RPE Fit Testing and Advisory Services
Incorporating the RPE Mobile Fit Testing Facility

It is vital that selected Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is adequate and suitable for the purposes. RPE must reduce exposure as low as reasonably practicable, and in any case to an acceptable level. To make sure that the selected RPE has the potential to provide adequate protection for individual wearers, the HSE Approved Codes of Practice (ACoPs) supporting the COSHH, CAW and CLAW regulations recommend fit testing of RPE that incorporates a tight fitting facepiece. Such fit testing and daily fit checking is an essential part of an RPE programme to ensure that the right type and size of equipment is selected and that the wearer can put in on correctly.

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) offers a comprehensive RPE fit testing and training service including:

• RPE fit testing and advice at your work place.
• SF₆ PortaCount and other fit testing methods covering the whole range of RPE.
• Fit testing carried out by experienced and trained personnel.
• Guidance on RPE fitting, selection, training and maintenance.
• Training for RPE users in pre-use fit checking.

  Further information about RPE services at HSL
  Case Study

RPE - Fit Testing
There are two basic types of fit testing - qualitative and quantitative.

Qualitative Fit Testing
Qualitative fit testing is simple pass/fail test based on the wearer's own assessment of the leakage, via the face seal region, of a test agent. These tests are relatively simple to perform and are suitable for half masks and filtering facepieces. They are not suitable for full face masks.

Examples of qualitative fit testing methods:

• method based on bitter or sweet tasting aerosol;
• tethod based on odour compounds.

Types of respirators that can be fit tested with this method include:

• Filtering facepieces FFP1, FFP2, FFP3.
• Half face mask respirators fitted with a particulate or combined filter.

Quantitative Fit Testing
Quantitative fit testing provides a numerical measure of the fit which is called a fit factor. These tests give an objective measure of face fit. They require specialised equipment and are more complicated to carry out than qualitative methods. These methods are recommended for full face masks.

Examples of quantitative fit testing methods:

• Laboratory test chamber
• Portable fit test device - particle counting device; controlled negative pressure device

Types of RPE that can be fit tested with this method include:

• Filtering facepieces P2, P3 types
• Half mask respirators
• Full face mask respirators
• Power assisted respirators with full face mask or half mask
• Breathing apparatus (including air supplied, self-contained and escape types) with full face mask or half mask.

As the centre for the original HSE Approval system for RPE, HSL has acquired substantial experience in providing impartial, independent assessment of RPE performance and fit testing of both conventional and novel RPE. We can provide a range of fit testing methods including:

• Qualitative taste fit testing
• PortacountTM fit testing
• Controlled negative pressure fit testing
• Laboratory or mobile test chamber methods

We can provide the above fit testing methods either at your workplace or at our laboratory in Sheffield.

The Benefit to You
• RPE fit testing and advice at your workplace - keeping lost work time and costs to a minimum
• Confidence that fit testing, guidance and training has been carried out by fully trained and experienced personnel.

Pricing
HSL offers an excellent, comprehensive and independent service at competitive prices.

Further Details
Contact our Business Development Unit by telephone (+44) 01298 218218, fax (+44) 01298 218822 or email hslinfo@hsl.gov.uk.

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