Professional Mask Fit Testing Services Across Australia

Mask Fit testing is a process used to check if a tight-fitting respirator, like a mask, forms a proper seal around your face. This is crucial to ensure that the mask provides the full protection it’s designed to offer. The most reliable way to do this is through quantitative fit testing, which is considered the gold standard. If your mask doesn’t seal correctly, you could still be exposed to the hazards you’re trying to avoid by wearing the respirator.

Mask fit testing guarantees that a respirator effectively seals to the user’s face. It is vital because even the tiniest gaps can lead to the inhalation of hazardous airborne particles, chemicals, or infectious agents. Proper fit guarantee the mask is able to properly function and provide the intended level of protection needed.

Yes, it is possible to fail a fit test. A test can fail instantly for several reasons, which would mean stopping the test early. Here are some common reasons for failure:

• The mask doesn’t seal properly due to an incorrect size, model, or style.
• Smoking or eating within 30 minutes before the test can affect the results by altering the particle count, potentially leading to a false reading.
• Not being clean-shaven can prevent a perfect seal, especially with facial hair like beards or goatees.
• Incorrectly putting on the mask or improper strap tension.

The mask may have lost its integrity or could be damaged.

A complete mask fit test usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes, assuming everything goes smoothly and the mask fits properly.

Fit testing should be done when you first get your respirator, at least once a year after that, and whenever you get a new size, style, make, or model of the mask. Although not always required by law, many companies consider fit testing a best practice to ensure their workers’ health and safety.

Yes, according to AS/NZS 1715 S2(2.6), fit testing is required at least once a year for anyone using Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) with tight-fitting face pieces. This is to make sure the mask continues to provide a good seal. It’s recommended to do this annually thereafter.

To get the most accurate results from your fit test, you’ll need to:

• Be clean-shaven on the day of the test—no beards or goatees.
• Avoid smoking, vaping, or eating for at least 30 minutes before the test.
• Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure it works well with your respirator during the test.

Fit testing should ideally be conducted once a year. However, additional testing will be needed if changes such as significant weight gain or loss, dental work, facial surgery, or a change in the type or model of respirator used.

Qualitative fit testing is a pass/fail approach based on the user’s ability to smell or taste, or respond to an irritant (such as a bitter or sweet aerosol) designed to highlight gaps or leaks.

In contrast, quantitative fit testing uses a machine to measure the actual amount of leakage into the respirator, providing a numerical fit factor which increases the precision of the test and makes it suitable for tight-fitting respirators, particularly in high risk areas.

Facial hair can affect the seal of a respirator, facial hair ranging from beards to stubble can hinder the protective capabilities of respirators. Stubble and beards do not allow the respirator to seal properly maintaining negative pressure, therefore, a respirator’s effectiveness is only ensured when the region of contact is smooth shaved.

Yes, Australia WHS (Work Health and Safety) laws require that fit testing be performed for any person who requires to use a close fitting respirator for protection from inhaled risks. Employers are obliged to carry out fit testing within the scope of a full respiratory protection program.