Respirator Fit Testing - fit-testing-aunz-stage-v4-16-6.jpg — Respirator Fit Testing
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Protect your employees with Respirator Fit Testing

Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) does not always offer the wearer the level of protection assumed and one of the major reasons for this is that it simply doesn’t fit. Draeger is a RESP-FIT partner, we offer you peace of mind and compliance with Respirator Fit Testing options to help ensure your employees are protected with the correctly fitted mask. The AS/NZS 1715:2009 standard references Respirator Fit Testing as a requirement for a complete Respiratory Protective Program (RPP).

Why choose Dräger?

Trusted supplier of Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)

Expert knowledge

Consistent quality

Aligned with RESP-FIT

Your Respirator Fit Testing options

Quantitative Fit Testing

A Quantitative Fit Test delivers more objective results, which can be accurately measured by using a machine to either measure the number of particles in the mask interior compared to the ambient air or using a controlled negative pressure inside the facepiece to measure leakage.

Device Rental

Dräger has a range of Quantitative Fit Testing devices available for short and long term rentals. Avoid high investment costs and on-going maintenance requirements by utilising the Draeger rental service for your Fit Testing device.

Fit Testing Training

For those looking to conduct Fit Testing in house, we offer you a tailored Fit Testing course designed to provide you with the fundamentals of Respirator Fit Testing. This course is designed to allow attendees to have the necessary knowledge to undertake qualitative face fit testing using a PortaCount instrument.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

What is Respirator Fit Testing?

There are two Fit Testing methodologies we use at Draeger; Qualitative (QLFT) and Quantitative (QNFT) Fit Testing.

A Respirator Fit Test identifies if the chosen respirator is suitable for an individual’s facial characteristics. It provides wearers with a pass value which determines how well the respirator is sealing to the wearer’s face.

What types of Respirators are required to be Fit Tested?

As required by AS/NZS 1715 and ISO 16975-3, all types of tight-fitting respirators (negative and positive pressure) must be Fit Tested.

All disposable/Filtering Face Pieces (FFP), reusable half-face respirators, and reusable full-face respirators, including those attached to a Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) or supplied air sources such as an SCBA cylinder and compressed airline hose, are included.

Why do positive pressure tight-fitting Respirators require Fit Testing?

In general, the protection factor appointed to these positive pressure respirators is greater than that of a negative pressure equivalent style respirator. This greater appointed protection factor is in contingent on the wearer achieving an adequate seal in addition to positive pressure. To perform the Fit Tests, a positive pressure respirator would need to be used in negative pressure mode or a negative pressure respirator with an equivalent sealing surface would be used.

How long does a Fit Test take?

In general, using the modified (fast) OSHA 1910.134 Fit Test protocol a Fit Test takes at least 7.5 min-10.5 min per respirator.

What is the difference between a Fit Test and a user seal check (fit check)?

A Fit Test is an annual test that ensures a respirator is suitable to the wearer’s facial characteristics and ensures there is an adequate seal between the wearer’s face and the respirator being worn. A Fit Test should be conducted prior to the use of a tight-fitting respirator.

User Seal Check is the procedure conducted by the respirator wearer each time the respirator is worn to determine whether the respirator is sealing on the face and if the respirator is being properly worn.

There are two types of seal checks. Positive-Pressure and Negative Pressure.

How is a positive-pressure and negative-pressure user seal check performed?

A positive pressure check: Seal with the palm of your hand the exhalations cover of the mask and then breath out to inflate the cavity of the mask. If there is a small buildup of pressure, it implies that air is not seeping from around the sides of the respirator.

A negative pressure check: Positive Pressure: Seal with the palm of your hand the exhalations cover of the mask and then breathe out to inflate the cavity of the mask. The seal is sufficient if no air enters and creates negative pressure inside the respirator for filtering facepieces the respirator slightly moulds in.

What happens if someone can’t achieve an adequate fit on their Respirator?

Throughout a Fit Test, a different style, brand, size, or model should be chosen until an appropriate fit is found. The same style, brand, size, and model can be tested 2-3 times to achieve a fit. If no fit is achieved after 3 tries, the next style, brand, size, or model should be chosen.

More information

Supporting you: Fit Testing videos

Qualitative Face Fit Testing with the Dräger X-plore 1730 C

Conducting a qualitative Fit Test on the X-plore 1730 C

A Qualitative fit test checks the fit of a respirator by means of using a test substance that the subject can taste. The test includes a range of prescribed exercises to be completed, such as breathing normally, breathing deeply, rotating, rearing and bowing the head, bending and talking. This simulates a typical sequence of movements during tasks involved when wearing the respiratory equipment.

Quantitative Face Fit Testing with the Dräger X-plore 1730 C

Conducting a quantitative Fit Test on the X-plore 1730 C

The quantitative fit test delivers objective results, which can be measured. One procedure measures the number of particles in the mask interior as well as in the ambient air, using a particle counter. The measured values are then proportionally compared. Similar to the qualitative fit test, exercises (movement, breathing and talking) are completed during the quantitative fit test in order to simulate a realistic use of the respiratory equipment.

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Dräger designs respiratory protection devices in line with our Technology for Life philosophy and with user comfort in mind. No matter the scenario, Dräger products keeps people safe.

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