Approvals: 1st Level 2nd Level 3rd Level 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 

National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory 

P.O. Box 18070 

Pittsburgh, PA 15236 

Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0110 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005

DETERMINATION OF MAN TEST FOR GASES AND VAPORS - GAS TIGHTNESS TEST - 

ISOAMYL ACETATE, TYPE C, AND CE, SUPPLIED-AIR RESPIRATORS 

STANDARD TESTING PROCEDURE (STP) 

1. PURPOSE

This test establishes the procedures for ensuring that the level of protection provided by the man 

test for gases and vapors requirements on Type C, and CE Supplied-Air Respirators submitted for 

Approval, Extension of Approval, or examined during Certified Product Audits, meet the 

minimum certification standards set forth in 42 CFR, Part 84, Subpart G, Section 84.63(a)(c)(d), 

and Subpart J, Sections 84.159, 84.162, and 84.163; Volume 60, Number 110, June 8, 1995. 

2. GENERAL

This STP describes the Determination of Man Test for Gases and Vapors, Gas Tightness Test - 

Isoamyl Acetate, Type C, and CE, Supplied-Air Respirators test in sufficient detail that a person 

knowledgeable in the appropriate technical field can select equipment with the necessary 

resolution, conduct the test, and determine whether or not the product passes the test. 

3. EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS

3.1. The list of necessary test equipment and materials follows: 

3.1.1. A 300 cubic foot gas cylinder of compressed Grade D air or equivalent.

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0110 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 2 of 9 

3.1.2. A Helicoid calibrated pressure gauge and connecting fittings or equivalent. 

3.1.3. Air regulator, Model 8, from Matheson Gas Products or equivalent. 

3.1.4. Isoamyl acetate - 99%. Source - Mallinckrodt P/N 2491 or equivalent. 

3.1.5 10' x 12' Isoamyl acetate gas tight chamber or equivalent. 

3.1.6. Two test subjects meeting requirements of the NIOSH Human Subject Review 

Board (HSRB) approved Protocol. Refer to HSRB-73-DSR-01, “Protocol for the 

Testing of Respiratory Protective Devices” for the proper consent form and 

complete details on the use of human test subjects in respirator certification 

testing. 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0110 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 3 of 9 

4. TESTING REQUIREMENTS AND CONDITIONS

4.1. Prior to beginning any testing, all measuring equipment to be used must have been 

calibrated in accordance with the manufacturer's calibration procedure and schedule. At 

a minimum, all measuring equipment utilized for this testing must have been calibrated 

within the preceding 12 months using a method traceable to the National Institute of 

Standards and Technology (NIST). 

4.2. The compressed gas cylinder must meet all applicable Department of Transportation 

Requirements for cylinder approval as well as for retesting/requalification. 

4.3. Normal laboratory safety practices must be observed. This includes all safety precautions 

described in the current ALOSH Facility Laboratory Safety Manual. 

4.3.1. Safety glasses, lab coats, and hard-toe shoes must be worn during all testing. 

4.3.2. Work benches must be maintained free of clutter and non-essential test 

equipment. 

4.3.3. When handling any glass laboratory equipment, lab technicians and personnel 

must wear special gloves which protect against lacerations or punctures. 

5. PROCEDURE

Note: Reference Section 3 for equipment, model numbers and manufacturers. For calibration 

purposes use those described in the manufacturer’s operation and maintenance manuals. 

5.1. Close the inside and outside vents, and turn off vacuum. Replace rubber stoppers in side 

bulkhead fittings. 

5.2. Measure 87.5 ml. of isoamyl acetate and pour into cloth wick in chamber. Allow the 

isoamyl acetate to completely evaporate. 

5.3. When the isoamyl acetate is evaporated, then begin test. Each time the test subject enters 

or exits the chamber the following procedure must be used: 

1. Subject enters small room. 

2. Outside vent is opened. 

3. Vacuum is turned on for approximately 15 seconds. 

4. Vacuum is turned off. 

5. Vent is closed. 

6. Subject is then allowed to enter large chamber or exit into the room. 

5.4. A subject will don the apparatus as per the manufacturer's instructions. 

5.5. If Type C, and CE, continuous flow class, demand, or pressure demand is being tested, 

use the maximum and minimum hose length. Locate not more than 25% of the total 

hose length outside the chamber, the rest of the hose will be in the chamber. 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0110 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 4 of 9 

5.6. A subject will wear the respirator into the chamber and connect to the hose. The subject 

will remain in the chamber for ten minutes. Time during the test period will be divided 

as follows: 

(1) Five minutes - walking, turning head, dipping chin. 

(2) Five minutes - pumping air with a tire pump into a 28 liter container. 

5.7. If Type C, and CE, the minimum air supply pressure and the maximum hose length will 

be used. After being tested in this configuration this type of unit will be retested (Step 

5.5.) using maximum air supply pressure and minimum hose length. 

5.8. This procedure will be repeated by at least two different subjects. All subjects' comments 

will be written on the test data sheet. 

5.9. Open door vent and inside door, remove rubber stopper in side bulkhead fittings, and 

exhaust. 

5.10. Allow chamber to exhaust for 3-4 hours, replace stoppers and turn off vacuum. 

Note: This test should be done on a minimum of two respirators or more if additional testing is 

required (42 CFR, Part 84, Sections: 84.12, 84.30, and 84.60.) 

6. PASS\FAIL CRITERIA

6.1. The criterion for passing this test is set forth in 42 CFR, Part 84, Subpart G, Section 

84.63(a)(c)(d), and Subpart J, Sections 84.159, 84.162, and 84.163, Volume 60, Number 

110, June 8, 1995. 

6.2. This test establishes the standard procedure for ensuring that: 

84.63 Test requirements; general. 

(a) Each respirator and respirator component shall when tested by the applicant and by 

the Institute, meet the applicable requirements set forth in subparts H through L of this 

part. 

(c) In addition to the minimum requirements set forth in subparts H through L of this 

part, the Institute reserves the right to require, as a further condition of approval, any 

additional requirements deemed necessary to establish the quality, effectiveness, and 

safety of any respirator used as protection against hazardous atmospheres. 

(d) Where it is determined after receipt of an application that additional requirements will 

be required for approval, the Institute will notify the applicant in writing of these 

additional requirements, and necessary examinations, inspections, or tests, stating 

generally the reasons for such requirements, examinations, inspections, or tests. 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0110 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 5 of 9 

84.159 Man tests for gases and vapors; supplied-air respirators; general performance 

requirements. 

(a) Wearers will enter a chamber containing a gas or vapor as prescribed in 84.160, 

84.161, 84.162, and 84.163. 

(b) Each wearer will spend 10 minutes in work to provide observations on freedom of the 

device from leakage. The freedom and comfort allowed the wearer will also be 

considered. 

(c) Time during the test period will be divided as follows: 

(1) Five minutes. Walking, turning head, dipping chin, and 

(2) Five minutes. Pumping air with a tire pump into a 28-liter (1 cubic foot) 

container, or equivalent work.. 

(d) No odor of the test gas or vapor shall be detected by the wearer in the air breathed 

during any such test, and the wearer shall not be subjected to any undue discomfort or 

encumbrance because of the fit, air delivery, or other features of the respirator during the 

testing period. 

84.162 Man test for gases and vapors; Type C respirators, continuous-flow class and 

Type CE supplied-air respirators; test requirements. 

(a) The completely assembled respirator will be worn in a chamber containing 0.05 +

0.025 percent isoamyl acetate vapor, the intake of the hose will be connected to a suitable 

source of respirable air, and not more than 25 percent of the hose length will be located in 

isoamyl acetate-free air. 

(b) The minimum flow of air required to maintain a positive pressure in the respiratoryinlet covering through the entire breathing cycle will be supplied to the wearer, provided 

however, that airflow shall not be less than 115 liters per minute for tight-fitting and not 

less than 170 liters per minute for loose-fitting respiratory inlet-coverings. 

(c) The test will be repeated with the maximum rate of flow attainable within specified 

operating pressures. 

84.163 Man test for gases and vapors; Type C supplied-air respirators, demand and 

pressure-demand classes; test requirements. 

(a) The completely assembled respirator will be worn in a chamber containing 0.05 +

0.025 percent isoamyl acetate vapor, the intake of the hose will be connected to a suitable 

source of respirable air, and not more than 25 percent of the hose length will be located in 

isoamyl acetate free air. 

(b) The test will be conducted at the minimum pressure with the maximum hose length 

and will be repeated at the maximum pressure with the minimum hose length. 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0110 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 6 of 9 

7. RECORDS\TEST SHEETS

7.1. All test data will be recorded on the GAS TIGHTNESS TEST - ISOAMYL ACETATE, 

TYPE C, AND CE, SUPPLIED-AIR RESPIRATORS test data sheet. 

7.2. All videotapes and photographs of the actual test being performed, or of the tested 

equipment shall be maintained in the task file as part of the permanent record. 

7.3. All equipment failing any portion of this test will be handled as follows: 

7.3.1. If the failure occurs on a new certification application, or extension of approval 

application, send a test report to the RCT Leader and prepare the hardware for 

return to the manufacturer. 

7.3.2. If the failure occurs on hardware examined under an Off-the-Shelf Audit the 

hardware will be examined by a technician and the RCT Leader for cause. All 

equipment failing any portion of this test may be sent to the manufacturer for 

examination and then returned to NIOSH. However, the hardware tested shall be 

held at the testing laboratory until authorized for release by the RCT Leader, or 

his designee, following the standard operating procedures outlined in Procedure 

for Scheduling, and Processing Post-Certification Product Audits, RB-SOP0005-00. 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0110 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 7 of 9 

GAS TIGHTNESS TEST - ISOAMYL ACETATE, TYPE C, AND CE, 

SUPPLIED-AIR RESPIRATORS

Project No : Date: __________ 

Company : ___________________________________________ 

Respirator Type: ___________________________________________ 

Reference: 42 CFR, Part 84, Subpart J, Sections 84.159, 84.162, and 84.163. 

Requirement: Type C and Type CE continuous-flow class; test requirements. 

The completely assembled respirator will be worn in a chamber containing 0.05 + 0.025 

percent isoamyl acetate vapor, the intake of the hose will be connected to a suitable 

source of respirable air, and not more than 25 percent of the hose length will be located in 

isoamyl acetate free air. 

The minimum flow of air required to maintain a positive pressure in the respiratory-inlet 

covering through the entire breathing cycle will be supplied to the wearer, provided 

however, that airflow shall not be less than 115 liters per minute for tight-fitting and not 

less than 170 liters per minute for loose-fitting respiratory inlet-coverings. 

The test will be repeated with the maximum rate of flow attainable within specified 

operating pressures. 

 Type C demand and pressure-demand classes; test requirements. 

The completely assembled respirator will be worn in a chamber containing 0.05 + 0.025 

percent isoamyl acetate vapor, the intake of the hose will be connected to a suitable 

source of respirable air, and not more than 25 percent of the hose length will be located in 

isoamyl acetate free air. 

The test will be conducted at the minimum pressure with the maximum hose length and 

will be repeated at the maximum pressure with the minimum hose length. 

 Note: The test will be conducted with minimum flow (i.e., pressure) and maximum hose length; 

and maximum flow (i.e., pressure) and minimum hose length, as requested by 

manufacturer. 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0110 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 8 of 9 

Results: 

Test Subject: #1. #2.______________ 

 Unit #1 Unit #2 Unit #1 Unit #2

Min. Hose Length: _______ 

Max. Pressure: _______ 

Max. Hose Length: _______ 

Min. Pressure: _______ 

Device: Continuous Demand Pressure-Demand_______ 

5 Minutes nodding and turning head, walking, and bending: 

Comments: 

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

5 Minutes pumping: 

Comments: 

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

 

Test Engineer: Pass: Fail:________ 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0110 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 9 of 9 

Revision History 

Revision Date Reason for Revision 

 February 1996 NIOSH has reduced the IDLH for isoamyl acetate in the Pocket Guide 

to Chemical Hazards from 3000 ppm to 1000 ppm. This resulted in the 

NIOSH STP being run at the IDLH concentration contrary to good 

work practices, and OSHA standards which stipulate the 

“concentrations during the test shall not exceed an OSHA permissible 

exposure limit, the ACGIH threshold limit values, or any known 

recommended exposure limit, when there is no OSHA PEL or ACGIH 

TLV, and not create a health or physical hazard for the test subject or 

operator.” In the face of these facts, the test concentration was reduced 

to the OSHA PEL and NIOSH REL of 500 ppm with commitment to 

revisit the appropriateness of the test, and of isoamyl acetate as the test 

agent of choice in future regulation change modules. 

1.0 31 May 2001 Historic document 

1.1 12 September 

2005 

Update header and format to reflect lab move from Morgantown, WV 

No changes to method 

 

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