Regulatory Affairs Manual Series 200

Respiratory Protection Program Program 200.07

Appendix A200.07.02

Appendix A200.07.02:
Guide to Fit Testing -
Irritant Smoke


Guide to Fit Testing

Qualitative Irritant Smoke Fit Test

This qualitative fit test uses an employee’s response to the irritating chemicals released in the smoke produced by stannic chloride ventilation smoke tube to detect leakage into the respirator.

General

·  The respirator is to be equipped with a high efficiency particulate air HEPA filter

·  The smoke can be irritating to the eyes, lungs and nasal passages. The test conductor shall take precautions to minimize employee exposure. It is recommended that eye be closed during test procedure.

·  An employee involuntarily cough or detects the irritant smoke at any time through out the test is indicative of an improper seal and testing must be halted. The employee will need to readjust the respirator and repeat the entire fit test procedures. Adjustments are not permitted during testing procedure.

Sensitivity Test

·  The employee tested must demonstrate their ability to detect a weak concentration of the irritant smoke.

·  Break both ends of the smoke tube and place one end in the flow meter or squeeze bulb. Note the exposed jagged tube end and protect with a short piece of rubber tube.

·  A small amount of smoke is to be directed to the employee prior to donning the respirator to familiarize themselves with smoke properties and to determine if they can detect it.

Fit Test Procedure

·  The employee will don their respirator without assistance and perform the required seal check.

·  The test conductor is to direct a stream of irritant smoke toward the faceseal area of the employee using a low flow pump or squeeze bulb at a distance of 12 inches from facepiece and around the whole perimeter of the respirator.

Test Exercises

·  The employee is to perform the test exercises while irritant smoke is placed at a distance of 6 inches from facepiece and around the whole perimeter of the respirator. Each test exercise is to be performed for one minute.

·  Employee shall breath deeply while in a standing position.

·  The employee shall slowly turn head from side to side, pausing at each extreme to breathe.

·  The employee shall move head up and down, pausing at each extreme to breathe.

·  The employee shall talk out loud slowly and loud enough for the test conductor to hear. The employee is to read a prepared text such as the rainbow passage, count backward from 100, or recite a memorized poem or song.

·  The employee shall bend over as if to touch their toes.

Sensitivity Test

·  Upon completing the above tests, a second second sensitivity test will be administered.

·  If a response is produced during the second sensitivity test, the employee passes the fit test.

X Mandatory Discretionary

Effective Date: March 1998 Rev. # 1 Page 2 of 3

Revision Date: March 2004