As we do both qualitative and quantitative fit testing, we have the equipment to handle both. We have the traditional, qualitative kit that uses the hood, bitrex or saccharin aerosol and the nebulizer to administer the aerosol. This kit is only for testing respirators that just cover the nose and mouth, or half-mask respirators used in environments where the contaminant concentration is less than ten times the permissable exposure limit. Filtering face piece respirators, or N95s, and elastomeric respirators are considered half-mask respirators. OSHA requires a numeric assessment or "fit factor" of 100 for these respirators.
To detect leakage into the respirator face piece, qualitative fit tests use your sense of taste or smell, or your reaction to an irritant. This is a pass/fail method that relies on whether or not you detect leakage of the test substance into your face piece. Since this test relies on feedback from the test subject to determine if the mask has a leak, it is subjective.
Qualitative fit testing equipment: Hood and test aerosols (bitrex or saccharin).
A quantitative fit test uses a machine to provide a numeric assessment of how well a respirator fits a particular individual by measuring the actual amount of leakage into the respirator. In environments where the contaminant concentration exceeds ten times the permissible exposure limit, a quantitative fit test is required. All full-facepiece respirators must meet or exceed a fit factor of 500, while half-mask respirators must meet or exceed a fit factor of 100. We use the TSI Portacount 8048 fit tester for quantitative fit tests as it provides one consistent and objective testing experience across all respirator types, including all N95 filtering facepieces.
The respirators used during this type of fit testing will have a probe attached to the facepiece that will be connected to the machine by a hose. The Portacount 8048 measures the concentration of microscopic particles in the ambient air as well as the concentration of those dust particles that leak into the respirator. The ratio of these two concentrations is the fit factor.
The Portacount 8048 can be used for the following:
Since the TSI Portacount 8048 can provide a quantitative fit test for those respirators that are traditionally fit tested using the qualitative method, we recommend this method for all fit tests.
Quantitative fit testing equipment: TSI Portacount 8048.
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