Abstract: A valve assembly (20) for a respirator comprises a valve body (25) having a valve outlet portion and a valve inlet portion which together define a valve cavity (30) for a valve mechanism (24) permitting gas flow from the valve inlet portion to the valve portion member, an air purge means comprising a purge inlet, connectable to an air pressure supply means, an air purge outlet (27) and an air deflection means (28) in which the deflection means is spatially arranged relative to the valve mechanism and purge outlet so that, in use, air exiting the purge outlet and incident the air deflection means provides a curtain of air over the valve mechanism.

Abstract: A respirator comprising a respirator facepiece (1), a first sealing means (7) suitable for forming a seal on the face of a user so as to define a first cavity between the first sealing means, the respirator facepiece and an area of the use's face comprising ine eyes, mouth and nose, a second sealing means (6) suitable for forming a seal on the face of the user so as to define a second cavity, the second cavity being formed between the second sealing means (6), the first sealing means, a portion of the face of the user and optionally the respirator facepiece (1), a respirator air inlet (4) for conducting inhaling air to the first cavity, a respirator air outlet (3) for conducting exhaled air from the first cavity, and an air pressure supply means suitable for supplying pressurised air to the second cavity whereby in normal operation air is inhaled and exhaled solely through the first cavity and so substantially no air pressure differential exists between the ambient atmosphere and the second cavity which will