3. How well does the face-piece seal to the persons face?
What is Fit Testing
About determining if a specific respirator fits to a persons face
All respirators leak, the PortaCount machine measures how well a respirator fits onto a persons face, by counting the concentration of microscopic particles in the air, and then counting the percentage of those particles that leak into the mask – this is know as Quantitative fit testing , because the fit of the respirator is actually measured.
How well does the face-piece seal to the persons face?

4. Who needs to be fit tested
I think it reasonable that if your required to wear a respirator in your job – then you should be fit tested. It is also a mandatory requirement of the standard ASNZS1715
Police – Military – emergency services – medical people – laboratories – etc …

5. Safety Training Why Should We Fit Test Comfort
Confirms that the respirator provides a satisfactory seal or barrier between the wearer and the contaminated environment.
Ensures that the wearer knows how to properly don and use the respirator
Helps to determine if a respirator will be comfortable for the worker while performing work duties
Safety
Training
Comfort
From a Safety point of view it confirms ….
Training ensures ….
Read the “helps ….. (Then) … having the right size mask is key (3 different sizes) … and having the right strap tension - all adds to the overall comfort factor

6. Best Practice
AS/NZS 1715:2009 selection ,use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
Legal
HSE act: take all practicable steps
AS/NZS requires fit testing to determine an adequate match, between the face piece and the face of the wearer.
Then there's the HSE act …..

7. Fit Test Methods Qualitative Quantitative
The standard AS/NZS 1715 states “ the use of one or both types of test depends on the type of RPE (respiratory protection equipment) to be fit tested. Qualitative fit tests are limited to lower protection factors where disposable and half mask are required – higher protection factors require Quantitative fit testing (osha 29cfr (f) (6,7)

8. Fit Test Methods Qualitative Quantitative SUBJECTIVE
Rely on the wearers subjective response
OBJECTIVE
Assesses the adequacy of respirator fit by “numerically measuring the amount of leakage into the respirator.”
The fit test protocol itself, is the same for both tests – requiring 8 exercises that simulate common workplace movements – for the Quantitative test, each exercise is measured and assigned a corresponding “fit factor” at the end of the test cycles an overall fit factor is then calculated.
Lets look at these fit factors …..

9. Condensation Particle Counter
The particle counter sees particles through a technique called condensation. Particles counted, are the challenge agent used for fit testing
The fit tester uses alcohol vapour ( reagent grade isopropyl alcohol) to grow submicron particles to supermircon alcohol droplets and then measures the concentration of the alcohol droplets. The fit tester is sensitive to particles with diameters as small as microns

10. CPC Basics Snap shot of the process…..
Lets now see a demo of the fit testing ………..

11. Quantitative fit factor
Fit Factor = C out divided by C in
The PortaCount pro measures particle concentration outside the respirator (C out) and divides this value by the particle concentration measured inside the respirator (C in)
A fit factor pass for a disposable and half mask is 100
A fit factor pass for a full face is 500
As an example – a fit factor of 100 means - the air inside the of the respirator is 100 times cleaner than the air outside the respirator.

12. Advantages of Quantitative fit testing
Saves time – total cost reduced
Precise
No chance of deception
No fit factor limit – disposable ,half mask , full face , SCBA
Useful training tool
Hard copy documentation of results
Piece of mind
Talk through each ……
Lets get to the Portacount machine itself …..

13. AS/NZS 1715: 2009
To comply with AS/NZS 1715 you need to have a system in place that covers:
Appointment of a programme administrator
Selection of RPE
Medical screening of end users
Training
Issue of RPE
Fitting of equipment
Respiratory testing
Wearing of RPE
Maintenance of RPE
Record keeping
Program evaluation

14. Onsite Quantitative Fit Testing - 0508 FIT TEST
Ensure correct sized equipment is being used
Employees are trained in fitting, care & maintenance
AS/NZS requirements for a Respiratory Protection Programme (RPP) are met