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-0141 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005

MAN TEST NUMBER 5 CLOSED-CIRCUIT, SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS 

STANDARD TESTING PROCEDURE (STP) 

1. PURPOSE

This test establishes the procedure for ensuring that the level of protection provided by the Man 

test 5 requirements on Closed-Circuit, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) 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 H, Section 84.101, Volume 60, Number 110, June 8, 1995. 

2. GENERAL

This STP describes the Man Test Number 5 Closed-Circuit, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus 

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/MATERIAL

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

3.1.1. One B-D Yale (2317 100YL) 100cc (Becton, Dickson and Co.) syringe or 

equivalent.

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0141 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 2 of 9 

3.1.2. Electric timer, calibrated to hundredths of a minute (Precision Scientific Co.) or 

equivalent 

3.1.3. Multiple outlet box with 6 receptacles. 

3.1.4. Applied Electrochemistry CO2 Analyzer - Model CD-3A or equivalent. 

3.1.5. Applied Electrochemistry Oxygen Analyzer - Model S-3A 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 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0141 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 3 of 9 

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: 

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. Test subject will manipulate the unit according to the instruction manual while he is 

sitting at rest. 

5.2. Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide samples (80-100 cc) taken from the unit with a syringe will 

be analyzed at intervals specified in Section 84.101. 

5.3. Oxygen level must meet requirement set forth in Section 84.79. 

5.4. Carbon Dioxide maximum level shall not exceed those specified in Section 84.97. 

5.5. Data Analysis 

5.5.1. Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide results will be taken directly from the respective 

analyzers and recorded on the man-test No. 5 test sheet. 

5.5.2. The time a test subject's respiratory needs are met by the unit will also be noted. 

5.5.3. Any remarks made by the test subject regarding SCBA comfort and performance 

will be noted on the test sheet. 

5.5.4. All sample values must be within the regulations requirements/ranges. 

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 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0141 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 4 of 9 

84.63(a)(c)(d), and Subpart H, Section 84.101, 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. 

84.101 Man Test 5; requirements 

(a) Test 5 will be conducted to determine the maximum length of time the apparatus will 

supply the respiratory needs of the wearer while he is sitting at rest. 

(b) The wearer will manipulate the devices controlling the supply of breathing gas to the 

advantage of the apparatus. 

(c) Samples of inspiration from within the apparatus facepiece or mouthpiece shall be 

taken once every 15 minutes, and shall meet the minimum requirement for oxygen 

specified in 84.79 of this part, and the maximum allowable average concentration of 

carbon dioxide specified in 84.97. 

(d) One sample of inspiration will be taken in the case of 3-, 5-, and 10-minute apparatus. 

7. RECORDS/TEST SHEETS

7.1. All test data collected will be recorded on the MAN TEST #5, CLOSED-CIRCUIT, 

SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS 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. 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0141 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 5 of 9 

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 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0141 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 6 of 9 

MAN TEST #5, CLOSED-CIRCUIT, SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS

Project No.: _____________________________________ Date : __________ 

Subject: ________________________________________ Age : __________ 

Company: _______________________________________ 

Respirator: _______________________________________ 

Observers: _______________________________________ 

Requirement: The test will be conducted to determine the maximum length of time the apparatus will 

supply the respiratory needs of the wearer while he is at rest. 

 Sampling Schedule

Time/Min. CO2% O2% Remarks

 2 _______ 

 5 _______ 

 15 _______ 

 30 _______ 

 45 _______ 

 60 _______ 

 75 _______ 

 90 _______ 

 105 _______ 

 120 _______ 

 135 _______ 

 150 _______ 

 165 _______ 

 180 _______ 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0141 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 8 of 9 

 Sampling Schedule (cont.)

Time/Min. CO2% O2% Remarks

 210 _______ 

 225 _______ 

 240 _______ 

 255 _______ 

 310 _______ 

 325 _______ 

 340 _______ 

 355 _______ 

 410 _______ 

 425 _______ 

 440 _______ 

 455 _______ 

 470 _______ 

 485 _______ 

Comments : 

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

TEST ENGINEER: Pass: Fail: _____ 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0141 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 9 of 9 

Revision History 

Revision Date Reason for Revision 

1.0 9 November 

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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