N95 Disposable Particulate Respirator

Two ways of Fit Testing

Qualitative Fit Test

Qualitative fit testing is a pass or 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 face piece. The tester sprays bitter or sweet aerosols near your mask. If you can taste the spray, your mask isn’t a proper fit. 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 face piece. This method is often referred to as the
"Hood" method.

Quantitative Fit Test

Quantitative fit testing uses a machine to measure the actual amount of leakage into the face piece and does not rely upon your sense of taste, smell, or irritation in order to detect leakage. The respirator fit testing equipment measures real-time fit while the user simultaneously performs a series of moving, breathing and talking exercises designed to simulate the same movements made in the field. This type of fit testing is number driven. It measures the effectiveness of the respirator seal by reading inside and outside environments. The respirators used during this type of fit testing will have a probe attached to the face piece that will be connected to the machine by a hose.

Both the Qualitative and Quantitative fit testing methods for N95 masks will consist of demonstrating the proper donning and doffing procedures and the completion of a fit test.

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Be Safe. Get Fit Tested.