Respirator Fit Testing FAQ’s
Q: What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative fit testing?
A: There are two different types of fit testing available. Qualitative respirator fit testing is one method of fit testing and is most commonly used to fit test half face respirators and N95 filtering face pieces. Qualitative fit testing uses the sense of taste / smell or a reaction to an irritant to determine whether a mask is leaking or not. There are four OSHA Approved challenge agents authorized for use with Qualitative fit testing.
Saccharine – Tastes sweet (MHD can perform fit tests with Saccharine)
Bitrex – Tastes bitter (MHD can perform fit tests with Bitrex)
Isoamyl Acetate – Smells like bananas (MHD does not use this method of fit testing)
Irritant Smoke – Causes coughing (For the health and safety of our staff and your employees, MHD does not use this method of fit testing and does not recommend using this method of fit testing if another method is readily available)
Quantitative respirator fit testing the second method of fit testing and is most commonly used to fit full face respirators but can be used to test half face respirators and N95 filtering face pieces. Quantitative fit measures the actual amount of leakage in a mask or respirator to determine whether a mask is leaking or not. There are three OSHA Approved Quantitative fit tests authorized for use to fit test respirators in the US.
Ambient Aerosol (TSI PortaCount Respirator Fit Tester) – Measures particulate present in the air and compares it to the air that has passed through respirator filters to determine actual leakage of the respirator. (MHD uses and strongly recommends the TSI PortaCount for all respirator fit testing including for N95 Respirators).
Controlled Negative Pressure (OHD QuantiFit Fit Tester) – Uses negative pressure drawn on the respirator to determine the leakage of a respirator.
Generated Aerosol – Aerosol is dispensed into a booth or test chamber and measures any leaks in the respirator.
Q: Where do you perform respirator fit tests?
A: Our team uses both quantitative and qualitative methods to perform respirator fit tests for your employees. Each method is completely portable, and we do not use bulky trailers or trucks that take up valuable loading dock space or parking at your facility. We do require a small or medium sized room to complete the fit test in. Typically, the smaller the space, the quicker testing will go, but small to medium size rooms will work.
Q: How many of my employees can be tested at a time and how long does each test take?
A: If you schedule Qualitative fit testing, our Industrial Hygiene Technicians will arrive with 2 fit test kits and can complete 2 fit tests every 15 minutes or 8 fit tests per hour. If you schedule Quantitative fit testing, our Industrial Hygiene Technicians will typically arrive with a single PortaCount Respirator Fit Tester and can complete 1 fit test approximately every 6 minutes or 10 fit tests per hour. If you require additional employees to be tested per hour, please contact your account manager for pricing and details.
Q: How long does it take to receive our fit test results?
A: Fit test results are typically available within 3 business days of the completion of testing at your facility.
Q: Do my employees need to be medically cleared before fit testing?
A: Yes! OSHA Requires that all employees that wear a respirator as part of their job duties, have a valid Medical Clearance on File. MHD offers quick and easy online Medical Evaluation Questionnaires (MEQ’s) that provide instant results. Our online MEQ’s are available in both English and Spanish and may be completed on any device that has a stable internet connection including smart phones and tablets.
Q: When will my Industrial Hygiene Technician arrive at my facility to perform fit testing?
A: Our technicians require 20 to 30 minutes in order to set up and perform daily checks on fit testing equipment and will arrive at your facility approximately 30 minutes prior to your scheduled start time. You or a member of your team will need to be available to let our technician into your facility and into the test area 30 minutes prior to start time. Please provide a contact phone number for the employee that will be meeting our Industrial Hygiene Technician on test day.
Q: What is the ideal type of room for your Industrial Hygiene Technician to set up in?
A: While our Industrial Hygiene Technicians are able to make most rooms work, we prefer a room that is smaller in size.
Q: In light of the recent spread of COVID-19 and Social Distancing Recommendations by the CDC, what steps do MHD Industrial Hygiene Technicians take while on-site to keep equipment sanitized and help prevent the spread of COVID-19?
A: Safety and Sanitary Measures for On-site Respirator Fit Testing:
We perform all fit testing in a room of your choosing at your facility. We request a room that allows us to comply with social distancing guidelines as closely as possible. This includes a 6 foot space between employees. Due to the need for our technician to work with employees at different points during the test, it will be likely that your employees and our technician will not be able to maintain 6 feet distance during the entire test, however our technician will limit close contact as much as possible.
Sanitize all test areas between testing groups by spraying Lysol or Microban Disinfecting Cleaner on all surfaces touched by employee including chairs, desk surfaces and PortaCount tubing/qualitative fit testing hood and wiping each surface with clean paper towel.
Each employee should have his/her own respirator. We will not fit test multiple employees on the same (shared) respirator.
Any employee reporting for testing that is displaying signs of illness will be asked to take their testing at a later date. Retesting will be the responsibility of the employer.
Our technicians wear nitrile gloves at all times and replace them frequently throughout the day.
We give our technicians the option to wear an N95 respirator that has been fitted to their face while working at customer sites. Our technicians are also cleared to wear a surgical mask if they choose.