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OHD Respirator Fit Testing
Breathe Easy
A Comprehensive Guide to Respirator Fit Testing
- Stephanie Lynch, PhD, CIH, CSP Luke Allen
- Hunter Strickler
- October 2024
What is a Respirator Fit Test?
Why Fit Test?
- Protect the health of employees
- Ensure employees are trained on their mask and their risk
- Provide employees peace of mind
- Required by:
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134
- ANSI Z88.10 – 2010
- ISO 16975-2017
- HSE INDG479
- INRS ED 6273
- AS/NZS 1715
Who Can Fit Test?
- Competent Individual?
- Qualified Individual?
- Program Administrator?
- Anyone?
Accreditation Schemes
How About a Repeat Test? When the wearer
- Loses or gains significant weight (+/- 20lbs or 9kg)
- Undergoes any substantial dental work
- Develops any facial changes (scars, moles, etc.) around the face seal area
- At the regulated time interval (typically annually)
Qualitative Fit Testing (QLFT)
- Relies on the wearer to detect leakage
- Pass/Fail Test
- Typically limited to half mask respirators
- Uses a machine to measure leakage
- Provides a fit factor
- Can be used on any respirator
Two Most Common Methods of QNFT
Controlled Negative Pressure
- Uses Controlled Negative Pressure technology directly related to a scientifically validated modelled breathing rate to measure respirator leakage.
- Respirator must be equipped with fit test adapters.
- The idea is that once a controlled pressure is achieved within the respirator facepiece, any air that is removed is the result of leakage.
- CNP precisely measures leak rate in cc/min after a series of exercises.
- The ratio of this leak rate to the modelled breathing rate is the Fit Factor.
How It Works
CNP
Benefits
- No Environmental Requirements
- Highly Portable
- Battery power
Limitations
Cannot fit test Filtering Facepiece Respirators
Condensation Nuclei Counting
- Uses laser technology to measure aerosol concentrations inside and outside the respirator.
- Respirator must be equipped with high efficiency filters.
- The idea is that because few particles penetrate a high efficiency filter, any found inside the respirator can be attributed to face seal leakage.
- Measures the concentration of particular particulates in the respirator while the test subject is performing a series of exercises.
- The ratio of this concentration in the breathing zone to the ambient particulate concentration is the Fit Factor.
N95/DMA Explanation
CNC/APC
Latest Advancements in Respirator Fit Testing
AeroFit Built in Zero Port
QuantiFit2 – Integrated Valve Prop Adapters
- Convenience: Eliminates the need to use and keep track of separate, small valve props
- Speed & Efficiency: Reduces setup time for fit testing
- Consistency: Ensures consistent, repeatable results in fit testing by standardizing the valve propping process
QuantiFit2 and AeroFit
- Can operate in stand-alone mode with virtually unlimited data storage or can operate through OHD Logic software.
- OHD Logic software can operate both the QuantiFit2 (CNP) and AeroFit (CNC) simultaneously out of one fit testing database.
One Software, Two Instruments
Software Innovations
Logic Cloud Data Flow
Training Innovations
Introducing: OHD Academy
- How to Use the QuantiFit2 course has received early 5-star reviews
- Designed for individual (not group) training for new Q2 operators
- OHD registers each participant in the platform
- Certificate is issued upon completion
Which instrument is right for you?
Breathe Easy
With the launch of AeroFit, OHD will be the only respirator fit testing manufacturer with both CNC and CNP technologies.
Q&A
Thank You for Attending!
Visit us with Air-Met at the AIOH Conference in December!
Documents / Resources
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OHD Respirator Fit Testing [pdf] User Guide Respirator Fit Testing, Respirator, Fit Testing, Testing |
