The Avon C50 protective mask is based on the U.S. M50/JSGPM (Joint Services General Purpose Mask) and shares key technologies. The mask uses standard Stanag 4155 DIN 40mm threaded filter cartridges . The respirator is marketed at Battlefield CBRN protection, first responders, correctional officers, specialist law enforcement & counter terrorism operations. The mask gained CE approval on the 24th October 2011[1]
Users[]
The mask quickly saw adoption by police forces around America and Europe, with many British police forces including the MOD adopting it from around 2005/06 to replace their older Avon FM12.
The C50 was selected for use by the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) personnel, with training completed in October 2010.[2]
The C50 has been adopted with Malaysian Police. [3] and inital order of 530 C50s with VPUs and filters, had been purchased for riot control and to replace their current generation of mask. In addition, the force has also taken delivery of Avon-Camelbak hydration systems. It is also issued to the Malaysian military CBRN unit, Peperangan Nuklear, Biologi dan Kimia 3 Divisyen (English: Chemical, Biological and Nuclear Warfare Division 3; PNBK 3D)
A personnel from Unit Peperangan Nuklear, Biologi dan Kimia 3 Divisyen (PNDK 3D) [Malaysian Military CBRN unit]
The mask has also been adopted within the Middle East including purchase by the Royal Oman Police force for crowd and riot control[4]
Kit[]
The C50 is issued in a black rectangular storage bag with a zipped lid. Contents include the C50 facepiece fitted to a universal sized faceformer sealed in a clear plastic bag, a manual, proprietary filter plug key and filter.
Overview[]
Facepiece[]
The facepiece is made of chlorobutyl rubber-silicone blend, the chlorobutyl content of the rubber formulation is advertised to restrict permeability to chemical agents. The facepiece has a embossed letter L,M or S on the facepiece just above the left eye indicating size as large, medium or small. Nasal cups are similarly sized large, medium and small, and can be up or down sized by one size and is designed to fit 98% of the user population. The facepiece is provided with a reflex facial seal incorporating a chin cup with integrated moisture drainage. Low profile harness buckles, extended chip flap and a low profile brow ensure compatibility with protective helmets and CBRN protective clothing. The panoramic polyurethane visor is triple bonded, flexible, plus scratch and impact resistant.. The mask is issued with a universal sized plastic face form which is designed to help the facepiece maintains its shape.[5]
Head harness[]
The head harness is 6 point with low profile brow pads with Velcro which eliminate pressure points. Once adjusted to wearer, only the bottom two straps need adjusted during donning. The cradle is a Lycra material for comfort and can be machine washable up to 10 times.
Exhale Cover[]
A front mounted exhale valve allows for clear and direct communication. The cover can be easily removed to allow inspection and valve replacement. For enhanced communications, an optional Voice Projection Unit (VPU)[6] can be clipped over the exhale cover and plugged into the the front electronic communication port (ECP). A 3 pin internal microphone needs to be installed and is used in conjunction with the VPU. The VPU is powered by 2 AAA batteries and is turned on and off with a toggle switch on the left hand side of the housing.[5]
Additional external communication systems can be attached via this ECP such as cables provided by Atlantic Signal, however as there is only one ECP, only the comms cable or the VPU can be used at one time. It is also noted that the drinking straw needs to be unwrapped from around the exhale cover or alternatively the VPU would need to be disconnected first.
Filters[]
The mask is designed to use 40mm NATO filters, however for NIOSH approval Avon supplies the following filters for use with the C50:
- CFP100 (P/N 605915-01/02) NIOSH Approved P100 All particulate hazards including dust, fume, bacteria and virus.
- CSCF50 (P/N 72601/71/4) Riot Control All particulate hazards including dust, fume, bacteria and virus, plus riot agent CS (meets 8 hour NIOSH test standards) and CN (<1 hour NIOSH test standards).
- CTCF50 (P/N 72606/3) Riot Control Removal of aerosols, particulate matter, smoke, fumes and vapours. Specifically designed for removal of tear gases including CS, CN and OC pepper spray.
- MILCF50 (P/N 72604/3) NATO CBRN CBRN filter canister designed to meet the relevant criteria specified in the NIOSH CBRN APR standard at the 15-minute classification level (CAP 1). The EUROPEAN STANDARD, EN 14387 (A2B2E2K1 P3), and chemical and biological warfare agents in aerosols, liquid and vapour form.
- CBRNCF50 (P/N 72601/2) NIOSH Approved CBRN CAP 1 Dual classification for industrial and CBRN applications. All particulate hazards including dust, mist, fume, bacteria and virus plus all NIOSH specified CBRN gases and vapors including nerve, blood, choking and blister agents and toxic industrial materials. CBRNCF50 CE 604009 CE Approved EN14387:04 A1 B2 E1 K1 P3 Dual classification for industrial and CBRN applications. All particulate hazards including dust, mist, fume, bacteria and virus plus all vapours including nerve, blood, choking and blister agents and toxic industrial materials[5]
Carrier[]
The C50 is usually paired with either Avons Universal Carrier [7]or Series 50 carrier. The universal carrier is available in 4 colours, black (P/N 70021/33/1), green (P/N 70021/33/2), DPM (P/N 70021/33/3) & US Desert Digi Cam (P/N 70021/33/4). The Universal Carrier is manufactured from polyester with a polyurethane lining for water resistance and includes a shoulder strap.
Accessories[]
Vision correction assembly (P/N 70501/155) allows for prescription lenses to be fitted compatible with all masks within the 50 series[8]. For twin filter variants a proprietary key is provided to remove the the filter plug.
Flexible polycarbonate outserts are available that easily attaches to the 50 series Provide additional eye protection Protect mask visor from wear, abrasions, scratches and also give Improved ballistics resistance. Users can fit and remove the outsert quickly while wearing mask. The outserts are provided within a soft cloth pouch for storage and lens cleaning. The left hand leg of outsert is stamped with a date roundel. The following outserts are available:
- CLEAR (P/N 70501-156) Clear outsert is for improved ballistic resistance and prevention of wear to primary polyurethane visor.
- BLUEBLOCKER (P/N 70501-158) BlueBlocker outsert is for specialist use to improve weapon sighting by filtering out blue light wavelengths to deliver a sharper image. This outsert is ideal for snipers.
- SUNLIGHT (P/N 70501-157) Sunlight outsert is for protection against high level UV light and flash flare. The outsert hides the wearers eyes to provide a psychological advantage in a threat scenario.
- MIRRORED (P/N 71014-14) Mirrored outsert is for protection of UV light and improve contrast and depth perception. In addition, they hide the wearers eyes while reflecting the surroundings to provide psychological advantage in a threat situation.
- BREACH (P/N 70501-688) Shade 5 Breach outsert provides eye protection for specialist operators while deploying a cutting torch.
- LASER (P/N 72601-29) Laser outsert is for the removal of harmful laser wavelengths commonly produced by laser sighted weapons.
Drinking System[]
The Drinking system uses the regular Avon style drinking port and canteen cap, the same type that can be found on all Avon systems since the introduction of the S10. The drinking tube itself is longer than other types and it's operated via a small leaver mounted to the front of the mask connected to the shut-off valve, which is activated when the leaver is turned up and deactivated (allowing use of the drinking system) when turned down. The drinking system is pressure fitted to the mask. The lever is attached to a tube that ends in a spigot where the inner drinking straw is attached to, when not in use this straw is moved to the side. The straw is the same as used in the older FM12. Generally two types of canteen are used the older Osprey type 58 canteen with a rounder profile, and the more rectangular Dutch canteen. As with the older FM12 masks the C50 can be used in conjunction with the Police hydration vests with chemically hardened CBRN Camelbak reservoir. Using the mask with the Camelbak reservoir a type 'A' adapter is needed.
Variants[]
- The C50 is available as a single port with either a left or right filter attachment, or as a twin port configuration.
| Description | Part Number |
|---|---|
| C50 FACEPIECE SMALL TWIN PORT WITH COMMS | 70501-140 |
| C50 FACEPIECE MEDIUM TWIN PORT WITH COMMS | 70501-141 |
| C50 NIOSH Mask Assembly Twinport LGE | 70501/187 |
| C50 NIOSH Mask Assembly Twinport MED | 70501/188 |
| C50 NIOSH Mask Assembly Twinport SML | 70501/189 |
| C50 CE Mask Assembly Singleport LGE RH | 70501/193 |
| C50 CE Mask Assembly Singleport MED RH | 70501/194 |
| C50 CE Mask Assembly Singleport SML RH | 70501/195 |
| C50 CE Mask Assembly Singleport LGE LH | 70501/199 |
| C50 CE Mask Assembly Singleport MED LH | 70501/200 |
| C50 CE Mask Assembly Singleport SML LH | 70501/200 |
| C50 CE Mask Assembly Twinport LGE | 70501/562 |
| C50 CE Mask Assembly Twinport MED | 70501/563 |
| C50 CE Mask Assembly Twinport SML | 70501/564 |
- Part numbers can be observed on the front of the right filter port.
- Other variations of the C50 are the military versions JSGPM M50 or M51 or the Foreign Military version FM50 or FM51.
- PC50 [9]specifically developed for the targeted user groups of; budget challenged Prisons, Correctional Officers, Riot Control, Border Patrol, Plant Security and other NON-CBRN requirements that demand a robust, field proven competitively priced military pedigree product that meets their operational needs.
- HMK150 [10]is based on the 50 series mask platform, teamed with Schuberth to provide flawless integration of the HM50 mask with the P100N helmet. For use in the harshest environments and CE marked for CBRN protection, the HMK150 has been specifically designed for CBRN and Riot Control.
Gallery[]
Videos[]
- ↑ https://www.militarysystems-tech.com/articles/199?page=1
- ↑ https://www.militarysystems-tech.com/articles/avon-protection-completes-first-training-programme-saudi-national-guard
- ↑ https://www.militarysystems-tech.com/articles/avon-c50-configurable-cbrn-mask-wins-malayan-police-contract
- ↑ https://www.adsadvance.co.uk/royal-oman-police-choose-avon-for-protection.html
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 https://www.avon-protection.com/downloads/GR13188-08%20C50%20Brochure.pdf
- ↑ https://www.avon-protection.com/downloads/accessories_datasheets/VPUforC50%20_%20FM50Datasheet.pdf
- ↑ https://www.avon-protection.com/downloads/accessories_datasheets/UniversalMaskCarrierDatasheet.pdf
- ↑ https://www.avon-protection.com/downloads/accessories_datasheets/VisionCorrectionAssemblyDatasheet.pdf
- ↑ https://www.avon-protection.com/downloads/product_brochures/Avon-Protection-Product-Brochure_PC50-Respirator_EN.pdf
- ↑ https://www.avon-protection.com/downloads/product_brochures/Avon-Protection-Product-Brochure_HMK150-Respirator_EN.pdf