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Term
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Definition
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Controlled Negative Pressure (CNP)
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Controlled Negative Pressure (CNP) is a type of quantitative fit testing method. CNP is a proven and patented methodology by OHD. It is used in its revolutionary product, the QuantiFit2. The CNP method uses air as the challenge agent instead of ambient aerosols to test for leaks in a respirator.
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Condensation Nuclei Counting (CNC)
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Condensation Nuclei Counting (CNC) is a type of quantitative fit test method. Ambient aerosol Quantitative Fit Testing (QNFT) instruments such as the TSI PortaCount measure aerosol concentration outside and inside the respirator to compute a true fit factor. The challenge agent used is the ambient microscopic dust and other aerosols that are present in the air we breathe.
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Disposable Respirators
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Disposable respirators are a type of particulate-filtering facepiece that is worn over the nose and mouth to protect the wearer from inhaling hazardous contaminants. The facepiece is meant to be disposed of when it has reached a point where it cannot be used safely or effectively.
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Fit Check
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A simple check to ensure the respirator fits each time it is worn. Fit checks ensure the respirator is sealed over the bridge of the nose and mouth and that there are no gaps between the respirator and face. Fit checking must be performed each time a respirator is used, regardless of whether previous fit testing has been performed.
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Fit Factor
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The numeric value of the fit of a particular tightfitting respiratory interface to a specific individual.
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Redon Protocol
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The Redon Protocol is an individual five-step mask fit testing protocol utilising the OHD QuantiFit2 and its controlled negative pressure technology. For an in-depth understanding, please take a look at the 2-minute mask fit test video here using the redon protocol.
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Respirator Fit Test
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A validated method of matching a respirator to an individual. There are two categories of fit tests: qualitative and quantitative.
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P2/N95 Respirator
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P2 and N95 masks are designed to help reduce respiratory exposure to airborne contaminants. They are used when there is a high probability of transmission of airborne contaminants. P2 and N95 masks must have a good facial fit to be effective.
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Qualitative Fit Testing (QLFT)
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Qualitative fit testing is a pass/fail method that uses your sense of taste or smell to detect leakage into the respirator facepiece. It does not detect the actual amount of leakage and can be relatively subjective.
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Quantitative Fit Testing (QNFT)
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A quantitative fit test uses a specialist instrument such as the OHD Quantifit 2 or TSI PortaCount to measure the actual amount of leakage into the facepiece.
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Respirator Seal
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A good fit means the respirator will seal to your skin. A seal check determines the effectiveness of the seal between the respirator and the skin of the user.
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Respirator Compatibility
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The respirator used should be compatible with other PPE donned by the user such as safety glasses, hearing protection, face shields, hard hats and coveralls. To catch any fit issues on the job, any PPE that could interfere with the respirator’s seal should be worn during the fittest.
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Respirator Stability
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The better a respirator fits, the more stable it’s likely to be on the wearer’s face. Fit testing determines the respirator’s ability to retain its seal when the worker is in motion. That’s why test subjects are told to go through several exercises as part of testing. A respirator that shifts during movement may not be able to retain its seal.
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Tight Fitting Respirator
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Tight-fitting respirators are respirators that form a seal to the wearer’s face and will not provide protection if the fit is not adequate.
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User Seal Check
- Positive Pressure Test
- Negative Pressure test
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Employees wearing tight-fitting respiratory protection should perform a seal check each time they put on their respirator to ensure an adequate seal has been achieved.
Users can either perform a positive-pressure or negative-pressure seal check:
- A positive-pressure check means blocking the exhalation valve on a half or full facepiece respirator or covering the respirator surface on a filtering facepiece, usually by using your hands, and trying to breathe out. If slight pressure builds up, that means air isn’t leaking around the edges of the respirator.
- A negative-pressure check involves blocking the intake valves on a half or full facepiece respirator or covering the respirator surface on a filtering facepiece, typically using your hands and trying to breathe in. If no air enters, the seal is tight.
The OHD QuantiCheck is the world’s first quantitative user seal check device. It is designed to go beyond the subjective standards of user seal checks. It can quickly and easily perform a user seal check each time the respirator is donned.
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