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-0155 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005

MAN TEST NUMBER 6 SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS USING LIQUIFIED GAS 

STANDARD TESTING PROCEDURE (STP) 

1. PURPOSE

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

Test Number 6 requirements on Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) using liquified gas 

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, Sections 84.79, 84.102, and 84.103(a)(b), Volume 60, Number 

110, June 8, 1995. 

2. GENERAL

This STP describes the Man Test Number 6 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Using Liquified 

Gas 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. Electric time, calibrated to hundredths of a minute (Precision Scientific) or 

equivalent.

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0155 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 2 of 9 

3.1.2. Multiple-outlet box with 6 receptacles. 

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

3.1.4. Applied Electrochemistry Oxygen Analyzer - Model S-3A or equivalent. 

3.1.5. Two test subjects meeting requirements of the NIOSH Human Subject Review 

Board (HSRB) approved Protocol. Refer to HSRB-73-DSR-01, “Protocol for the 

Testing of Respiratory Protective Devices” for the proper consent form and 

complete details on the use of human test subjects in respirator certification 

testing. 

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 liquid gas cylinder or dewar must meet all applicable Department of Transportation 

Requirements for cylinder or dewar approval as well as for retesting/requalification. 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0155 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 3 of 9 

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 during all testing. 

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, and 

cryogenic liquid. 

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. Put a full charge of the liquified gas into the unit. 

5.2. Install the carbon dioxide and oxygen probes into the breathing tube for constant 

measuring. (Samples should be recirculated into the SCBA). 

5.3. A subject will then don the unit as per the manufacturer's instructions. 

5.4. The subject will lie face downward and the timer will be started. 

5.5. The carbon dioxide and oxygen analyzers will be monitored constantly with readings 

being noted on the test sheet every 5 minutes. If at any time during the test the carbon 

dioxide is high or the oxygen is low; stop the test immediately. (See data analysis). 

5.6. The subject will remain in this position for one-fourth of the rated-service time. 

5.7. The unit will then be bled down until one-fourth of a full charge of the liquified gas is 

left. 

5.8. Steps 5.2 through 5.6 will then be repeated. 

5.9. Steps 5.1 through 5.8 will be repeated, except the subject will lie on his back during the 

test. 

5.10. Steps 5.1 through 5.8 will be repeated, except the subject will lie on his right side during 

the test. 

5.11. Steps 5.1 through 5.8 will be repeated, except the subject will lie on his left side during 

the test. 

5.12. All comments will be noted on the test sheet. 

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5.13. Data Analysis 

5.13.1. The percent of carbon dioxide cannot exceed 0.5% at any time during the test. 

5.13.2. No less than 19.5 volume percent of oxygen will be allowed at anytime during 

the test to meet the minimum requirements in 42 CFR 84.79. 

5.13.3. The liquid oxygen or liquified breathing air must meet the requirements of 42 

CFR, Part 84, 84.79, paragraph B and D. 

5.13.4. The apparatus shall satisfy the respiratory requirements of the wearer during the 

test to meet the minimum requirement in 42 CFR, 84.103. 

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 

84.63(a)(c)(d), and Subpart H, Sections 84.79, 84.102, and 84.103(a)(b), 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. 

84.79 Breathing gas; minimum requirements. 

(a) Breathing gas used to supply apparatus shall be respirable and contain no less than 

19.5 (dry atmosphere) volume percent of oxygen. 

(b) Oxygen, including liquid oxygen, shall contain not less than 99.0 percent, by volume, 

of pure O2, not more than 0.03%, by volume, carbon dioxide, and not more than 0.001%, 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0155 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 5 of 9 

by volume, carbon monoxide. Methods for making these determinations can be found in 

the U.S. Pharmacopeia National Formulary. Containers used for oxygen must not be 

treated with any toxic, sleep-inducing, narcosis-producing, or respiratory tract irritating 

compounds. 

(c) Compressed, gaseous breathing air shall meet the applicable minimum grade 

requirements for Type I gaseous air set forth in the Compressed Gas Association 

Commodity Specification for Air, G-7.1, 1966 (Grade D or higher quality). G-7.1 is 

incorporated by reference and has been approved by the Director of the Federal Register 

in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from 

American National Standards Institute, Inc., 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018. 

Copies may be inspected at the NIOSH, Respirator Branch, 1095 Willowdale Road, 

Morgantown, WV 26505-2888, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 

Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC. 

(d) Compressed, liquefied breathing air shall meet the applicable minimum grade 

requirements for Type II liquid air set forth in the Compressed Gas Association 

Commodity Specification for Air, G-7.1, 1966 (Grade B or higher quality). G-7.1 is 

incorporated by reference and has been approved by the Director of the Federal Register 

in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from 

American National Standards Institute, Inc., 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018. 

Copies may be inspected at the NIOSH, Respirator Branch, 1095 Willowdale Road, 

Morgantown, WV 26505-2888, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 

Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC. 

84.102 Man test 6; requirements. 

(a) Man test 6 will be conducted with respect to liquefied breathing gas apparatus only. 

(b) This test will be conducted to evaluate operation of the apparatus in other than 

vertical positions. 

(c) The wearer will lie face downward for one-fourth the service life of the apparatus 

with a full charge of liquefied breathing gas, and then a one-quarter full charge of 

liquefied breathing gas. 

(d) The test will be repeated with the wearer lying on each side and on his back. 

(e) The oxygen content of the gas supplied to the wearer by the apparatus will be 

continuously measured. 

84.103 Man tests; performance requirements. 

(a) The apparatus shall satisfy the respiratory requirements of the wearer for the classified 

service time. 

(b) Fogging of the eyepiece shall not obscure the wearer's vision, and the wearer shall not 

experience undue discomfort because of fit or other characteristics of the apparatus. 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0155 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 6 of 9 

7. RECORDS\TEST SHEETS

7.1. All test data will be recorded on the MAN TEST NO. 6, “SELF-CONTAINED 

BREATHING APPARATUS USING LIQUIFIED GAS”, 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-0155 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 7 of 9 

MAN TEST NO. 6, SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS USING LIQUIFIED GAS

Project No : Date: __________ 

Company : ___________________________________________ 

Respirator Type: ___________________________________________ 

Reference: 42 CFR, Part 84, Subpart H, Sections 84.79, 84.102, and 84.103(a)(b). 

Requirement: LOX or LAIR Only. The wearer will lie face downward for 1/4 of the service life of the 

apparatus with a full charge of liquified breathing gas, and then 1/4 full charge of 

liquified breathing gas. 

 The test will be repeated with the wearer lying on each side and on his back. 

Results: 

Test subject: ________________ 

UNIT #1 FULL CHARGE 

Position Time/Min. CO2 O2% Remarks

Face Downward: __________________________ 

Back: __________________________ 

Left Side: __________________________ 

Right Side: __________________________ 

UNIT #1 QUARTER CHARGE 

Position Time/Min. CO2 O2% Remarks

Face Downward: __________________________ 

Back: __________________________ 

Left Side: __________________________ 

Right Side: __________________________ 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0155 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 8 of 9 

Test subject: ________________ 

UNIT #2 FULL CHARGE 

Position Time/Min. CO2 O2% Remarks

Face Downward: __________________________ 

Back: __________________________ 

Left Side: __________________________ 

Right Side: __________________________ 

UNIT #2 QUARTER CHARGE 

Position Time/Min. CO2 O2% Remarks

Face Downward: __________________________ 

Back: __________________________ 

Left Side: __________________________ 

Right Side: __________________________ 

Comments : 

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

Test Engineer: PASS FAIL________ 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0155 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 9 of 9 

Revision History 

Revision Date Reason for Revision 

1.0 2 February 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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