Respirator Fit Testing | certsafetyfirst

Qualitative Fit Testing

Qualitative fit testing is a pass/fail test method that uses your sense of taste or smell, or your reaction to an irritant in order to detect leakage into the respirator facepiece. Qualitative fit testing does not measure the actual amount of leakage. Whether the respirator passes or fails the test is based simply on you detecting leakage of the test substance into your facepiece.

Isoamyl acetate, which smells like bananas;
Saccharin, which leaves a sweet taste in your mouth;
Bitrex, which leaves a bitter taste in your mouth; and
Irritant smoke, which can cause coughing.

Quantitative Fit Testing

Quantitative fit testing uses a machine to measure the actual amount of leakage into the facepiece and does not rely upon your sense of taste, smell, or irritation in order to detect leakage. 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. There are three quantitative fit test methods accepted by OSHA:

Generated aerosol;
Ambient aerosol; and
Controlled Negative Pressure.

Quantitative fit testing can be used for any type of tight-fitting respirator.

Our Instructors have been Fit Testing Since 1990: Asbestos Employer Employees, Hazwoper Employees, Lead Paint remediation Employees, Mold/ Mold Spores Employees.

Call for Prices and Appointments 323 707 3953, Email guscertsafety@gmail.com