NIOSH Conformity Assessment Notice

NIOSH CA 2018-1003

June 2018

 

NIOSH Use of a Personal Computer (PC) Based System, Microsoft Windows 

and National Instruments’ LabVIEWTM Data Acquisition Software to replace 

use of the Gould RS3200 Strip Chart Recorder beginning June 15, 2018
Document Number

NIOSH CA 2018-1003

Page 2 of 4

1 SUMMARY

For more than 15 years, NIOSH has tested respiratory protective devices (RPD) using the Gould 

Instrument Systems, Inc. model RS3200 strip chart recorder (with carrier amplifier). Gould Instrument 

Systems, Inc. is no longer in business and replacement parts for the RS3200 are no longer available. 

NIOSH developed a data acquisition system using National Instruments’ LabVIEWTM software that will 

run on Microsoft Windows personal computer (PC) based platforms. Two standard test procedures 

(STPs) have been updated to include the use of the LabVIEW system, STP 120 and STP 121.

All respirator approval application(s) requiring testing in accordance with STP 120 and STP 121 

submitted to NIOSH after June 15, 2018 will be evaluated using the LabVIEWTM system. NIOSH will 

provide manufacturers the LabVIEWTM strip chart program at no charge. The LabVIEWTM strip chart 

program has been successfully tested on LabVIEWTM versions 2013 and 2017. NIOSH will provide 

limited assistance during initial setup of the program but will not provide 24/7 technical support.

Note: Information will be provided as additional STPs are updated to include the use of the LabVIEWTM

system. 

2 AUTHORITY

42 C.F.R. Part 84, Respiratory Protective Devices

Subpart H, Self-contained breathing apparatus

NIOSH Standard Test Procedures

RCT-ASR-STP-0120, Determination of Positive Pressure, Open-Circuit, Pressure-Demand, SelfContained Breathing Apparatus 

RCT-ASR-STP-0121, Determination of Rated Service Time, Open-Circuit, Demand and PressureDemand, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus

Subject: NIOSH Use of a Personal Computer (PC) Based System, Microsoft Windows and National 

Instruments’ LabVIEWTM Data Acquisition Software to replace use of the Gould RS3200 Strip Chart 

Recorder beginning June 15, 2018
Document Number

NIOSH CA 2018-1003

Page 3 of 4

3 BACKGROUND and SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

The National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) Division of NIOSH is located in 

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Morgantown, West Virginia. Testing Laboratories at both locations are 

equipped with a new LabVIEWTM based system. Previously, only the Pittsburgh laboratory used the

Gould RS3200 system. To validate the LabVIEWTM based system, NIOSH NPPTL conducted testing in 

Pittsburgh and Morgantown using NIOSH-approved Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBAs). The 

respirators were tested using the Gould system in Pittsburgh as well as the LabVIEWTM systems in 

Pittsburgh and Morgantown. A statistician at NPPTL analyzed the results. 

Results show that the LabVIEWTM strip chart system is capable of replacing the Gould strip chart 

recorder. Additional benefits of the LabVIEWTM system include automatic data logging and a reduction 

of the subjectivity associated with determining pass/fail results (using the strip recorder). The results 

of this comparison are detailed in the NIOSH Conformity Assessment Notice CA 2018-1002 “IntraLaboratory Comparison of LabVIEWTM Data Acquisition Software to replace use of the Gould RS3200 

Strip Chart Recorder ” and are available for download from an SFTP site (information is provided 

below).

 

LabVIEW Strip Chart Recorder Downloading Instructions

The LabVIEWTM Strip Chart software and NIOSH CA 2018-1002, summarizing the comparison of the 

systems, which was conducted in NIOSH laboratories, can be accessed through a Secure File Transfer 

Protocol (SFTP) website. Below are SFTP website instructions on how to access the SFTP site and 

download the software.

1. Install a program (SFTP client) to allow access to the files provided by NIOSH.

Note: NIOSH has successfully tested the free SFTP client FileZilla v3.32.

2. Log in to the FTP/SFTP shared drive

Host: ftp://sftp.cdc.gov

Username: NPPTLETB

Password: MHzDZ22x4yv7TnV

Note: Upon login, one subfolder and one file (NIOSH CA 2018-1002) are accessible. 

3. Open the folder “Copy_Contents_to_C_Drive”.

4. Two subfolders are accessible, named “Projects” and “SCBA”. Save these two subfolders onto 

the computer to be used for testing, in the C: drive of the laboratory workstation.

5. The file used to run the LabVIEWTM Strip Chart software will appear. To run this application,
Document Number

NIOSH CA 2018-1003

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click on the newly created file “C:\Projects\LabVIEW Strip Chart Files\Main\SCBA_Test.vi”.

Note: The application has been successfully tested on LabVIEWTM 2013 Full Development System and 

LabVIEWTM 2017 Professional Development System

For further information, contact NIOSH NPPTL.

4 REFERENCES

Approval of Respiratory Protective Devices, 42 C.F.R, Part 84

December 7, 2017 NIOSH /NPPTL Meeting for All Respirator Manufacturers

NIOSH Conformity Assessment Notice Number CA 2018-1002