A new ASTM International standard test method will help improve the fit of particle-only air-purifying respirators—including filtering facepiece respirators—to ensure wearers have adequate protection, according to www.forconstructionpros.com.
ASTM International’s personal protective clothing and equipment committee (F23) developed the standard, which is published as F3407.
“This standard provides detailed instructions for performing a respirator fit capability test to evaluate the fit of air-purifying half-facepiece respirators,” says Christopher Coffey, an ASTM International member and workgroup co-chair. “The purpose is to increase the probability that available respirators fit a general worker population.”
According to Coffey, the new standard provides increased assurance to users that respirators meeting this standard can be expected to fit better and protect individuals with various facial shapes and sizes against particulate contaminants.
In addition to benefiting workers, Coffey says respiratory protective device manufacturers can use this standard to design, develop and produce better-fitting respirators for public use.
