Appendix D: Irritant Smoke Fit Test Protocol

Note: Irritant smoke may not be used to fit test disposable N95 particulate respirators.

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Part 1: Health and Safety Cautions

  • Do not place the test subject in a hood or enclosure during the irritant smoke fit testing.
  • The smoke can cause eye irritation. Refer to the MSDS (Appendix C) for additional information.
  • The fit tester must wear tight-fitting goggles when exposed to the irritant smoke.
  • The respirator user may either wear tight-fitting goggles or keep their eyes tightly closed during the testing.
  • Fit testing must be performed in an area with adequate ventilation to prevent smoke build-up.
Part 2: Preparations of the Irritant Smoke Tube
  • Open both ends of the smoke tube using a Dräger tube-cutting tool.
  • Attach the clear plastic tubing to both ends of the glass tube.
  • Attach the aspirator bulb to one end of plastic tubing.
  • To produce smoke, gently squeeze the aspirator bulb approximately once every 20 seconds.
  • Do not exceed more than 3 squeezes at one time.
Part 3: Sensitivity Screening Test
  • In order to assure that the respirator user is familiar with the properties of the irritant smoke and can detect the smoke, expose the respirator user to a small quantity of smoke prior to donning their respirator as follows:
    • Squeeze the aspirator bulb to generate a small quantity of smoke approximately 1 meter from the respirator user.
    • The respirator user brings a handful of the smoke to within 20 cm of the nose and inhales gently.
    • The respirator user will acknowledge smoke detection by an involuntary cough or verbal acknowledgement.
      • Note: If the respirator user does not pass the sensitivity screening test, another qualitative fit test may be selected. Reference the CSA Standard Z94.4-02 for alternatives.
Part 4: Fit Test
  • The respirator user will don their selected respirator, adjust the straps and perform a negative and positive pressure user seal check (See Appendix B) and then install the provided Organic Vapour/P100 filters to be used for the fit testing. Any other protective equipment that is required to be worn while wearing a respirator must also be worn during the fit tests.
  • Direct the respirator user to close their eyes during the fit test. Tight fitting goggles may be worn if the respirator user prefers.
  • Gently squeeze the aspirator bulb approximately once every 20 seconds during the fit testing exercises.
  • Direct the smoke toward the respirator face-to-facepiece seal area on the respirator user. Start from a distance of approximately 300 mm (12”) and gradually move to within 50 mm (2”) while moving around the entire perimeter of the facepiece seal. Direct smoke to areas under the chin and the bridge of the nose. Avoid directing the smoke directly into the air-purifying filters of the respirator.
  • While the fit tester is challenging the respirator seal with the irritant smoke, the respirator user will perform the following fit test exercises (each exercise is to be done for 30 seconds):
    • Normal breathing
    • Deep breathing
    • Turning head side-to-side within a comfortable range of motion. Inhale and exhale when head is at either side and avoid bumping shoulder with the respirator.
    • Nodding head up and down within a comfortable range of motion. Inhale and exhale when head is at the top and bottom and avoid bumping the chest with the respirator.
    • Talk aloud. May recite the Rainbow Passage:
      • “When the sunlight strikes raindrops in the air, they act like a prism and form a rainbow. The rainbow is a division of white light into many beautiful colours. These take the shape of a long round arch, with its path high above, and its two ends apparently beyond the horizon. There is, according to legend, a boiling pot of gold at one end. People look, but no one ever finds it. When a man looks for something beyond reach, his friends say he is looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow”.
  • In order to pass the qualitative fit test, the respirator user will not be able to detect the smoke. If smoke is detected, stop the test and attempt to determine the reason and location of the leak. If possible, correct the cause of the leak and repeat the fit test. If the repeated fit test is unsuccessful, another respirator will need to be selected and the fit testing repeated.
  • If smoke is not detected during the fit test, repeat the sensitivity screening test to confirm reaction to the smoke. If no reactive is elicited, the fit test has failed and an alternate qualitative fit test must be used. If the respirator user acknowledges reaction to the smoke, the fit test has passed.
  • Complete all sections of Form B Respirator Fit Testing and provide a copy to the respirator user’s supervisor or equivalent written notification of the make and model of the respirator the user was successfully fitted for.