ASTM F3387-23

Standard Practice for Respiratory Protection

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The purpose of this practice is to provide information and guidance on the proper selection, use, and maintenance of respirators, which will help safeguard the life and health of respirator wearers. This practice is written for all persons concerned with respiratory protection, but especially for those primarily responsible for establishing and administering an acceptable respirator program. This practice contains requirements recommended for enforcement authorities in establishing regulations or codes for respiratory protection use.  
4.2 Exceptions—Users of this practice shall be aware that regulatory agencies may have requirements that are different from this practice.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice sets forth minimally accepted practices for occupational respirator use; provides information and guidance on the proper selection, use, and maintenance of respirators; and contains requirements for establishing, implementing, and evaluating respirator programs.  
1.2 This practice covers the use of respirators to protect persons against the inhalation of harmful air contaminants and oxygen-deficient atmospheres in the workplace. The following are not covered by this practice:  
1.2.1 Underwater breathing devices,  
1.2.2 Aircraft oxygen systems,  
1.2.3 Supplied-air suits,  
1.2.4 Use of respirators under military combat conditions, and  
1.2.5 Medical inhalators and resuscitators.  
1.3 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 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-2023
• ICS: 13.340.30 - Respiratory protective devices
• Technical Committee: F23 - Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment
• Drafting Committee: F23.65 - Respiratory

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F3387-19 - Standard Practice for Respiratory Protection
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM F3537-21 - Standard Guide for Respirator Fit Testing Methods
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM F3620-22 - Standard Practice for Respiratory Protection—Respirator Use—Physical Qualifications for Personnel
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM E2952-23 - Standard Specification for Air-Purifying Respiratory Protective Smoke Escape Devices (RPED)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Referred By: ASTM F3407-21 - Standard Test Method for Respirator Fit Capability for Negative-Pressure Half-Facepiece Particulate Respirators
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023

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: F3387 − 23
Standard Practice for
1
Respiratory Protection
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3387; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This practice sets forth minimally accepted practices for 2.1 ASTM Standards:
occupational respirator use; provides information and guidance F3537 Guide for Respirator Fit Testing Methods
on the proper selection, use, and maintenance of respirators; F3620 Practice for Respiratory Protection—Respirator
and contains requirements for establishing, implementing, and Use—Physical Qualifications for Personnel
3
evaluating respirator programs. 2.2 ANSI Standards:
ANSI/ASSE Z117.1 Safety Requirements for Entering Con-
1.2 This practice covers the use of respirators to protect
fined Spaces
persons against the inhalation of harmful air contaminants and
ANSI/ASSE Z88.2 Practices for Respiratory Protection
oxygen-deficient atmospheres in the workplace. The following
ANSI Z88.10 Respirator Fit Testing Methods
are not covered by this practice:
4
2.3 CAN/CSA Standards:
1.2.1 Underwater breathing devices,
CAN/CSA Z94.4 Selection, Use, and Care of Respirators
1.2.2 Aircraft oxygen systems,
CAN/CSA Z180.1 Compressed Breathing Air and Systems
1.2.3 Supplied-air suits,
5
2.4 CGA Standards:
1.2.4 Use of respirators under military combat conditions,
CGA C-7 Guide to Classification and Labeling of Com-
and
pressed Gases
1.2.5 Medical inhalators and resuscitators.
CGA G-7.1 Commodity Specification for Air
6
1.3 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be
2.5 NFPA Standards:
regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are
NFPA 1851 Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance
mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for
of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and
information only and are not considered standard.
Proximity Fire Fighting
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the NFPA 1981 Standard on Open-Circuit Self-Contained
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for Emergency Services
7
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 2.6 Federal Standards:
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- 29 CFR Part 1910.134 Respiratory Protection
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 29 CFR Part 1910.146 Permit-Required Confined Spaces
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
the ASTM website.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
4
Available from Canadian Standards Association (CSA), 178 Rexdale Blvd.,
Toronto, ON M9W 1R3, Canada, http://www.csagroup.org.
5
Available from Compressed Gas Association (CGA), 14501 George Carter
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F23 on Personal Way, Suite 103, Chantilly, VA 20151, http://www.cganet.com.
6
Protective Clothing and Equipment and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch
F23.65 on Respiratory. Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471, http://www.nfpa.org.
7
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2023. Published November 2023. Originally Available from U.S. Government Printing Office, Superintendent of
approved in 2019. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as F3387 – 19. DOI: Documents, 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Washington, DC 20401-0001, http://
10.1520/F3387-23. www.access.gpo.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F3387 − 23
42 CFR Part 84 Respiratory Protective Devices vapor-removing sorbent or catalyst that removes gases and
49 CFR Part 180 Continuing Qualification and Maintenance vapors and filter that removes particles from ins
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F3387 − 19 F3387 − 23
Standard Practice for
1
Respiratory Protection
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3387; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice sets forth minimally accepted practices for occupational respirator use; provides information and guidance on
the proper selection, use, and maintenance of respirators; and contains requirements for establishing, implementing, and evaluating
respirator programs.
1.2 This practice covers the use of respirators to protect persons against the inhalation of harmful air contaminants and
oxygen-deficient atmospheres in the workplace. The following are not covered by this practice:
1.2.1 Underwater breathing devices,
1.2.2 Aircraft oxygen systems,
1.2.3 Supplied-air suits,
1.2.4 Use of respirators under military combat conditions, and
1.2.5 Medical inhalators and resuscitators.
1.3 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are
mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.4 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.
1.5 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F3537 Guide for Respirator Fit Testing Methods
F3620 Practice for Respiratory Protection—Respirator Use—Physical Qualifications for Personnel
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F23 on Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F23.65
on Respiratory.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2019Nov. 1, 2023. Published August 2019November 2023. Originally approved in 2019. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as
F3387 – 19. DOI: 10.1520/F3387-19.10.1520/F3387-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F3387 − 23
3
2.2 ANSI Standards:
ANSI/ASSE Z117.1 Safety Requirements for Entering Confined Spaces
ANSI/ASSE Z88.2 Practices for Respiratory Protection
ANSI Z88.6 Respiratory Protection—Respirator Use—Physical Qualifications for Personnel
ANSI Z88.10 Respirator Fit Testing Methods
4
2.3 CAN/CSA Standards:
CAN/CSA Z94.4 Selection, Use, and Care of Respirators
CAN/CSA Z180.1 Compressed Breathing Air and Systems
5
2.4 CGA Standards:
CGA C-7 Guide to Classification and Labeling of Compressed Gases
CGA G-7.1 Commodity Specification for Air
6
2.5 NFPA Standards:
NFPA 1851 Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity
Fire Fighting
NFPA 1981 Standard on Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for Emergency Services
7
2.6 Federal Standards:
29 CFR Part 1910.134 Respiratory Protection
29 CFR Part 1910.146 Permit-Required Confined Spaces
42 CFR Part 84 Respiratory Protective Devices
49 CFR Part 180 Continuing Qualification and Maintenance of Packagings
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 abrasive blasting respirator, n—airline respirator designed to protect the wearer from inhalation of, impact of, and abrasion
by materials used or generated in abrasive blasting.
3.1.2 aerodynamic diameter, n—diameter of a unit density sphere having the same terminal settling velocity as the particle in
question.
3.1.3 aerosol, n—particles, solid or liquid, suspended in air (for example, dust, fumes, mists, or fibers).
3.1.4 airline respirator (supplied-air respirator, SAR), n—atmo
...