Quantitative fit test

Fit Factor (FF) The FF is the protection for a particular individual wearing a specific respirator. The FF must be measured using quantitative fit testing methods. 

Note Quantitative fit testing is required for all tight-fitting air-purifying respirators where airborne concentration of cadmium exceeds 10 times the TWA PEL (10X5 pg/m = 50 pg/m ). A full-facepiece respirator is required when eye irritation is expected. 

Fit test means the use of a protocol to qualitatively or quantitatively evaluate the fit of a respirator on an individual. (See also Qualitative fit test QLFT and Quantitative fit test QNFT.)... 

Quantitative fit test (QNFT) means an assessment of the adequacy of respirator fit by numerically measuring the amount of leakage into the respirator. 

The employer shall ensure that employees using a tight-fitting face-piece respirator pass an appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT) as stated in this paragraph. 

Fit testing. (i)The employer shall establish a record of the qualitative and quantitative fit tests administered to an employee including ... 

C. Quantitative Fit Test (QNFT) Protocols. Should quantitative fit testing of respirators be... 

The individual who uses a tight-fitting respiratoris to perform a user seal checkto ensure that an adequate seal is achieved each time the respirator is put on. Either the positive and negative pressure checks listed in this appendix, ortherespiratormanufacturefs recommended user seal checkmethod shall be used. User seal checks are not substitutes for qualitative or quantitative fit tests. 

Explain the difference between quantitative fit testing (QNFT) and a qualitative fit testing (QLFT) of a respirator. 

There are two types of fit tests qualitative fit tests (QLFT) and quantitative fit tests (QNFT). Both tests must be administered using an OSHA-accepted QLFT or QNFT protocol. The OSHA-accepted QLFT and QNFT protocols and procedmes are contained in Appendix A of 29 CFR 1910.134. 

Quantitative fit tests (QNFT).PPE — Respiratory Protection — Respirator Fit Testing... 

A qualitative fit test (QLFT) uses an agent that can be detected if there is a leak in the seal of the respirator mask. A quantitative fit test (QNFT) actually measures the ratio of the agent or contaminant outside the respirator mask and the amount that leaks into the mask through the seal on the face piece. The company must establish a record of the QLFT or QNFT administered to employees, including... 

Your employer must ensure that your respirator face-piece fits properly. Proper fit of a respirator facepiece is critical to your protection from airborne lead. Obtaining a proper fit on each employee may require your employer to make available several different types of respirator masks. To ensure that your respirator fits properly and that facepiece leakage is minimized, your employer must give you either a qualitative or quantitative fit test as specified in Appendix A of the respiratory protection standard located at 29 CFR 1910.134. 

Instrumentation. Aerosol generation, dilution, and measurement systems using particulates (corn oil, polyethylene glycol 400 [PEG 400], dl-2-ethyl hexyl sebacate [DEHS] or sodium chloride) as test aerosols shall be used for quantitative fit testing. 

Filters used for quantitative fit testing shall be replaced whenever increased breathing resistance is encountered, or when the test agent has altered the integrity of the filter media. 

Ambient aerosol condensation nuclei counter (CNC) quantitative fit testing protocol. 

The ambient aerosol condensation nuclei counter (CNC) quantitative fit testing (Portacount ) protocol quantitatively fit tests respirators with the use of a probe. 

The probed respirator is only used for quantitative fit tests. A probed respirator has a special sampling device, installed on the respirator, that allows the probe to sample the air from inside the mask. A probed respirator is required for each make, style, model, and size that the employer uses and can be obtained from the respirator manufacturer or distributor. The CNC instrument manufacturer. TSI Inc., also provides probe attachments (TSI sampling adapters) that permit fit testing in an employee s own respirator. A minimum fit factor pass level of at least 100 is necessary for a half-mask respirator and a minimum fit factor pass level of at least 500 is required for a full facepiece negative pressure respirator. The entire screening and testing procedure shall be explained to the test subject prior to the conduct of the screening test. 

Controlled Negative Pressure (CNP) Quantitative Fit Testing Protocol. 

TABLE A-1-CNP REDON QUANTITATIVE FIT TESTING PROTOCOL, CONTINUED... 

For greater concentrations, quantitative fit-testing (QNFT) must be used. When quantitative fit-testing is used, all full-facepiece respirators must meet or exceed a fit factor of 500, while quarter-and half- mask respirators must meet or exceed 100. 

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