Washington Administrative Code › Title 246 - Health, Department of › RADIATION › Chapter 246-221 - Radiation protection standards › Section 246-221-285 - Assigned protection factors for respirators[a]

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
Operating mode
Assigned Protection Factors
I. Air-Purifying Respirators (Particulate 
							 b only) 
							 c:
Filtering facepiece disposable 
							 d
Negative Pressure .......................
(d)
Facepiece, half 
							 e
							 .........................
Negative Pressure .......................
10
Facepiece, full ...........................
Negative Pressure .......................
100
Facepiece, half ...........................
Powered air-purifying respirators ...........
50
Facepiece, full ...........................
Powered air-purifying respirators ...........
1000
Helmet/hood ............................
Powered air-purifying respirators ...........
1000
Facepiece, loose-fitting ....................
Powered air-purifying respirators ...........
25
II. Atmosphere-Supplying Respirators (Particulate,
							 gases and vaporsf):
1. Air-line respirator:
Facepiece, half ...........................
Demand
10
Facepiece, half ...........................
Continuous Flow ........................
50
Facepiece, half ...........................
Pressure Demand ........................
50
Facepiece, full ...........................
Demand ...............................
100
Facepiece, full ...........................
Continuous Flow ........................
1000
Facepiece, full ...........................
Pressure Demand ........................
1000
Helmet/hood ............................
Continuous Flow ........................
1000
Facepiece, loose-fitting ....................
Continuous Flow ........................
25
Suit ....................................
Continuous Flow ........................
(g)
2. Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA):
Facepiece, full ...........................
Demand ...............................
h100
Facepiece, full ...........................
Pressure Demand ........................
i10,000
Facepiece, full ...........................
Demand, Recirculating ...................
h100
Facepiece, full ...........................
Positive Pressure Recirculating .............
i10,000
III. Combination Respirators:
Any combination of air-purifying and
							 atmosphere-supplying respirators.
Assigned protection factor for type and mode of
							 operation as listed above.
a These assigned protection
				  factors apply only in a respiratory protection program that meets the
				  requirements of this chapter. 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 these circumstances must also comply with
				  Department of Labor regulations.
Radioactive contaminants for which the concentration values
				  in Table 1, Column 3 of WAC 246-221-290, Appendix A, 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 are at least 99 percent efficient. Air-purifying
				  respirators with APFs [GREATER THAN]100 must be equipped with particulate
				  filters that are at least 99.97 percent efficient.
c The licensee may apply to the
				  department for the use of an APF greater than one 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 preuse user seal check on
				  this type of device. All other respiratory protection program requirements
				  listed in WAC 246-221-117 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 section 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 1/3 of the intake occurs by absorption through the skin so that
				  an overall protection factor of three is appropriate when
				  atmosphere-supplyinespirators are used to protect against tritium oxide.
				  Exposure to radioactive noble gases is not coered 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 atmosphere-supplying suits. 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.,
				  WAC 246-221-117).
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.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					    70.98.050. 01-05-110, § 246-221-285,
					 filed 2/21/01, effective 3/24/01; 94-01-073, § 246-221-285, filed 12/9/93,
					 effective 1/9/94.