The In-line Bacterial Viral Filter is an additional protection to help allergy sufferers, people with recurrent infections or lung diseases and protection from air-borne viruses.  They have a bacterial and viral efficiency of 99.999+%.  The filter is designed to prevent any germs, irritants, mould or dust that may have got through the machine's filters, from entering the mask to provide the cleanest air possible.  These filters are also suitable for hospital use with mechanical ventilators, anaesthesia machines, manual resuscitation devices and IPPB machines.

These disposable filters are compatible with almost all machines, and the recommended length of use under normal circumstances is 30 days, but it is easy to see when they need replacing through the clear filter cover, as dirt will cause the filter to change from white to grey or black, and it is important to change them when this happens!  Some people will 'feel' when to replace them if their symptoms reappear (such as allergies, nasal congestion, wheeziness etc).  However, when used in hospitals the filters should be changed at least every 24 hours.

The filters supplied are by AG Industries or Philips Respironics, which are the same product, and we will send whichever we have available at the time, as these filters are in high demand.

A single Filter can be purchased, or you can buy a Pack of 5 or 10 which is more cost-effective and also makes it easier to identify with a new one when to change the one in use, by comparing the difference in colour.

The In-line Bacterial Viral Filter cannot be placed between the machine and the hose/tubing connection on machines which come with heated hoses, such as the Resmed's Climate Line Heated Tubing with the S9 and Airsense machines, Fisher & Paykel's Thermostat Heated Hose or the Respironics' 60-series and DreamStation Heated Tubes.   In this case, the In-line Bacteria Filter could be placed between the hose and the mask, but bear in mind this will add weight at that connection.  However, the Bacteria Filter CAN be used with the Hybernite Heated Hose.

An additional Elbow Swivel Adapter or similar will be needed for use with the Devilbiss Sleep Cube (Intellipap) Machine if  using a humidifier too, and this will be needed with any other machine if the connection is not secure.

IMPORTANT

• If using the filters with an APAP machine with automatic pressures which average out lower than 7 cm, please do not purchase these as they 'may' affect the airflow.
   
• There are disposable filters and should not be washed and re-used.
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• These filters can be used safely with humidifiers, but if the filter gets accidentally wet it is important to allow the filter to dry before use.
   
• Do not allow the filter to get too dirty before replacing with a new one, as this could affect the airflow.
   
• These filters are latex-free, but may contain phthalates so children and those pregnant or breast feeding should seek medical advice before use.

ORDERS

We try our best to ship all orders received by us Monday-Friday on the same working day if received before 12 noon, and more often than not orders processed before 3 pm will be despatched the same day whenever possible.  Weekend or UK bank holiday orders are sent out the next working day.  An automated email is sent when products have been despatched so please check your spam box and add us to your safe senders list.  Also, if you do not receive an email confirmation, please check that you have typed the correct email address in your account.

All orders are sent via 1st class mail within the UK.  Masks and some other more expensive products are always sent via 'signed for' insured delivery and cannot be left in 'safe' places, but there is the option for an alternative shipping address when processing the orders.   International orders are sent via tracked Airmail, and whilst we're happy to ship internationally, we cannot be held responsible for any charges that may be added in your own country.

Delivery charges are worked out automatically by weight and you can clearly see the delivery charges before purchase.  On the rare occasion delivery charges are miscalculated by the website, a refund will be sent, as it is not our policy to make money on postage charges and neither do we add the cost of delivery into the price and offer so-called  'free delivery' like some sites and Ebay pressurise sellers to do!

Wherever possible with larger parcels, we try to re-use boxes to keep shipping costs down and protect the environment.

If a product is out of stock and the order contains multiple items, the 'in stock' items will be sent immediately and further items will follow upon arrival with no further postage charges incurred.  

RETURNS

Masks, CPAP machines and and most other products are exempt from a refund or exchange unless faulty due to health and hygiene issues (as stated in our 'Terms and Conditions'), and in particular due to the risk of cross contamination as they cannot be re-sold. The Consumer Contracts Regulations 28.(3)(a) confirms exemption as follows:-  "exemption in the case of a contract for the supply of sealed goods which are not suitable for return due to health protection or hygiene reasons, if they become unsealed after delivery."

Unopened (sealed) products in their original packing can be returned within 14 days for a refund of the product cost, but the purchaser is to pay the return postage, and we would advise retaining proof of postage.  This excludes any faulty goods, for which postage will be reimbursed.  A full refund for the price of the product will be issued when received by us, less the original postage charges when the order was sent to you.

VAT DECLARATION/INFORMATION

Most of the products we sell are eligible for Zero Rated VAT in the UK and Europe, and in order to qualify, you should meet the criteria for the following HMRC VAT Declaration:-

1. You or the person you are purchasing on behalf of have "a condition which the medical profession treats as a chronic sickness," (sleep apnoea and sleep disordered breathing, which require therapy, are such conditions).
    
2. "The goods or services are for the personal or domestic use of the customer."

We cannot advise on individual cases, but more information can be found on HMRC’s website under notice 701/7 on the following link  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-notice-7017-vat-reliefs-for-disabled-people. 

If you are purchasing on behalf of someone else who meets the above criteria, you must provide their name and address, and you will be prompted of this during the checkout process.

Customers living outside of Europe do not pay UK VAT charges, so please leave the the 'zero rate eligibility' box ticked.  However, we cannot be held responsible for any additional costs incurred when the products reach your own country.

If you are purchasing with the intention of re-selling any products, you are liable to pay VAT on all products so you must untick the 'zero rate eligibility' box which will add VAT to your order.

Any products that our not eligible for zero rate VAT, will not display the VAT Declaration, and VAT will be added at checkout.