Social:FM12 NBC Respirator
Template:Infobox military gear
The FM12 CBRN Respirator is a military gas mask produced by Avon Rubber and in service with the British Armed Forces and various police forces.
History
The FM12 was introduced in 2000 as an intended replacement for the standard issue S10 NBC Respirator[1] in service from the 1980s. However, the FM12 was never widely adopted by the military as it was deemed too similar to the S10 to warrant total replacement of all existing S10s.
It was used, however, when an individual found that the S10 did not fit his face.
Characteristics
Two filter canisters are issued for the FM12, as with the S10; a light pressed metal type for riot control situations or training (marked with a painted red stripe or red tape), and a heavier plastic-encased type for protection against CBRN agents. The latter have a maximum shelf-life of 10 years, and the mask itself (the facepiece) of 20 years. The mask was designed around the S10, but has several design differences. The characteristics it shares in common with the S10 are the fail-safe drinking device, an SST (Secondary Speech Transmitter), and the ability to accept corrective lenses on the inside of the eyepiece.
However, the voice emitter and exhale valve cover is smaller than that of the S10, as are the lenses. The FM12 has an overall lower profile than the S10 and sits closer to the wearer's face. The FM12's drinking tube is also longer than that of the S10, making drinking easier while wearing the mask. The FM12 also has an inner mask to prevent fogging of the lenses. The 'ridge' present around the edge of the S10 is absent from the FM12.
The main noticeable difference between the FM12 and the S10 is the ability of some FM12's to mount two filters to the mask simultaneously, as was done by the SBS in the Gulf War. When only one filter is fitted to a mask that has the ability to accept two, a blanking plug must be used.
The harness of the FM12 consists of elastic strips, which connect to a mesh fabric piece on the back of the wearer's head. This change from the rubber straps of the S10 was designed to enable the mask to be worn for longer periods of time without discomfort, and also to hold the mask tighter to the face for a better seal.
Variants
CT12
Respirator used for counter-terrorism operations. The difference between the FM12 and the CT12 is that the CT12 has had the drinking straw removed and sealed at the factory. This is to reduce the overall weight of the respirator, as the straw is not needed in a counter-terrorist situation. This variant is considerably rarer than the FM12.
Users
Singapore: Singapore Police Force[2]
United Kingdom: Used by most British police forces[2]
United States: Los Angeles Police Department[2]
Belgium: Used in the Belgian Army[2]
The Netherlands: Used in the Dutch Army[2]
Denmark: Used in the Danish Army[3]
Norway: Used in the Norwegian Army[3]
References
- ↑ "Avon FM12". Archived from the original on 2012-09-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20120904195427/http://gasmasksukreferences.webs.com/britain.htm. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 https://www.vastacademy.com.au/vast-special-products/5-vast-special-products/product-categories/83-respirators
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://www.avon-protection.com/downloads/product_brochures/FM12.pdf
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