Standard Test Method for Respirator Fit Capability for Negative-Pressure Half-Facepiece Particulate Respirators

Importancia y uso:

5.1 In the U.S., when 42 Code of Federal Regulations Part 84 (42 CFR 84) was promulgated in 1995, the isoamyl acetate tightness test as described in 30 Code of Federal Regulations Part 11 for certain particulate-removing respirators was removed. These particulate-removing respirators were designed as protection against: (1) fumes of various metals having an air contamination level not less than 0.05 mg/m³, and (2) dusts, fumes, and mists having an air contamination level less than 0.05 mg/m³ or radionuclides. The isoamyl acetate test was removed because particulate respirators had to be modified before they could be tested and there were no other available fit tests suitable to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for approval testing at the time (1).4 There was a concern that the modified respirators may have had different fitting characteristics from the versions marketed. According to NIOSH, removing this requirement also allowed for further research on the effectiveness of certification fit testing methods (1).

5.2 NIOSH conducted benchmark testing of 101 respirator models on the market during 2008 and 2009, using a similar test to that described herein (2). The results were analyzed to develop key test parameters and pass/fail criteria options for a respirator fit capability test for half-facepiece air-purifying particulate respirators (3). According to NIOSH, approximately 30 % of the models tested did not have good fitting characteristics (2). This was also supported by published research (4, 5). This standard establishes a performance requirement called respirator fit capability to assess respirator face-sealing characteristics.

5.3 This standard can be used to evaluate all particulate-removing respirators on a population of wearers. A respirator model meeting the fit capability requirement will be capable of fitting the facial sizes and shapes for which it was designed. To achieve this goal, it is necessary for the method to reject poor-fitting respirators, while still passing well-fitting respirators meeting the pass/fail criteria established in this standard. It is thought that this standard will increase the likelihood that respirators meeting this requirement will fit a wide variety of their prospective wearers when properly fit tested, donned, and used.

Subcomité:

F23.65

Referida por:

F3502-24

Volúmen:

11.03

Número ICS:

13.340.30 (Respiratory protective devices)

Palabras clave:

half-facepiece; RFC test panel;