ASTM F3537-21

Standard Guide for Respirator Fit Testing Methods

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The purpose of this guide is to provide clear and consistent guidance with regard to the respirator fit-testing components of an effective respiratory protection program.  
4.2 The respirator fit test itself is simply one facet of fit testing. An effective program requires much more, including a qualified person to perform the fit test. This guide provides guidance on exactly what knowledge and skills are necessary to perform as a qualified fit test operator.  
4.3 This guide contains information to aid program managers and fit test operators in preparing to perform a proper fit test. This includes guidance regarding potential interference from other personal protective equipment (PPE) with the respirator, detailed information on respirators used for fit testing, selection of respirators before fit testing, and other considerations that shall be met if the fit test is to be effective.  
4.4 A single fit test exercise protocol cannot model all workplace activities encountered by respirator users. Recognizing this, this guide provides flexibility regarding fit test exercise protocols. Exercises may be selected that are more representative of actual workplace activities, including repeated respirator donning.  
4.5 Exceptions—Users of this guide should be aware that regulatory agencies may have requirements that are different from this guide.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides guidance on how to conduct fit testing of tight-fitting respirators and appropriate methods to be used. Fit testing is only one element of a complete respiratory protection program. Examples of complete respiratory protection programs are defined in Practice F3387, 29 CFR 1910.134, and so forth.  
1.2 Purpose—This guide provides requirements for conducting respirator fit testing and includes:  
1.2.1 Qualifications for fit test operators,  
1.2.2 Specific fit test methods,  
1.2.3 Interpretation of fit test results,  
1.2.4 Recordkeeping, and  
1.2.5 Methods to validate new fit test methods.  
1.3 Should and Shall—The provisions of this guide are mandatory in nature when the word “shall” is used and advisory in nature when the word “should” is used.  
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2021
• ICS: 13.340.30 - Respiratory protective devices
• Technical Committee: F23 - Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment
• Drafting Committee: F23.65 - Respiratory

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F3537 − 21
Standard Guide for
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Respirator Fit Testing Methods
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3537; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
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1. Scope 2.2 ANSI Standards:
ANSI/ASSE Z88.2Practices for Respiratory Protection
1.1 This guide provides guidance on how to conduct fit
ANSI/AIHA Z88.6 Respiratory Protection—Respirator
testingoftight-fittingrespiratorsandappropriatemethodstobe
Use—Physical Qualifications for Personnel
used. Fit testing is only one element of a complete respiratory
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protection program. Examples of complete respiratory protec- 2.3 Federal Standard:
29 CFR Part 1910.134Respiratory Protection
tionprogramsaredefinedinPracticeF3387,29CFR1910.134,
and so forth.
3. Terminology
1.2 Purpose—This guide provides requirements for con-
ducting respirator fit testing and includes: 3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 aerodynamic diameter, n—diameter of a unit density
1.2.1 Qualifications for fit test operators,
1.2.2 Specific fit test methods, sphere having the same settling velocity as the particle in
1.2.3 Interpretation of fit test results, question.
1.2.4 Recordkeeping, and
3.1.2 aerosol, n—particles, solid or liquid, suspended in air.
1.2.5 Methods to validate new fit test methods.
3.1.3 canister/cartridge, n—container with a filter, sorbent,
1.3 Should and Shall—The provisions of this guide are
catalyst, or combination of these items that removes specific
mandatory in nature when the word “shall” is used and
contaminants from the air passed through the container.
advisory in nature when the word “should” is used.
3.1.4 challenge agent, n—aerosol, vapor, or gas used by the
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
fit test method for detecting respirator leakage.
asstandard.Nootherunitsofmeasurementareincludedinthis
3.1.5 challenge pressure, n—negative static pressure estab-
standard.
lished inside the respirator facepiece during a controlled
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
negative-pressure fit test.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.6 facepiece, n—see tight-fitting respirator.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.7 filter, n—component used in respirators to remove
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
aerosols from the inspired air.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor- 3.1.8 fit factor, n—numeric expression of how well a tight-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
fitting respirator fits a wearer during a quantitative fit test.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 3.1.8.1 Discussion—Itistheratioofthemeasuredchallenge
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
agent concentration outside the respirator (C ) to its concen-
out
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical tration inside the respirator (C ). (Fit factor = C / C ).
in out in
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.1.9 fit test, n—use of a qualitative or quantitative protocol
to evaluate sealing surface leakage of a specific tight-fitting
2. Referenced Documents
respirator while worn by an individual.
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.10 fit test method, n—combination of instrumentation,
F3387Practice for Respiratory Protection
technology, and protocols used to conduct a respirator fit test.
1 3.1.10.1 Discussion—An accepted method may have more
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F23 on Personal
ProtectiveClothingandEquipmentandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommittee
than one accepted protocol.
F23.65 on Respiratory.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2021. Published November 2021. DOI:
10.1520/F3537-21.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
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the ASTM website. NW, Washington, DC 20401, http://www.gpo.gov.
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