeable 4.8
volt (nominal) nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack.

Weight: Blower assembly with battery pack and two car­tridges (approximately 4lbs).

Contents

he C420 PAPR filtering system kit is shipped with the

T
components listed.

Note: Upon receipt of PAPR kit, inspect the contents for
shipping damage and ensure all components are present.

• C420 PAPR Blower Assembly
Breathing Tube Assembly

•

• Decon Belt Assembly

• LI-SO2 Single Use Battery Pack

• Airflow Indicator

• User’s Instruction Manual (with NIOSH Approval
Information)

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 - 10072074

8

PREPARING THE C420 PAPR FOR USE

CHECKPOINTS BEFORE USE

1. Check that all parts of the respirator are complete and
undamaged. See the Inspection section for inspection
procedures.

2. Check that the cartridge or canister approval is appro-

riate and effective against the contaminant in the use

p
environment. Always use two MSA cartridges or can-

sters of the same type.

i

DO NOT cross thread any C420 PAPR components
during assembly. Cross threading can cause the con­nection to feel tight, but a sufficient seal would not be
achieved. Failure to follow this warning can result in
serious personal injury or death.

INSTALLING THE WAISTBELT

1. Note the lacing path of the belt through the male
buckle.

2. Remove the male buckle and keeper loop from the
end of the belt.

3. Thread the belt through the two belt loops on the back
of the blower assembly.

4. Replace the keeper loop and lace the male buckle
back onto the belt.

Note: Ensure the belt is properly tightened so that the
C420 PAPR blower does not fall off or slide down the
body during use.

When powering the blower assembly with the NiMH

attery Pack, use the green battery cap assembly sup-

B
plied with the NiMH Battery Pack.

O NOT completely discharge a rechargeable battery.

D
Rechargeable batteries must not be used for more

han four (4) hours at a time. Failure to follow this cau-

t
tion can result in reduced airflow and can cause the
battery to be permanently damaged.

Installing the Green Battery Cap Assembly (for NiMH
Battery Packs only)

1. Remove the black battery cap assembly by turning it
counter-clockwise.

2. Feed the split ring on the retaining lanyard through the
securing hole on the C420 PAPR blower housing.

3. Retain the black cap assembly for possible future use
with LI-SO2 Battery Packs.

4. Attach the green battery cap assembly by feeding the
split ring on the retaining lanyard completely through
the securing hole on the C420 PAPR blower housing.

Installing the Battery Pack into the Battery
Compartment of the Blower Assembly

DO NOT use any battery which shows signs of dam­age, such as bulging, swelling, disfigurement, or liquid
in the plastic wrap. Failure to follow this warning can
result in serious personal injury or death.

1. Ensure the blower switch is in the “OFF” position.

INSTALLING THE BATTERY PACK

Note: Each battery cap assembly has a retaining lanyard

to prevent loss.

Lithium-Sulfur Dioxide (LI-SO2) Battery Pack

When powering the blower assembly with the LI-SO2
Battery Pack, use the black battery cap assembly sup­plied with the C420 PAPR blower assembly.

Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery Pack

Note: Before initial battery pack use, or if battery pack

has not been used for an extended period of time (several
months), perform (3) 6-hour charge/4-hour discharge
cycles for optimum battery performance. The discharge
cycles should be completed with the blower running in a
non-hazardous environment, with no breathing tube or
cartridges attached to the blower.

Note: See the Charging the C240 Rechargeable Battery
section for detailed battery charger use instructions.

Note: Damage may occur to the battery if the switch is
left in the “ON” position when the battery is installed.

2. Remove the battery cap assembly from the C420
PAPR blower by turning it counter-clockwise.

3. Remove the battery from its packaging.

4. Inspect the battery for signs of damage.

The Lithium-Sulfur Dioxide (LI-SO2) Battery Pack used
in this equipment contains pressurized Sulfur Dioxide
(SO2) gas. The gas is toxic and the battery must not
be abused in any way which may cause the battery to
rupture. DO NOT handle the battery directly if you
detect an odor like that of vinegar or rotten eggs.
Such odor indicates exposure to battery gas leakage,
which can lead to serious personal injury or death.

9

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 - 10072074

PREPARING THE C420 PAPR FOR USE

5. Install the battery into
he battery compart-

t
ment in the blower
assembly, contact end
(metal ring) first. An ori­entation label is located

ust inside the battery

j
compartment.

6. Replace the battery cap assembly by threading it

clockwise onto the blower assembly.

AIRFLOW TEST (LESS CARTRIDGES)

Testing the Operation of the Blower Assembly with the
Airflow Indicator

1. Inspect the airflow indi-

cator to verify that the
O-ring is present and in
good condition. The
red ball must move
freely within the col­umn.

7. Observe the reading on
he airflow indicator.

t
With the blower
assembly running and
no cartridges installed,
the red ball will rise to

he top of the airflow

t
indicator.

8. Turn the blower to the “OFF” position.

9. Remove the airflow indicator

INSTALLING/REPLACING THE CARTRIDGES

• Know the contaminant(s) in the environment before

entering. Always check that the filter cartridges are
appropriate for use in the environment. A filter car­tridge which is not designed for the contaminant
present may not provide protection.

• Two new MSA cartridges of the same type must be

installed before each use.

• DO NOT reuse cartridges. Cartridges are intended

for one time use only.

Failure to follow this warning can result in serious per­sonal injury or death.

2. Remove the green seal plugs from the outlet and car­tridge mounting ports of the blower assembly. Do not
discard the plugs. The plugs will be used when storing
the C420 PAPR.

3. Insert the airflow indi­cator into the blower
assembly air outlet.
Push the airflow indica­tor into the air outlet
until it bottoms out on
the shoulder.

4. Position the blower assembly in an upright position so
the airflow indicator is vertical on top of the blower
assembly.

5. Turn the blower to the “ON” position to verify opera­tion.

6. Support the blower assembly on a horizontal surface
so that the airflow indicator is approximately vertical.

Note: The C420 PAPR must be used with two MSA car­tridges of the same type. Refer to the NIOSH Approval
Label for approval information.

After verifying that the cartridge type is appropriate for
use in the environment:

1. Verify shelf life expiration date on carton, bag, and
canister/cartridge(s) label has not been exceeded.

DO NOT use an expired cartridge.
DO NOT use the canister/cartridge if the bag is
opened, damaged, or missing. The cartridge must be
in its original packaging prior to use in a contaminated
environment. Do not reuse the cartridge.

Failure to follow this warning can result in serious per­sonal injury or death.

2. Remove cartridges from the packaging.

3. Inspect the cartridges to be sure that it is not dam­aged.

4. Remove the green protective plugs from the blower
assembly cartridge inlets and outlet. Do not discard

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 - 10072074

10

PREPARING THE C420 PAPR FOR USE

the plugs. The plugs will be used when storing the

420 PAPR.

C

5. Inspect the gray gas­kets in each of the car­tridge ports. If either

asket is damaged or

g
missing, replace the
gasket(s) (P/N B­60026-002).

Note: When replacing the gasket(s), take proper care to
ensure that the cartridge inlet port threads are not dam­aged.

• DO NOT replace cartridges in a contaminated area.
Be sure to follow applicable decontamination pro­cedures

• If the respirator does not perform as specified, it

ust not be used until it has been checked by

m
authorized personnel.

• Return to a non-contaminated area immediately if
you experience unusual sensations (nausea, dizzi­ness, eye irritation, unusual odor or taste, exces­sive fatigue, or difficulty breathing).

Failure to follow this warning can result in serious per­sonal injury or death.

AIRFLOW TEST (WITH CARTRIDGES INSTALLED)

DO NOT use a C420 PAPR blower with one or both of
the gaskets damaged or missing. Failure to follow this
warning can result in serious personal injury or death.

6. Remove both cartridges from their packaging.

7. Inspect the cartridges to be sure that they are not
damaged.

Note: Cartridges are considered to be in service when
they are removed from their packaging. Cartridges are
intended for one time use only.

8. Attach both cartridges
to the blower assembly
by threading them
snugly into the car­tridge ports, hand­tight.

Failure to verify proper airflow from the blower assem­bly may result in reduced performance of the unit,
resulting in serious personal injury or death.

Conducting the Airflow Test

1. Inspect the airflow indicator to verify that the O-ring is
present and in good condition. The red ball must
move freely within the column.

2. Position the C420 PAPR blower in the upright position
so the airflow indicator is vertical on top of the C420
PAPR blower assembly.

3. Insert the airflow indicator into the blower assembly air
outlet. Push the airflow indicator into the air outlet until
it bottoms out on the shoulder.

4. Turn the blower assembly to the “ON” position.

5. Support the blower assembly on a horizontal surface
so that the airflow indicator is approximately vertical.

6. Observe the reading on the airflow indicator.
Acceptable performance shall be indicated by the
position of the red ball being above the line marked on
the outside of the column.

Note: With fresh cartridges and a new battery installed,
the red ball should rise nearly to the top of the airflow
indicator.

DO NOT over-tighten the cartridges. Over-tightening
may distort the gasket resulting in leakage that may
expose the user to substances resulting in serious
personal injury or death.

For CBRN Applications Only

DO NOT use this respirator beyond eight (8) hours after
initial use in an atmosphere containing CBRN agents or
beyond two (2) hours after initial use in an atmosphere
containing CBRN agents in liquid or mist form; otherwise,
agent permeation may occur.

INSTALLING THE BREATHING TUBE

Attaching the Breathing Tube assembly to the Blower

1. Remove the green plug from the breathing tube inlet.
Do not discard the plug. The plug will be used when
storing the breathing tube.

11

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 - 10072074

. Inspect the gray gasket

2

in the breathing tube
inlet. If gasket is dam­aged or missing,
replace the gasket (P/N

-10022-001).

B

3. Attach the breathing
tube inlet to the blower
outlet connection and
snugly hand-tighten.

PREPARING THE C420 PAPR FOR USE

Attaching the Breathing Tube Assembly to the

acepiece

F

1. Remove the green plug from the breathing tube outlet.
o not discard the plug. The plug will be used when

D
storing the breathing tube.

2. Attach the breathing tube outlet to the facepiece inlet

connection and snugly hand-tighten using the hand­wheel.

The handwheel on the breathing tube must rotate eas­ily. If debris has stopped the handwheel from rotating
easily, the faceseal could leak if the breathing tube
gets moved while on the user’s face. Failure to follow
this warning can result in serious personal injury or
death.

The C420 PAPR is now ready for use. The user must fol­low the donning procedures before actual use of the res­pirator.

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 - 10072074

12

DONNING AND USE

DONNING

Note: Refer to the facepiece user instructions for face-

iece donning instructions.

p

• Donning, doffing, and obtaining and checking for a
roper facepiece seal must be done in an area

p
known to be free of contaminants. The user must
have practiced this procedure before attempting to
use the respirator for respiratory protection.

• When wearing an Ultra Elite Facepiece, ensure the

breathing tube connection is parallel to the user’s
shoulders.

• When wearing a Millennium Facepiece, ensure that

the breathing tube goes around the body on the
same side as it is connected to the facepiece
breathing tube inlet.

Failure to follow this warning can result in serious per­sonal injury or death.

Donning the Blower Assembly

1. Examine the breathing tube assembly to verify that it

is properly tightened to both the facepiece and the
blower assembly.

2. Examine the cartridges to verify that they are properly

installed to the blower assembly.

3. Turn the switch to the “ON” position to confirm that

the battery is installed and the blower assembly is
working.

4. Turn the switch to the “OFF” position.

5. Don the waistbelt with the blower assembly with the

C420 PAPR blower outlet located at the top of the
unit.

6. Fasten the buckle and

adjust the waistbelt.

thing and pull the facepiece away from the face which

ould break the facepiece seal.

c

f either one of these conditions is present, one of the fol-

I
lowing actions must be taken:

• change the position of the blower on the waist to cre­ate or remove slack in the breathing tube.

• use a different length breathing tube to create or

emove slack in the breathing tube.

r

Note: The C420 PAPR may be used with either a standard
(PN S-30116) or a long (PN S-30118) breathing tube.

Note: Use a buddy, if the situation permits, to ensure that
the C420 PAPR is donned correctly (the head harness is
in place, the blower is positioned correctly, the waist belt
is secure, and all components are properly assembled
and tightened).

NEGATIVE PRESSURE SEAL TEST

The Negative Pressure Seal Test must be performed each
time the facepiece is donned. A good face-to-facepiece
seal must be verified before entering a hazardous area.

Perform the test as follows:

1. Ensure respirator is assembled properly.

2. Close off the inlet side of both cartridges by placing
palms of the hands over cartridge inlets and press
firmly to seal inlets.

3. Inhale gently and hold breath for 10 seconds. If the
seal is good, the facepiece will collapse and remain
collapsed against face. Remove hands and breathe
normally.

4. If the facepiece did not remain collapsed during the
test, or any leakage is noticed, check each cartridge
or breathing tube connection for looseness or cross
threading. Perform Negative Pressure Seal Test again.

5. If this does not correct the leak, the facepiece will not
provide protection. If the leakage is from the face seal,
a different size mask may be tried. If other than face
seal leakage is detected, the cause of the leak must
be corrected before performing another test.

The C420 PAPR blower may be worn in multiple positions
on the waist. When the respirator is donned, ensure:

• that the breathing tube is not excessively tight. During
use there should be no movements that can cause the
breathing tube to become tight and pull the facepiece
away from the face which could break the facepiece
seal.

• that the breathing tube is not excessively loose.
During use there should not be enough slack in the
breathing tube such that it could get caught on some-

Note: Protective clothing and headwear, if used, must be
arranged so that it does not interfere with the fit of the
facepiece or restrict airflow to the cartridges.

This device may not seal properly with your face if you
have a beard, gross sideburns or similar physical
characteristics (see ANSI Z88.2). An improper facial
seal may allow contaminants to leak into the face­piece, reducing or eliminating respiratory protection.
Do not use this device if such conditions exist. The
negative pressure seal test must be conducted and
passed before each use. Never remove the facepiece

13

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 - 10072074

DONNING AND USE

except in a safe, non-hazardous, non-toxic atmos-

here. Failure to follow this warning can result in seri-

p
ous personal injury or death.

USING THE C420 PAPR

nce the user has properly donned the respirator the

O
blower should be turned on and the hazardous atmos­phere may be entered.

Immediately leave the contaminated area if the air­borne contaminant is detected by odor, taste, eye irri­tation, or if any discomfort is felt during use. Failure to
follow this warning can result in serious personal
injury or death.

If air flow is noticeably decreased or stops completely,
leave the contaminated area immediately. Failure to
follow this warning can result in serious personal
injury or death.

If the battery compartment becomes hot to the touch,
leave the contaminated area and turn the switch to
the “OFF” position immediately, decontaminate if nec­essary, and check the respirator. Failure to follow this
warning can result in serious personal injury or death.

IN-USE FLOW TEST

Conducting an In-Use Flow Test

Note: The user must leave the contaminated area and if

ecessary, be decontaminated.

n

1. Remove the breathing tube from the blower.

2. Install the airflow indicator (Refer to the Air Flow Test
with Cartridges Installed section).

3. Turn the blower assem­bly switch to the “ON”
position. Ensure the
red ball rises above the
line on the air flow indi­cator.

DO NOT use the respirator if the red ball does not rise
completely above the line on the air flow indicator.
Failure to follow this warning can result in serious per­sonal injury or death.

a. If the red ball does not rise completely above the

line on the air flow indicator:

• Replace the battery and recheck airflow

• Reseat the canisters and recheck airflow.

b. If the red ball still DOES NOT rise completely above

the line on the air flow indicator remove the respira­tor from service.

When to Conduct an In-Use Flow Test

1. If, at any time, the user leaves the contaminated area,
perform an in use flow test and negative pressure seal
test before reentering the contaminated area.

2. If using a single use LI-SO2 battery, conduct an in-use
flow test after four (4) hours of use and again two (2)
hours later after six (6) hours of use.

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 - 10072074

Note: If, after obtaining an acceptable flow test, the user
intends to reenter the contaminated area, a successful
negative pressure seal test must be performed (Refer to
the Donning section).

14

REMOVING THE RESPIRATOR

DECONTAMINATION

DO NOT remove respirator until respirator and protec­tive clothing are decontaminated; otherwise, exposure
to contaminants may result. Follow decontamination

nd disposal procedures established by appropriate

a
authorities. Failure to follow this warning may result in
serious personal injury or death.

Once the protective equipment has been decontaminated,
proper disposal of affected equipment must be per­formed. Disposal is to be performed as required by feder­al, state, and/or local laws.

When conditions are safe to remove and handle the respi­rator, the switch can be moved to the “OFF” position, and
accessories/components (belt, cartridges etc) can be
removed. Refer to the facepiece user’s instruction manual.

DO NOT reuse the cartridges. Cartridges are consid­ered to be in service when they are removed from
their packaging. Cartridges are intended for one time
use only and must be disposed of upon termination of
use.

1. Open the battery compartment by unthreading
counter-clockwise) the battery cap assembly.

(

2. Remove the battery.

. The non-rechargeable LI-SO2 battery must be dis-

a

posed of on termination of use. Do not reuse the
battery.

b.The rechargeable battery can be charged according

to the instructions on the battery label in the

harging the C420 Rechareable Battery section of

C
these User Instructions.

The rechargeable battery can only be charged using
the MSA battery charger. Failure to follow this warning
can result in serious personal injury or death.

DO NOT dispose of batteries as ordinary trash. Follow
the instructions included in the Disposal of Cartridges
and Batteries section.

3. Clean, inspect, and prepare the C420 PAPR for the

next use.

15

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 - 10072074

NOTES

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 - 10072074

16

CLEANING AND INSPECTION

CLEANING AND DISINFECTING

All components (facepiece, breathing tube, motor-blower,

attery pack, and waistbelt) must be thoroughly cleaned

b
after each use. Clean the respirator after each use with
Confidence Plus® Cleaner (P/N 10009971) from MSA.
Refer to the label for use instructions. A solution as effec­tive as Confidence Plus Cleaning Solution and compatible

ith MSA respirator components may be substituted.

w

Be careful that you do not breathe or touch the conta­minant in handling the respirator or its parts. Use
equipment designed to protect you from the specific
contaminant. If necessary, dispose of equipment to
protect yourself from the contaminant. Failure to fol­low this warning can result in serious personal injury
or death.

Note: The used cartridges and LI-SO2 battery must be

removed from the respirator and disposed of as directed
in the Disposal of Battery and Cartridges section.

1. Preparing the cleaner:
a. Follow the instructions with the Confidence Plus

Cleaning Solution.

b.If the Confidence Plus Cleaning Solution is not

used, prepare in accordance with the instructions
provided with cleaning products.

2. Disconnect the breathing tube from the facepiece.

3. Clean and disinfect the facepiece. Refer to the face­piece user’s instruction:

4. Separate the motor-blower, breathing tube, waistbelt,
and filter or chemical cartridges.

5. Inspect the equipment for worn inlet gaskets, dam­aged threads, cracked plastic components, rubber
parts, worn or frayed belts, or other damaged compo-

nents. Make note of any damaged components and

eplace before storage.

r

6. Use a damp cloth or sponge saturated with
onfidence Plus or equivalent cleaning solution to

C
wipe the breathing tube and motor-blower clean.

7. Carefully clean the breathing tube connection and car-

tridge ports to remove deposits that could prevent an
airtight seal.

DO NOT submerge the blower assembly. If accidental
submersion occurs, the blower assembly must be
allowed to air dry thoroughly and then tested with the
Airflow Indicator to verify that the motor was not dam­aged. Failure to follow this warning can result in seri­ous personal injury or death.

8. Thoroughly wash and rinse the support belt in the

Confidence Plus or equivalent cleaning solution. A soft
brush or sponge may be used.

9. Re-assemble the respirator so that it will be ready for

use.

INSPECTION

1. Examine all hardware to ensure proper condition of

threads, couplings, and adapters.

2. Examine all gaskets and seals and ensure that they

are present and in good condition.

3. Examine the blower assembly and breathing tube

assembly for damage or cracks. Ensure that there are
no loose objects rattling inside the blower assembly.

4. Correct any deficiencies immediately or tag the respi-

rator as in need of repair and remove it from service.

5. Ensure that the unit is working properly before stor-

age.

17

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 - 10072074

NOTES

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 - 10072074

18

STORAGE

STORAGE

• Ensure that the unit is working properly before
storage by temporarily installing a battery and
check the airflow as instructed in the Before Use
section. Remove the battery after testing.
DO NOT store the unit with the battery installed.

•
Always remove the battery from the blower assem­bly for storage. Store the battery and the blower
assembly away from sunlight, heat, or moisture.

Storing the Respirator

• Install the green seal plugs over the outlet and into the
cartridge mounting ports of the blower assembly.

• Install the green seal
plugs over the outlet
and into the blower inlet
of the breathing tube
assembly.

• Store only undamaged respirators and breathing tubes
or further use. When not in use, store the respirator in

f
cool, dry, and clean ambient air.

Storage for CBRN Application Only

Cartridges must be stored in ONE of the configurations
listed:

• Cartridges must be stored in original, unopened foil

ag and in the extended clamshell (P/N 10046578), or

b

• Cartridges must be stored in original, unopened foil

bag and in the original, unopened carton.

The facepiece must be stored in an extended clamshell
(P/N 10046578). The clamshell is provided as a conve­nient storage container to protect the facepiece and one
cartridge. Replace the clamshell if it becomes damaged.

Storing the batteries

• Store the batteries in normal conditions (room temper-

ature/50% relative humidity/away from direct sunlight).

• The LI-SO2 battery is designed for extended shelf life

when properly stored. The LI-SO2 battery is not
rechargeable.

• The NiMH battery is rechargeable. Follow the instruc-

tions on the battery label or refer to the Charging the
C420 Rechargeable Battery section of this manual.

• Keep this user’s instruction manual with the complete

respirator.

19

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 - 10072074

NOTES

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 - 10072074

20

CHARGING THE C420 RECHARGEABLE BATTERY

CHARGING THE C420 RECHARGEABLE BATTERY

Note: Before initial battery pack use, or if battery pack

as not been used for an extended period of time (several

h
months), perform (3) 6-hour charge/4-hour discharge
cycles for optimum battery performance. The discharge
cycles should be completed with the blower running in a
non-hazardous environment, with no breathing tube or

artridges attached to the blower.

c

1. Place the charger horizontally on a flat surface and in
a dust-free area with a temperature range between
32°F and 100°F (0°C and 37.7°C). The ideal tempera­ture is 70°F (21.1°C).

2. Insert the appropriate cord set (120v or 230v) into the
IEC receptacle on the charger. Plug the charger AC
power cord into the appropriate regulated 120v or
230v outlet. The “ORANGE” LED will illuminate when
no battery is plugged in or during battery charging ini­tialization.

3. Align the keyed charger plug with the charging recep­tacle in the battery pack and fully insert. The “RED”
LED will illuminate, indicating that the connected bat­tery pack is being charged in the “Fast Charge Rate”
mode.

Note: In a discharged condition (approximately 4 hours of
operational use), the battery pack will charge for approxi­mately 6 hours. Charging times will vary for battery packs
in a partial charge state.

4. When the “GREEN/ORANGE” LEDs illuminate, the
harger has switched to a “Top-Off Charge” mode,

c
indicating the battery is nearly fully charged.

. The “GREEN” LED indicates the battery is fully

5

charged and is in the “Trickle Charge” mode. The opti­mum charging time is 8 hours. Battery packs can be
left in a “Trickle Charge” mode indefinitely.

New batteries, and batteries not used for months,
could experience a false indication that can cause the
“GREEN” LED indicator to illuminate only a few min­utes into the charging cycle. Unplug and then re-plug
to continue the charging cycle.

6. If the “Red/Green” LEDs illuminate, there is a fault

condition. Remove the battery immediately. If the
LED’s illuminate with another battery connected,
remove the charger from service.

7. To remove the charging plug from the battery pack,

firmly grasp the charging plug housing with the fingers
and pull out.

DO NOT remove by pulling the charging plug cord.
This can damage/separate the wire connections to the
charging plug housing.

Rapid Charger LED Illumination Sequence

• The positive and negative battery terminals of the
battery pack are on the opposite end from the
charging receptacle. DO NOT ground out the posi­tive terminal (center metal circle) and the negative
terminal (outer metal ring). Doing so could short
circuit the battery pack, resulting in excessive cur­rent flow and could cause battery liquid electrolyte
leakage, heat generation, bursting and fire.

• Use extreme caution not to ground out the metal
charging leads on the battery charger plug, as
doing so could result in damage to the battery
charger.

Failure to follow the above warning can result in seri­ous personal injury or death.

LED Illumination Charging Status w/AC Power

Cord plugged in

Orange No battery attached or charging

cycle is initializing
Red Fast charge
Green/Orange Top-off charge, battery is almost

fully charged
Green Battery fully charged and ready to

use
Red/Green Fault condition - remove battery

from charge

DO NOT allow the battery pack to fully discharge. The
functional system operational time for the battery
pack is approx. 4 hours. Operating the system in
excess of 4 hours results in significantly reduced air­flow.

21

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 - 10072074

NOTES

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 - 10072074

22

CARTRIDGE AND BATTERY DISPOSAL

CARTRIDGE DISPOSAL

Remove the used cartridges and dispose of them

roperly.

p

Dispose of the cartridges in accordance with federal,
state, and local regulations.

Handle the cartridges with care. Cartridges may con­tain the contaminant that was in the atmosphere while
the cartridges were being used and must be handled
as a contaminated or potentially contaminated object.

BATTERY DISPOSAL

DO NOT dispose of the battery in fire. It may explode.
Failure to follow this warning can result in serious per­sonal injury or death.

Note: Remove the LI-SO2 battery and discharge it

according to the following instructions. Discharge instruc­tions are also printed on the battery.

Discharging and Disposing of the LI-SO2 Battery

. Remove the warning label from the side of the battery

1

next to the contact end. Attached to the label is a pull

ab. The pull tab must be removed with the label.

t

2. Store the battery with the label removed for five (5)
days to completely discharge.

3. Dispose and/or recycle batteries in accordance with
federal, state, and local regulations.

DO NOT attempt to the charge the LI-SO2 battery. The
battery may ignite resulting in serious personal injury
or death.

Disposing of the NiMH Battery

Note: NiMH cells contained in the MSA NiMH battery

pack are classified by the federal government as a non­hazardous waste and are safe for disposal as municipal
waste.

1. Apply a piece of non-conductive insulating tape
across the contact and charging pins ends and dis­pose the battery pack.

2. NiMH cells contained in the MSA battery pack contain
recyclable materials. Dispose of or recycle batteries in
accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local
regulations.

23

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 - 10072074

NOTES

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 - 10072074

24

RECERTIFICATION

RECERTIFICATION

MSA recommends the C420 PAPR be recertified by MSA

very three years. A re-certification consists of blower

e
assembly inspection, main seal and filter gasket replace­ment, and a system performance verification check.

WARRANTY

Mine Safety Appliances Company

General Express Warranty and Terms of Sale

1. Express Warranty - MSA warrants that the product

furnished under this order is free from mechanical
defects or faulty workmanship for a period of one (1)
year from date of shipment, provided it is maintained
and used in accordance with MSA’s instructions
and/or recommendations. This warranty does not
apply to expendable or consumable parts whose nor­mal life expectancy is less than one (1) year such as,
but not limited to, non-rechargeable batteries, and
cartridges. Replacement parts and repairs are war­ranted for ninety (90) days from the date of repair of
the product or sale of the replacement part, whichever
occurs first. MSA shall be released from all obliga­tions under this warranty in the event repairs or modi­fications are made by persons other than its own or
authorized service personnel or if the warranty claim
results from misuse of the product. No agent,
employee or representative of MSA may bind MSA to
any affirmation, representation or modification of the
warranty concerning the goods sold under this con­tract. THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER
WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY,
AND IS STRICTLY LIMITED TO THE TERMS HEREOF:
MSA SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY OF

MERCHANTABILITY OR OF FITNESS FOR A PARTIC­ULAR PURPOSE.

2. Exclusive Remedy - It is expressly agreed that the
Purchaser’s sole and exclusive remedy for breach of
the above warranty, for any tortious conduct of MSA,
or for any other cause of action, shall be the repair
and/or replacement, at MSA’s option, of any equip­ment or parts thereof, that after examination by MSA
are proven to be defective. Replacement equipment
and/or parts will be provided at no cost to the pur­chaser, F.O.B. MSA’s plant. Failure of MSA to suc­cessfully repair any non-conforming product shall not
cause the remedy established hereby to fail of its
essential purpose.

3 Exclusion of Consequential Damages - Purchaser

specifically understands and agrees that under no cir­cumstances will MSA be liable to Purchaser for eco­nomic, special, incidental or consequential damages
or losses of any kind whatsoever, including but not
limited to, loss of anticipated profits and any other
loss caused by reason of the nonoperation of the
goods. This exclusion is applicable to claims for
breach of warranty, tortious conduct or any other
cause of action against MSA.

25

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 - 10072074

NOTES

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 - 10072074

26

NOTES

27

TAL 706 (L) Rev. 2 - 10072074