The Fernando & de Souza powered air-purifying respirator (FDSPAPR) is an open-source DIY project built around a blower fan, HEPA filter and face covering. Make: estimated a $30–$85 build, but also stated that it had not been tested for respiratory protection against airborne pathogens. Treat it as an experimental maker project—not certified respiratory PPE for construction, hazardous dust or other work requiring proven protection.
What the FDSPAPR project offers
Developed by Dr. Shiranth Fernando and Nathan de Souza and presented by Open Source Medical Supplies, the FDSPAPR is a compact, fan-powered design intended to move filtered air toward a face covering. Make: described possible hobbyist settings such as yard work during pollen season and cleaning a dusty shop. Those examples are not proof that the device protects a wearer in those environments.
For construction work, that distinction matters: a fan, filter and face covering do not by themselves establish a respirator’s protective performance. Make: explicitly reported that the FDSPAPR had not been tested for respiratory protection against airborne pathogens. Its article is dated December 16, 2024; it does not establish later certification or testing.
What Make: reported—and what it does not prove
Make: reported that the design team tested filtration using HEPA 13 filters, with 99.95% particle removal, and measured airflow up to 300 liters per minute. It also described airflow-velocity measurements and basic fogging and water-resistance tests. These are the article’s accounts of specific design testing, not a guarantee for every assembled unit, filter, fit or operating condition.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
- KIT INCLUDES: Respiratory hard hat assembly, PAPR unit, battery and charger, belt, particulate filter, filter cover, spark arrestor, pre-filter, breathing tube, and airflow indicator
- RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: When used in accordance with its NIOSH approval and user instructions, TR-300N-plus provides protection against particulates Not intended for vapors or gases and not an intrinsically safe system
- EASY TO USE: Simple, one-button operation (2 types of alarms - 1 audible and 1 LED); breathing tubes featuring 3M Quick Release Swivel (QRS) connection; and pre-calibrated PAPR
- STAY COOL: Uses a blower instead of lung power to draw air through the filter This lets you breathe more naturally and stay comfortable in hot, humid conditions
- COMFORTABLE DESIGN: Hard hat is lightweight and well-balanced Includes 6-point textile straps, premium visor made of coated polycarbonate, and premium faceseal made of flame-resistant polyester
Those results should not be confused with validated respiratory protection. The article states that protection against airborne pathogens had not been tested. A particle-removal figure for a filter does not establish how much protection a person receives through a completed device, including its face interface and airflow under use. The source discusses NIOSH PAPR100-N and PAPR100-P classifications as regulatory context; it does not say the FDSPAPR is NIOSH-approved or meets either classification.
The article says that the filter can help protect hobbyists from dust, pollen and other large particulate matter, but that is not a substitute for a certified respirator where workplace rules, a hazard assessment or the task requires one. It identifies VOC filtration and ISO PAPR 100-N testing as future research avenues, not completed capabilities or approvals. HEPA filtration alone should not be taken to mean the device removes gases or VOCs.
Rank #2
- KIT INCLUDES: Respiratory hard hat assembly, PAPR unit, battery and charger, breathing tube, high efficiency particulate and organic vapor/acid gas cartridge, airflow indicator, belt, 2 prefilters, and 2 spark arrestors
- EASY TO USE: User-friendly design with intuitive, colored interactive touch points; breathing tubes featuring 3M Quick Release Swivel (QRS) connection; pre-calibrated PAPR and tool-free maintenance
- PROTECTION: Combo cartridge for certain particulates and organic vapors or acid gases found in construction, mold remediation, industrial segments, metal working, grinding, and demolition
- COMFORTABLE AND ROBUST: PAPR offers multiple airflow rate options; ergonomic design to fit close to the body; and adjustable, high durability belt with flexible air channels
- RUGGED FACE SHIELD: Rugged, durable face shield with premium coated polycarbonate visor helps protect against sparks and debris
Parts and tools in the published build
Make: lists these materials and electronics for the project. The list describes the published design; verify dimensions, electrical specifications and compatibility against its project files before sourcing parts.
- H13 HEPA filter
- DuPont Tyvek 1443R fabric, 50 cm × 80 cm; non-woven polypropylene fabric, 10 cm × 10 cm; a Level 3 surgical face mask; and a face-shield visor with lightweight foam band
- 40 × 20 mm, 5 VDC blower fan; PWM DC motor speed controller; and 9 V step-up regulator (Pololu U3V16F9, 4944)
- Green and red 5 mm, 3 V LEDs; 16 V, 2200 μF electrolytic capacitor; 5 VDC SPDT mini relay; 1N4007 diode; 62 Ω resistor; and piezo buzzer
- 5 V, 10,000 mAh USB power bank and USB-A plug; wires and heat-shrink tubing
- ABS or PETG filament, thread, cord lock, elastic and fastening supplies
The listed tools are a 3D printer, sewing machine, soldering iron and hot-glue gun. Make: gives a Creality Ender 3 V2 Neo as its example printer, with a 220 × 220 × 250 mm print volume.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Rank #3
- KIT INCLUDES: Disposable hood, PAPR unit, high capacity battery and charger, easy clean belt, high efficiency filter, spark arrestor, pre-filter, length adjusting breathing tube and cover, and airflow indicator
- QUICK AND EASILY CLEANED: Maintenance free disposable hood with integrated suspension and TR-302N+ PAPR unit with smooth surface Blower and battery pack (still attached) may be wiped with a soft cloth dampened in a solution of water and mild, pH neutral detergent
- RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: When used in accordance with its NIOSH approval and user instructions, TR-300N+ provides protection against particulates Not intended for vapors or gases and not an intrinsically safe system
- EASY TO USE: Simple, one-button operation (2 types of alarms – 1 audible and 1 LED); breathing tubes featuring 3M Quick Release Swivel (QRS) connection; and pre-calibrated PAPR
- DISPOSABLE HOOD: Features head, face, neck and shoulder coverage with integrated suspension; a visor with wide field of view; and face seals with soft elastic for improved comfort
Build time, cost and reported design figures
Make: estimated the project at $30–$85, with 2–3 hours of assembly plus 14 hours of printing. It said intermediate 3D-printing, sewing and soldering skills are needed. These are the article’s estimates, not a current parts audit or an independently verified build time; the final cost depends on sourcing and what tools or materials are already available.
The same article gives a stated FDSPAPR weight of 220 g and fan noise below 65 dBA, contrasting those figures with 1 kg or more and 80 dBA for commercial PAPRs. Treat these as Make:’s reported comparison, not specifications for all commercial models or a current independent measurement. The source does not establish that the lighter weight or lower noise comes with equivalent protection.
Rank #4
- KIT INCLUDES: Medium/Large headtop headcover, length-adjusting breathing tube and cover, TR-302N PAPR unit, easy clean belt, high capacity battery and charger, filter, prefilter, and airflow indicator
- EASY ACCESS TO EARS: Stethoscope use is easier with the unique shape of our S-Series head covers
- RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: When used in accordance with its NIOSH approval and user instructions, TR-300N+ provides protection against particulates. Not intended for vapors or gases and not an intrinsically safe system
- EASY TO USE: Simple, one-button operation (2 types of alarms – 1 audible and 1 LED); breathing tubes featuring 3M Quick Release Swivel (QRS) connection; and pre-calibrated PAPR
- EXPAND YOUR VIEW: See more with a wider field of vision, and patients can see their provider’s entire face, thanks to enhanced visor design
How to think about it on a construction site
Construction respiratory hazards vary by material and task. Do not select the FDSPAPR as a substitute for workplace respiratory protection on the basis of its component list, airflow figure or filtration result. Where respiratory protection is required, follow the applicable workplace hazard assessment and use equipment with the approvals and performance appropriate to the hazard.
The useful comparison is not simply DIY versus commercial. For any powered respirator, readers should establish validated protection and certification, filter compatibility, airflow in actual operating conditions, fit and coverage, runtime, cleanability, noise, weight and total cost. Make:’s article does not provide enough evidence to score the FDSPAPR against commercial models on validated protection.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesBest Value
- KIT INCLUDES: 3M Versaflo PAPR TR-602N,PAPR Headtop (S-433L),PAPR Filter (TR-6710N), Easy Clean Belt (TR-627), Standard Capacity Battery (TR-630N), Length Adjusting Breathing Tube (BT-30),PAPR Filter Cover (TR-6700FC), Single Station Battery Charger Kit (TR-642N), Prefilter (TR-6600), Breathing Tube Cover (BT-922), Air Flow Indicator (TR-971), Cleaning & Storage Kit (TR-653)
- QUICK AND EASILY CLEANED: Maintenance free disposable hood with integrated suspension and TR-602N PAPR unit with smooth surface design - important for environments where it is critical for the system to be easily cleaned (I. e. , Pharmaceutical, Food Safety, Painting, and Lead Battery Manufacturing Recycling)
- EASY TO USE: User-friendly design with intuitive, colored interactive touch points; breathing tubes featuring 3M Quick Release Swivel (QRS) connection; and pre-calibrated PAPR unit to make it ready to use, directly out of the box
- COMFORTABLE, ROBUST AND LIGHTWEIGHT: TR-600 Series PAPR offers multiple airflow rate options, an ergonomic design to fit close to the body, and a belt with flexible air channels to minimize heat build-up
- DISPOSABLE HOOD: Features head, face, neck and shoulder coverage with integrated suspension; a visor with wide field of view and reduced curvature for decreased reflections and glare; and wide face seals with soft elastic for improved comfort and reduced air flow noise
Where to find parts and project information
Make:’s bill of materials names an H13 HEPA filter, a 5 VDC 40 × 20 mm blower fan and a 5 V, 10,000 mAh USB power bank. These descriptions can help identify the intended component types, but a generic product listing is not necessarily compatible or equivalent to the parts used in testing. Check the project files for fit and electrical requirements before buying; sourcing components does not make the finished device certified respiratory equipment.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
