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-0104 Revision: 1.1 Date: 6 June 2005

DETERMINATION OF AIR-REGULATING VALVE - 100,000 CYCLES, DEMAND AND 

PRESSURE-DEMAND, 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 airregulating valve requirements on Type C and CE, Demand and Pressure-Demand, 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, Section 84.150, Table 8; Volume 60, Number 110, June 

8, 1995. 

2. GENERAL

This STP describes the Determination of Air-Regulating Valve - 100,000 Cycles, Demand and 

Pressure-Demand, 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. Mechanical Breather with 622 Kg. m/min. Cam as per U.S. BOM Drawings C1748 (3/17/69) Breathing Machine and B-1198 (3/6/69) Breathing Cam. 

 3.1.2. Anthropometric test head with tube for measuring breathing resistance (Sierra 

Engineering Company Model 428) or equivalent. 

 3.1.3. Electric Timer, calibrated to hundredths of a minute (Precision Scientific 

Company) or equivalent. 

 3.1.4. 1/10 H.P. General Electric Pump Model No. SKH19GGR15AT or equivalent. 

 3.1.5. “U” tube manometer (0-24 in.) or equivalent. 

 3.1.6. A 300 cubic foot gas cylinder of compressed air or equivalent.

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0104 Revision: 1.1 Date: 6 June 2005 Page 2 of 7 

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

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

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 testing/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 at all times. 

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. Obtain tracing of flowrate (refer to procedure RCT-ASR-STP-0105A determination of 

demand and pressure-demand Type C and CE supplied-air respirators). 

 5.2. Calibrate breathing machine to 20 rpm and turn off. 

 5.3. Mount facepiece on anthropometric test head with tube for connecting to breathing 

machine. 

 5.4. Connect anthropometric test head to breathing machine. 

 5.5. Assemble complete respirator to facepiece using minimum hose length as per 

manufacturer's instructions. 

 5.6. Connect other end of hose length to a regulated air supply and adjust to maximum 

pressure as per manufacturer's instructions. 

 5.7. Turn on breathing machine and timer. 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0104 Revision: 1.1 Date: 6 June 2005 Page 3 of 7 

 5.8. Allow air regulating valve to be cycled for 100,000 cycles. 

 5.9. At the end of 100,000 cycles turn off timer, breathing machine, and air supply. 

5.10. Obtain another tracing of flowrate (refer to procedure RCT-ASR-STP-0105A 

determination of demand and pressure-demand, Type C and CE supplied-air respirators). 

5.11. Hook a tee connection in line with a vacuum pump. Connect one end of tee connection 

to a U tube manometer and other end of the tee connection to the breathing tube 

connection on the regulator (if regulating valve is mask mounted then mount facepiece on 

anthropometric test head used in Step 5.3. and connect the tee connection to the tube 

running through the test head). 

 5.12. Adjust vacuum pump until a reading of 10 inches is obtained on the U tube manometer. 

 5.13. At the end of two minutes turn off vacuum pump. 

 5.14. Repeat Step 5.10. 

5.15. The tracings obtained in steps 5.1., 5.10., and 5.14. shall be compared and no difference 

found to meet the minimum requirements of 42 CFR Part 84. 

 5.16. To find how many cycles have been run take the time run and multiply by 20 (rpm of the 

breathing machine). 

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, Section 84.150, Table 8; 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 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0104 Revision: 1.1 Date: 6 June 2005 Page 4 of 7 

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

84.150 Air-supply line tests; minimum requirements. 

Air supply lines employed on Types C and CE supplied-air respirators shall meet the 

minimum test requirements set forth in Table 8 of this subpart. 

 If an air regulating valve is provided, it shall be so designed that it will remain at 

a specific adjustment, which will not be affected by the ordinary movement of the wearer. 

The valve must be so constructed that the air supply with the maximum length of hose 

and at the minimum specified air-supply pressure will not be less than 115 liters (4 cubic 

feet) of air per minute to tight-fitting and 170 liters (6 cubic feet) of air per minute of 

loose-fitting respiratory inlet coverings for any adjustment of the valve. If a demand or 

pressure-demand valve replaced the air-regulating valve, it shall be connected to the airsupply at the maximum air pressure for which approval is sought by means of the 

minimum length of air-supply hose for which approval is sought. The outlet of the 

demand or pressure-demand valve shall be connected to a source of intermittent suction 

so that the demand or pressure-demand valve is actuated approximately 24 times per 

minute for a total of 100,000 inhalations. To expedite this test, the rate of actuation may 

 be increased if mutually agreeable to the applicant and the Institute. During this test the 

valve shall function without failure and without excessive wear of the moving parts. The 

demand or pressure-demand valve shall not be damaged in any way when subjected at the 

outlet to a pressure or suction of 25 cm (10 inches) of water gauge for 2 minutes. 

7. RECORDS\TEST SHEETS

7.1. All test data will be recorded on the AIR-REGULATING VALVE - 100,000 CYCLES, 

DEMAND AND PRESSURE-DEMAND, 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. 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0104 Revision: 1.1 Date: 6 June 2005 Page 5 of 7 

AIR-REGULATING VALVE - 100,000 CYCLES, DEMAND AND PRESSURE-DEMAND, 

TYPE C AND CE, SUPPLIED-AIR RESPIRATORS

Project No : Date: 

Company : 

Respirator Type: 

Reference: 42 CFR, Part 84, Subpart J, Section 84.150, Table 8. 

Requirement: The outlet of the demand or pressure-demand valve shall be connected to a source of 

intermittent suction so that the demand or pressure-demand valve is actuated 

approximately 20 times per minute for a total of 100,000 inhalations. During this test, the 

valve shall function without failure and without excessive wear of the moving parts. It 

shall be connected to the air-supply at the maximum air pressure for which the approval 

is sought by means of the minimum length of air-supply hose. 

Results: 

Hose length - ft.: Pressure - psig: 

Flow ( before 100,000 cycle test ): 

Flow ( after 100,000 cycle test ): 

Flow ( after 10 inches of suction ): 

 BOTTLE # DATE TIME MINUTE X RPM = ACTUATIONS ACTUATION TIME

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0104 Revision: 1.1 Date: 6 June 2005 Page 6 of 7 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

14. 

15. 

16. 

17. 

18. 

19. 

20. 

Was all equipment used for this test in calibration? Yes No 

Comments: 

 

 

 

Test Engineer: PASS FAIL 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 
Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0104 Revision: 1.1 Date: 6 June 2005 Page 7 of 7 

Revision History 

Revision Date Reason for Revision 

1.0 27 June 2001 Historic document 

1.1 6 June 2005 Update header and format to reflect lab move from Morgantown, WV 

No changes to method 

 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy 

Uncontrolled Copy 

 Uncontrolled Copy