Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 220 - Rules Relating to Radiation Protection › Part D - STANDARDS FOR PROTECTION AGAINST RADIATION › Appendix 144-220-D-A - ASSIGNED PROTECTION FACTORS FOR RESPIRATOR [A]

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Operating Mode
Assigned Protection Factors
I. Air purifying respirators
								(Particulateb only)c
Filtering faceplate
								disposabled ------
Facepiece,
								halfe------------------------
Facepiece, full-------------------------
Facepiece, half-------------------------
Facepiece, full-------------------------
Helmet/hood---------------------------
Facepiece, loose fitting---------------
Negative pressure---------------
Negative pressure---------------
Negative pressure---------------
Powered air-purifying respirators-
Powered air-purifying respirators-
Powered air-purifying respirators-
Powered air-purifying respirators-
(d)
10
100
50
1000
1000
25
II. Atmosphere supplying respirators (Particulate,
								gases, and vaporsf)
1: Air-line respirator: Facepiece,
								half-----------------------
Facepiece,
								halfe----------------------
Facepiece, half-----------------------
Facepiece, full------------------------
Facepiece, full------------------------
Facepiece, full------------------------
Helmet/hood--------------------------
Facepiece, loose fitting-------------
Suit------------------------------------
2: Self-contained breathing apparatus
								(SCBA):
Facepiece, full-----------------------
Facepiece, full-----------------------
Facepiece, full-----------------------
Facepiece, full-----------------------
Demand---------------------------
Continuous flow----------------
Pressure demand----------------
Demand---------------------------
Continuous flow----------------
Pressure demand----------------
Continuous flow----------------
Continuous flow----------------
Continuous flow----------------
Demand---------------------------
Pressure demand-----------------
Demand, recirculating------------
Positive pressure recirculating---
10
50
50
100
1000
1000
1000
25
(g)
h100
i10,000
h100
i10,000
III. Combination respirators:
Any combination of air-purifying and
								atmosphere-supplying respirators
Assigned protection factor for type and mode of
								operations as listed above
a-i See the following pages for
					 footnotes.
Appendix A.
a. These assigned protection factors apply only in
					 respiratory protection program that meets the requirements of this Part. They
					 are applicable only to airborne radiological hazards and may not be appropriate
					 to circumstances when chemical or other respiratory hazards exist instead of,
					 or in addition to, radioactive hazards. Selection and use of respirators for
					 such circumstances must also comply with Department of Labor regulations.
					 Radioactive contaminants for which the concentration values in Table 1, column
					 3 of Appendix B to Part D are based on internal dose due to inhalation may, in
					 addition, present external exposure hazards at higher concentrations. Under
					 these circumstances, limitations on occupancy may have to be governed by
					 external dose limits.
b. Air purifying respirators with APF <100 must be
					 equipped with particulate filters that are at least 95 percent efficient. Air
					 purifying respirators with APF =100 must be equipped with particulate filters
					 that area at least 99 percent efficient. Air purifying respirators with APF
					 >100 must be equipped with particulate filters that area at least 99.97
					 percent efficient.
c. The licensee may apply to the Agency for the use of an
					 APF greater than 1 for sorbent cartridges as protection against airborne
					 radioactive gases and vapors (e.g., radioiodine).
d. Licensees may permit individuals to use this type of
					 respirator who have not been medically screened or fit tested on the device
					 provided that no credit be taken for their use in estimating intake or dose. It
					 is also recognized that it is difficult to perform an effective positive or
					 negative pressure pre-use user seal check on this type of device. All other
					 respiratory protection program requirements listed in D.1703 and
					 10 CFR Part
					 20, Appendix A. apply. An assigned protection
					 factor has not been assigned for these devices. However, an APF equal to 10 may
					 be used if the licensee can demonstrate a fit factor of at least 100 by use of
					 a validated or evaluated, qualitative or quantitative fit test.
e. Under-chin type only. No distinction is made in this
					 Appendix between elastomeric half-masks with replaceable cartridges and those
					 designed with the filter medium as an integral part of the facepiece (e.g.,
					 disposable or reusable disposable). Both types are acceptable so long as the
					 seal area of the latter contains some substantial type of seal enhancing
					 material such as rubber or plastic, the two or more suspension straps are
					 adjustable, the filter medium is at least 95 percent efficient and all other
					 requirements of this Part are met.
f. The assigned protection factors for gases and vapors are
					 not applicable to radioactive contaminants that present an absorption or
					 submersion hazard. For tritium oxide vapor, approximately one0third of the
					 intake occurs by absorption through the skin so that an overall protection
					 factor of 3 is appropriate when atmosphere-supplying respirators are used to
					 protect against tritium oxide. Exposure to radioactive noble gases is not
					 considered a significant respiratory hazard, and protective actions for these
					 contaminants should be based on external (submersion) dose
					 considerations.
g. No NIOSH approval schedule is currently available for
					 atmospheric supplying units. This equipment may be used in an acceptable
					 respiratory protection program as long as all the other minimum program
					 requirements, with the exception of fit testing, are met (i.e., D.24).
h. The licensee should implement institutional controls to
					 assure that these devices are not used in areas immediately dangerous to life
					 or health (IDLH).
i. This type of respirator may be used as an emergency
					 device in unknown concentrations for protection against inhalation hazards.
					 External radiation hazards and other limitations to permitted exposure such as
					 skin absorption shall be taken into account in these circumstances. This device
					 may not be used by any individual who experiences perceptible outward leakage
					 of breathing gas while wearing the device.