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National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 

National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory 

P.O. Box 18070 

Pittsburgh, PA 15236 

Procedure No. TEB-APR-STP-0046B Revision: 2.3 Date: 24 November 2008

DETERMINATION OF ORGANIC VAPOR (CARBON TETRACHLORIDE) SERVICE LIFE TEST, 

AIR-PURIFYING RESPIRATORS WITH CANISTERS 

STANDARD TESTING PROCEDURE (STP) 

1. PURPOSE

This test establishes the procedure for ensuring that the level of protection provided by airpurifying respirators with canisters (gas masks) submitted for Approval, Extension of Approval, 

or examined during Certified Product Audits, meet the minimum organic vapor service life test 

requirements set forth in 42 CFR Part 84, Subpart I, Section 84.126. 

2. GENERAL

This STP describes the Determination of Organic Vapor Service Life Test, Air-Purifying 

Respirators with canisters 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 / REFERENCES

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

3.1.1. Miller Nelson Research Model 401 Flow-Temperature-Humidity Control System 

(250 lpm) or equivalent. Air flow control accuracy is ± 2% F.S. Temperature 

control accuracy is ± 1° C. Humidity control accuracy is ± 3% R.H. 

3.1.2. Edge Tech Dew Prime II Hygrometer, Model 2000 or equivalent. Accuracy is ± 

0.2° C, ±0.5% RH. 

3.1.3. Miran Ambient Air Analyzer, Model 1A with closed loop system or equivalent. 

The analyzer is a single beam variable filter spectrometer with a variable 

pathlength gas cell. 

3.1.4. Mass Flow Controllers, Brooks Instruments model series 5850S and 5853S with 

Read Out and Control Electronics, Brooks Instruments model 0154, variable flow 

rate depending on use. Accuracy is 0.7% set point & 0.2% FS. 

3.1.5. American Meter Co. Dry Test Meter Model DTM-325. 

Approvals: First Level Second Level Third Level Fourth Level 

 
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Procedure No. TEB-APR-STP-0046B Revision: 2.3 Date: 24 November 2008 Page 2 of 11 

3.1.6. Amersham Biosciences High Precision Pump, Model P-500 with reservoir. Flow 

rate range: l ml/hr to 400 ml/hr ± 1.5% of setting. 

3.1.7. Electronic balance with an accuracy of 0.01grams. 

3.1.8. Miller Nelson Research, Model SV-2000 Vaporizer system or equivalent. Used 

for vaporizing carbon tetrachloride solution. 

3.1.9. Carbon tetrachloride, ACS grade, 99.9%. 

3.2. Test fixture for mounting canisters inside the test chamber. The test fixture used is 

specific to each manufacturer depending on how the canister is mounted to the facepiece. 

In most cases chin -style canisters use the standard 40 mm male thread which mates with 

the test port in the chamber. In some cases the manufacturer is willing to provide a 

machined adapter for mounting canisters with unique threads. Alternatively, the canister 

adapters of the respirator are affixed by hot melt glue to a PVC pipe tee of appropriate 

size which mates with the test port. All adapters are checked for leak-tightness with soap 

solution. 

3.3. The test chamber consisting of an approximately 12" x 12" x 7" air tight box, with 2 

clamp type locks on the door opening lined with gasket material, and appropriate inlet, 

outlet and sampling ports. This fixture is not commercially available. 

3.4. Refer to the following Work Instructions for further information on performing this test: 

 TEB-RCT-APR-WI-1002 – Laboratory Safety Procedures for Carbon Tetrachloride Tests 

 TEB-RCT-APR-WI-1102 – Calibration Procedures for Carbon Tetrachloride Tests 

TEB-RCT-APR-WI-1202 – Start–Up and Shut–Down Procedures for Carbon 

Tetrachloride Tests 

 TEB-RCT-APR-WI-1302 – Using the LabView System for Carbon Tetrachloride Tests 

TEB-RCT-APR-WI-1402 – Reporting Results for Carbon Tetrachloride Tests 

 

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 testing laboratory’s calibration procedure and schedule. 

All measuring equipment utilized for this testing must have been calibrated using a 

method traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) when 

available. 

4.2. Any laboratory using this procedure to supply certification test data as a contractor to 

NIOSH will be subject to the provisions of the NIOSH Supplier Qualification Program 

(SQP). This program is based on the tenets of ISO/IEC 17025, the NIOSH Manual of 

Analytical Methods and other NIOSH guidelines. An initial complete quality system audit 

and follow on audits are requirements of the program. Additional details of the Program 

and its requirements can be obtained directly from the Institute.* 

*Note 4.2 does not apply to Pretest data from applicants as required under 42 CFR 

84.64. 
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Procedure No. TEB-APR-STP-0046B Revision: 2.3 Date: 24 November 2008 Page 3 of 11 

4.3. Precision and accuracy (P&A) must be determined for each instrument in accordance 

with laboratory procedures and NIOSH/NPPTL guidance. Sound practice requires, under 

NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods, demonstrating a tolerance range of expected data 

performance of a plus or minus 25% of a 95% confidence interval of the stated standard 

requirement. NIOSH/NPPTL P&A tolerance can be higher but not lower. 

4.4. The precision and accuracy of this method was determined by validation testing of a 

single lot of commercially available multi-gas type cartridges. The results of these tests 

are shown in the table below. 

 

TEST TYPE 

MEAN SERVICE LIFE 

(MINUTES) STD. DEV. 

 

AS RECEIVED 80.54 1.58 

EQUIL. 25% RH 186.07 2.89 

EQUIL. 85% RH 66.55 8.51 

4.5. Normal laboratory safety practices must be observed. Please refer to Material Safety 

Data Sheets and the current NIOSH Pittsburgh Health and Safety Program for the proper 

protection and care in handling, storing, and disposing of the chemicals used in this 

procedure. 

 

4.6. Carbon tetrachloride is a suspected human carcinogen. Containers of carbon 

tetrachloride are typically used inside the laboratory fume hood. If there is a release of 

carbon tetrachloride such as a spill outside the hood, sound an alarm, and any personnel 

in the laboratory should immediately exit from the building. Carbon tetrachloride is 

considered hazardous waste by EPA and must be disposed of accordingly. 

4.7. CARBON TETRACLORIDE BENCH TEST FOR CANISTERS 

4.7.1. Resistance to air flow of the complete respirator will be taken before and after 

each test (see 42 CFR 84.203). The standard testing procedures are described in 

TEB-APR-STP-003 and TEB-APR-STP-007. 

4.7.2 Test conditions as required by 42 CFR 84.126 

SAMPLE CONDITION 

EQUILIBRATION 

CONDITIONS TEST CONDITIONS TEST CONCENTRATION BREAKTHROUGH 

 FOR 6 HOURS FRONT AND BACK CHIN STYLE CONCENTRATION 

 MOUNTED AND ESCAPE 

 TEMP. AIRFLOW R.H. TEMP. AIRFLOW R.H. 

 ° C LPM % ° C LPM % PPMV CCl4 PPMV CCl4 PPMV CCl4 

1-3 

AS 

RECEIVED NA NA NA 25 64 50 20000 5000 5 

4-5 

EQUIL. 25% 

R.H. 25 64 25 25 32 50 20000 5000 5 

6-7 

EQUIL. 85% 

R.H. 25 64 85 25 32 50 20000 5000 5 
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Procedure No. TEB-APR-STP-0046B Revision: 2.3 Date: 24 November 2008 Page 4 of 11 

Tolerances: 

 

PARAMETER TOLERANCE 

 

25°C ± 2.5°C 

32 LPM ± 0.50 LPM 

64 LPM ± 1.0 LPM 

25% R.H. ± 3% R.H. 

50% R.H. ± 3% R.H. 

85% R.H. +0/-5% R.H. 

5000 ppmv ± 10% 

20000 ppmv ± 10% 

 

NOTES: R.H. levels greater than 85% are difficult to maintain and may cause rapid 

degradation of service life. 

Tolerance on accuracy of air flow rates exceeds specification on Miller Nelson control 

unit because flow rates are calibrated for every test. This improves the precision of the 

measurement and allows for the tighter tolerance on short-term drift. 

4.7.3. All equilibrated canisters will be resealed, kept in a position such that the 

direction of airflow would be horizontal, at room temperature, and testing shall 

begin within 18 hours. 

5. PROCEDURE 

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

 Work Instructions are to be used in conjunction with standard NIOSH test apparatus. 

5.1. Set up the test equipment as shown in Figure 1. 

 

5.2. For carbon tetrachloride detection with the MIRAN 1A, the wavelength is set to 12.6 μm 

and the pathlength to 20.25 meters. Minimum detectable concentration is 1.1 ppmv. The 

closed loop system consists of a stainless steel bellows pump, septum and tubing with a 

sample volume of 5.64 liters. For calibration procedures, refer to the user manual. Inject 

0.11 μL of carbon tetrachloride into closed loop system of the IR as described in the user 

manual. Refer to section 8.2 for this calculation. Once stabilized, the analyzer should 

read 5 ppmv. Make adjustment for Labview software to read 5.0 ppmv. Disconnect 

closed loop system and allow IR to return to zero reading. 

 

5.3. Establish the correct humidity and temperature for the sample being tested as per the test 

requirements in paragraph 4.7. 

5.4. Set the airflow to the required level for the sample being tested as per the test 

requirements in paragraph 4.7. Calibrate the total airflow, including any additional flow 

arising from hygrometer flow rates, from the test fixture using the dry test meter. 
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Procedure No. TEB-APR-STP-0046B Revision: 2.3 Date: 24 November 2008 Page 5 of 11 

5.5. Weigh the canister and record the weight. 

5.6. Measure initial inhalation and exhalation resistances of the canister(s) mounted on the 

facepiece as described in TEB-APR-STP-003 and TEB-APR-STP-007. Record values on 

the data sheet. 

5.7. Make sure diverter valve in the system is diverting the challenge concentration airflow to 

discharge and not into the testing chamber. 

5.8. Mount canister(s) onto test fixture and place in testing chamber. 

5.9 Fill pump reservoir with carbon tetrachloride. Insert needle from pump to septum tee in 

airline. 

5.10. Set the high precision pump for delivery of calculated carbon tetrachloride to obtain 

5,000 or 20,000 ppmv at the testing airflow. See appendix 8.2. Turn on injection tee 

heater. 

5.11. Start flow from the high precision pump to the needle. 

5.12. Record the initial weight of the carbon tetrachloride reserve and start test. 

5.13. Monitor and record challenge and breakthrough temperatures, challenge RH and 

breakthrough values and times throughout testing. 

5.14. Run test until breakthrough of 5.0 ppmv is observed or minimum service life shown in 

section 6.2 is surpassed by 10%. Weigh and record the final weight of the carbon 

tetrachloride reservoir. 

5.15. At end of test, system will automatically direct challenge concentration airflow through 

diverter valve to discharge. 

5.16. Calculate and record the challenge concentration of the carbon tetrachloride (see 

attachment 8.2). 

5.17. Dismount canister(s), weigh and record final weight, and take final inhalation and 

exhalation resistances as described in TEB-APR-STP-003 and TEB-APR-STP-007. 

Measurement of the final inhalation and exhalation resistances is required for 

certification and audit testing. 

5.18. If there is another sample to test, repeat steps 5.5 – 5.16. 

5.19. After all tests are completed for the shift, set temperature and humidity to zero on the 

Miller Nelson system and allow clean air to pass through the system for 30 minutes. 

Purge the breakthrough detector with clean air for 15 minutes. 
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Procedure No. TEB-APR-STP-0046B Revision: 2.3 Date: 24 November 2008 Page 6 of 11 

6. PASS/FAIL CRITERIA

6.1. The standard requirement for passing this test is set forth in 42 CFR Part 84, Subpart I, 

Section 84.126. 

6.2. Minimum service life requirements for canisters are shown below. 

 

Test atmosphere 

Canister type Test condition 

Gas or 

vapor 

Concentration 

(ppmv) 

Flow rate 

(liters per 

minute) 

Number of 

tests 

Maximum 

allowable 

penetration 

(ppmv)1

Minimum 

service life 

(minutes)2

Organic Vapor 

Front and Back 

Mounted 

As received 

Equilibrated 

CCl4

CCl4

20,000 

20,000 

64 

32 

3 

4 

5 

5 

6/12 

6/12 

Organic Vapor 

Chin-Style 

As received 

Equilibrated 

CCl4

CCl4

5,000 

5,000 

64 

32 

3 

4 

5 

5 

6/12 

6/12 

Organic Vapor 

Escape 

As received 

Equilibrated 

CCl4

CCl4

5,000 

5,000 

64 

32 

3 

4 

5 

5 

12 

12 

1

Minimum life will be determined at the indicated penetration. 

2

For a respirator for organic vapor only or a combination respirator designed for respirator protection against 2 or 3 

of the following types: ammonia, acid gas, organic vapor, or carbon monoxide, the minimum life shall be 12 

minutes. For a combination respirator designed for respirator protection against all of the following types: 

ammonia, acid gas, organic vapor, or carbon monoxide, the minimum life shall be 6 minutes each for ammonia, acid 

gas and organic vapor. For escape gas masks the minimum life shall be 12 minutes.

 7. RECORDS/TEST SHEETS

7.1. Record the test data in a format that shall be stored and retrievable. 

8. ATTACHMENTS

8.1. Figure 1. – Bench-Top Set-up 

8.2. Calculations for carbon tetrachloride 

8.3. Data Sheet 
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Procedure No. TEB-APR-STP-0046B Revision: 2.3 Date: 24 November 2008 Page 7 of 11 

8.1. Figure 1. – Bench-Top Set-up 
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Procedure No. TEB-APR-STP-0046B Revision: 2.3 Date: 24 November 2008 Page 8 of 11 

8.2. Calculations for carbon tetrachloride 

Carbon tetrachloride: 

Molecular weight = 153.8 g/mol 

1 ppmv = 6.29 mg / m3 @ 25 o

C ; 760 mm Hg 

1. Calculations for injection rate of carbon tetrachloride. 

Injection rate (ml/hr) = Conc (ppmv) X 6.29 ((mg / m3

)/ppmv) X Airflow (L/min) X 60 min 

1000 (mg/g) X 1000 (L/m3

) X 1.59 (g/ml) 

 

64 Lpm 32 Lpm 

5000 ppmv 75.95 ml/hr 37.96 ml/hr 

20000 ppmv 303.8 ml/h 151.9 ml/h 

2. Calculations for actual challenge concentration. 

Conc (ppmv) = amount delivered (g) X 24.45 (L/mol) X 1,000,000

 Airflow (Lpm) X Test time (min) X 153.8 (g/mol) 

3. Calculations for calibrating downstream concentration using closed loop system. 

Microliter injection amount = Conc (ppmv) X 5.64L X 153.8 g/mol X 1x 106

 μL / L

 1 X 106

 X 24.45 L/mol X 1.59 g/mL X 1000 mL/L 

For 5 ppmv: 

Microliter injection amount = 5ppmv X 5.64L X 153.8g/mol X 1,000,000 μL/L

 1,000,000 X 24.45 L/mol X 1.59 g/mL X 1000 mL/L 

 = 0.11 μL
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Procedure No. TEB-APR-STP-0046B Revision: 2.3 Date: 24 November 2008 Page 9 of 11 

8.3. Data Sheet 

RB - RESPIRATOR CERTIFICATION TEAM 

 GAS & VAPOR RESPIRATOR TEST DATA SHEET (Ref.33-48,50,62) STP No.: [ ] 

 Task Number: TN- Gas Name: 

Manufacturer: Item Tested: 

RESISTANCE Maximum Allowable Resistance 

 (mm of H2O) 

 Actual Resistance 

 (mm of H2O) 

 Inhalation Exhalation Inhalation Exhalation 

 Test 

Initial Initial 

Final Initial Final 

 Result 

 1

 2

 3

 4

 5

 6

 7

 Overall Results: Pass Fail Comment: 

WEIGHTS WEIGHTS (gm) AIRFLOW (Lpm)

 AND 

 AIRFLOWS Test Rate (PAPR Only)

 Test 

Con'd Conc. 

(ppmv) RH% Lpm Initial Final 

 1

 2

 3

 4

 5

 6

 7 

 Overall Results: Pass Fail Comment: 

DATA TABLE Temperature (oC) 

 Test 

 Test 

 Cond. 

 Final 

 Time (min) 

 Leakage 

 (ppmv) 

 Dns

tream 

 Chall

enge 

 Corrected 

 Time (min) 

 1 

 2 

 3 

 4 

 5 

 6 

 7 

 Overall Results: Pass Fail Comment: 

 Was all testing equipment in calibration throughout all testing: Yes 

 

 

 Signature: 

No 

 Date: 
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Procedure No. TEB-APR-STP-0046B Revision: 2.3 Date: 24 November 2008 Page 10 of 11 

RB - RESPIRATOR CERTIFICATION TEAM Page 2 

 GAS & VAPOR RESPIRATOR TEST DATA SHEET (Ref.33-48,50,62) STP No.: [ ] 

 Task Number: TN- Gas Name: 

Manufacturer: Item Tested: 

 

Additional Comments: 

Signature: Date: 
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Procedure No. TEB-APR-STP-0046B Revision: 2.3 Date: 24 November 2008 Page 11 of 11 

Revision History 

Revision Date Reason for Revision 

1.0 March 8, 2002 Historic document 

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

No changes to method 

2.0 19 December 2006 Significant rewrite of RCT-APR-STP-0046. Changes affect form and 

provide clarification of technical content. 

2.1 25 July 2007 Correct tolerance for 85% humidity in table on page 4. Was +5/-0% 

2.2 8 August 2007 Section Change 

6.2 Table: Organic Vapor Escape breakthrough times 

corrected from 6/12 to 12. 

2.3 24 November 2008 5. Sub-steps from 5.9. through 5.19. renumbered, and 

intra references changed accordingly. 

6.1 Reference changed from Subpart L to Subpart I