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-0101 Revision: 1.1 Date: 3 June 2005

DETERMINATION OF TIGHTNESS OF HOSES AND COUPLINGS, 

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 

tightness of hoses and couplings 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, Section 84.150, Table 8; Volume 60, Number 110, June 8, 1995. 

2. GENERAL

This STP describes the Determination of Tightness of Hoses and Couplings, 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. Fisher Scientific model-TPX 50cc graduated cylinders or equivalent. 

3.1.2. A source of compressed air (a 300 cubic foot gas cylinder) capable of delivering 

250 psig or higher or equivalent. 

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

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

3.1.5. Two sections of applicant’s supplied air hose and couplings. 

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

equivalent. 

3.1.7. A sink, or container, filled with water, of sufficient size to allow emersion of the 

hoses and couplings, and the graduated cylinder or equivalent.

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0101 Revision: 1.1 Date: 3 June 2005 Page 2 of 7 

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 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 

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. Use the test procedure as follows; 

5.1.1. Connect two sections of the supplied-air hose following the applicant’s 

instructions. 

 Note: The two sections of air-supply hose and connection must be the same ones used for the 

Strength of Hose and Coupling Test (Ref. RCT-ASRS-STP-0100). 

5.1.2. Put the air-supply hose connection used in RCT-ASRS-STP-0100 into a 

container or sink filled with water. 

5.1.3. Attach one end of the connected hoses to a two-stage regulator with gauge and 

compressed air source. 

5.1.4. Connect the other end of the hoses to the SAR being tested and bring up to 

applicable test pressure levels, or separate the SAR from the hose at the quick 

disconnect and pressurize the hoses against the check valve in the quick 

disconnect. 

5.1.5. Immerse the hose fittings or connections to be tested in the container of water. 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0101 Revision: 1.1 Date: 3 June 2005 Page 3 of 7 

5.1.6. Slowly increase air pressure within connected hoses until a constant pressure of 

25 psig or twice the maximum respirator service pressure, whichever is greater, is 

reached, and check for air leaks. Record the pressure level on the test data sheet. 

5.1.7. When connections are properly tightened and the air pressure is properly 

adjusted, invert the immersed graduated cylinder over the hose fittings or 

connections and simultaneously start a timer (stopwatch). 

5.1.8. Measure the cc of displacement for one minute or until the graduated cylinder is 

empty, whichever occurs first. Record the cc of leakage and the elapsed time at 

one minute into the test on the test data sheet. Continue this process for four 

more consecutive one minute periods (five minutes total). 

5.1.9. Calculate the “cc/min” leakage rates and record them on the data on the test data 

sheet. 

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 

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. 

Leakage of air exceeding 50 cc per minute at each coupling shall not be permitted when 

the hose and couplings are joined and are immersed in water, with air flowing through the 

respirator under a pressure of 173 kN/m2

 (25 pounds per square inch) gauge applied to 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0101 Revision: 1.1 Date: 3 June 2005 Page 4 of 7 

the inlet end of the air-supply hose, or at twice the maximum respirator-supply pressure 

that is specified by the applicant, whichever is higher. 

7. RECORDS\TEST SHEETS

7.1. All test data will be recorded on the TIGHTNESS OF HOSES AND COUPLINGS, 

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-0101 Revision: 1.1 Date: 3 June 2005 Page 5 of 7 

TIGHTNESS OF HOSES AND COUPLINGS, 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: Leakage of air exceeding 50 cc per minute at each coupling shall not be permitted when 

the hose and couplings are joined and are immersed in water, with air flowing through the 

respirator under a pressure of 173 kN/m2

 (25 pounds per square inch) gauge applied to 

the inlet end of the air-supply hose, or at twice the maximum respirator-supply pressure 

that is specified by the applicant, whichever is higher. 

Test Data: Hose internal air pressure = (Psig)

Time\Seconds cc 

 1. 

 2. 

 3. 

 4. 

 5. 

Comments : 

 

 

 

 

Test Engineer: PASS FAIL 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0101 Revision: 1.1 Date: 3 June 2005 Page 7 of 7 

Revision History 

Revision Date Reason for Revision 

1.0 27 June 2001 Historic document 

1.1 3 June 2005 Update header and format to reflect lab move from Morgantown, WV 

No changes to method 

 

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