Breathing resistance test; minimum requirements.

  1. Law
  2. CFR 42
  3. Public Health
  4. Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services
  5. Occupational Safety and Health Research and Related Activities
  6. Approval of Respiratory Protective Devices
  7. Chemical Cartridge Respirators
  8. Breathing resistance test; minimum requirements.

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§ 84.203 Breathing resistance test; minimum requirements.

(a) Resistance to airflow will be measured in the facepiece, mouthpiece, hood, or helmet of a chemical cartridge respirator mounted on a test fixture with air flowing at a continuous rate of 85 liters per minute, both before and after each test conducted in accordance with §§ 84.206 through 84.207.

(b) The maximum allowable resistance requirements for chemical cartridge respirators are as follows:

Expand Table

Maximum Resistance

[Millimeter water column height]

Type of chemical-cartridge respirator Inhalation Exhalation
Initial Final1
Other than single-use vinyl chloride respirators:
For gases, vapors, or gases and vapors 40 45 20
For gases, vapors, or gases and vapors, and particulates 50 70 20
Single-use respirator with valves:
For vinyl chloride 20 25 20
For vinyl chloride and particulates 30 45 2
Single-use respirator without valves:
For vinyl chloride 15 20 (2)
For vinyl chloride and particulates 25 40 (2)

1 Measured at end of service life specified in Table 11 of this subpart.

2 Same as inhalation.


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