What you need to know

The protection factors offered by respiratory protective equipment are often less than assumed, and may be much less, if respirator users are not trained in the correct use of the respirators. If respirators are not fitted to an individual’s face correctly, and their use is not monitored properly, then the assigned protection factors that masks are rated by to reduce the exposure of the wearer to below an acceptable level, will not be there. The wearer’s safety will be at risk. Hazard Testing Ltd offers a Quantitative annual, pass/fail test. Under the standard AS/NZS 1715 a half-mask type respirator has a minimum protection factor of 10, but must achieve a fit factor of 100 by the test, meaning the air inside the respirator is 100 times cleaner for a correctly fitted respirator, than the air outside of the respirator.

A respirator is designed to protect the wearer from inhalation of harmful contaminants, classified by the amount of face seal coverage it provides, and its method of protection, eg a Full-face tight fitting air purifying respirator , Half-mask negative pressure air purifying respirator , Disposable air purifying respirator, Positive air powered respirator, demand valve respirator , direct air respirator. Hazard Testing Ltd can fit all types of tight fitting respirators.

Size matters, every face is shaped differently, so the correct size of mask must be selected for a better fit. Comfort plays a big part in wearer acceptance, in that the mask must be as comfortable as possible and not be adjusted while in the hazard environment. Respirators are available in S, M, L size masks. Hazard Testing Ltd uses interactive technology to assist and train the individual to find the best mask, for fit, and comfort.

A respirator will not provide protection if it is not fitted correctly. The AS/NZS 1715 S2 (2.6) requires a suitable fit test to be carried out for all users of Respiratory Protection Equipment (RPE) with a close fitting face-piece at least once a year. The Quantitative respirator fit test guarantees clients precise evidence and documentation of results for each individual employee in compliance with the AS/NZS standards. Hazard Testing Ltd will issue certification after a test that meets 11 steps of the standard.

Quantitative Fit Testing uses the latest technology that you can trust. Hazard Testing Ltd recommends the PORTACOUNT RPro+ instrument, that eliminates the guess work associated with qualitative bag over the head type fit testing methods. The bag over head method is limited to a fit factor of 100. The protocols for the bag method were developed in controlled laboratory settings, and validated against Quantitative method instrumentation. Quantitative PortaCount instruments do not have the fit factor limitation of 100.

Quantitative fit test systems are very sensitive and are capable of measuring fit factors of 10,000 or higher, making them suitable for fit testing any type of tight-fitting respirator. Hazard Testing Ltd is a National specialist fit testing service that delivers fast, efficient, easy and accurate tests every time. We’ll work to your schedule through our Performance on Demand capability and our well-developed Intellectual Property, to ensure that everything runs smoothly for you. No job is too big or small.

Hazard Testing Ltd established itself 4 years ago, and is an Independent service dedicated solely to fit test all major brands of respirator masks within the New Zealand market. For your convenience, Hazard Testing Ltd has entered into an exclusive partnership with New Zealand’s leading safety supplier, NZ Safety Ltd. This means you can book a fit test with Hazard Testing Ltd and have it charged to your NZ Safety account. For further information about respirator systems including filters or fit testing service costs, you can refer to the NZ Safety catalogue and /or web site or branch network.