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National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory 

626 Cochrans Mill Road 

Pittsburgh, PA 15236

Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0145 Revision: 1.2 Date: 22 October 2020

DETERMINATION OF SOUND LEVEL MEASUREMENTS FOR REMAINING SERVICE-LIFE 

INDICATORS ON SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS

STANDARD TESTING PROCEDURE (STP)

1. PURPOSE

This document establishes the procedure for ensuring that the operational Sound Level

Measurements for Remaining Service-Life Indicators requirements on 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(c).

2. GENERAL

This STP describes the Determination of Sound Level Measurements for Remaining Service-Life

Indicators on 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/MATERIALS

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

3.1.1. Noise Dosimeter—Quest Technologies Noise Pro Series Dosimeter For OSHA 

use, the dosimeter must have a 5 dB exchange rate, use a 90 dBA criterion level, 

be set at slow response, and use either an 80 dBA or 90 dBA threshold gate, or a 

dosimeter that has both capabilities, whichever is appropriate for the evaluation. 

3.1.2. Life size mannequin.

3.1.3. Self Contained Breathing Apparatus Respirator 

4. TESTING REQUIREMENTS AND CONDITIONS

4.1. Prior to beginning any testing, confirm that all measuring equipment employed

has 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 recognized international 

standards when available.

4.2. A background noise level of no greater than 60 dB shall be established and maintained in 

the location where the procedure is performed. 
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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0145 Revision: 1.2 Date: 22 October 2020 Page 2 of 4 

5. PROCEDURE

5.1. Position the microphones of the Quest NoisePro Dosimeter on each ear of the mannequin. 

Following the respirator manufacturer’s instructions, mount the respirator assembly onto 

the mannequin. 

5.2. Each sample measurement should be averaged over 30 seconds. Once the dBA noise 

level of the mannequin setup has been determined to be below 85 dBA safety limit, test 

subject testing may begin.

 5.3. Bleed air cylinder down using the by-pass until the alarm sounds. Turn unit off. 

5.4. Turn on SCBA. 

5.5. Take and record five measurements.

5.6. Data Analysis

5.6.1. Average the five readings taken from the left ear.

5.6.2. Average the five readings taken from the right ear. 

5.6.3. Average the left ear average and right ear average to get the total 

average. 

 5.7. 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 pass/fail criterion is made known herein. 

 

6.2. The minimum sound level for SCBA remaining service-life indicators must be at least 80

dBa when readings are averaged from both ears of a mannequin. 

7. RECORDS\TEST SHEETS

 7.1. Record test data in a format that shall be stored and retrievable. Data to be reported as 

shown in attached data sheet.

8. ATTACHMENTS

8.1. Sound Level Measurements, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Data Sheet
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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0145 Revision: 1.2 Date: 22 October 2020 Page 3 of 4 

8.1. Sound Level Measurements, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Data Sheet
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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0145 Revision: 1.2 Date: 22 October 2020 Page 4 of 4 

 

Revision History

Revision Date Reason for Revision

1.0 14 November 2000 Historic document

1.1 9 September 2005 Update header and format to reflect lab move from Morgantown, 

WV

No changes to method

1.2 22 October 2020 The document is updated to current style and content standards. 

There is no change to the test set up or method, but specified 

sound measurement instrumentation has been updated. The ability 

to collect an average measurement expressed in dBA over the 

specified 30 second interval eliminates the need to convert dose to 

dBA.