Code of Federal Regulations Title 42. Public Health § 42.84.180 Particulate loading test—PAPR series PAPR100–N and PAPR100–P filtration

(a) Twenty filters of each powered air-purifying particulate respirator design will be tested for filter efficiency against:

(b) Prior to filter efficiency testing of 20 series PAPR100–N filters, the 20 to be tested will be taken out of their packaging and placed in an environment of 85 ±5 percent relative humidity at 38 ±2.5 °C for 25 ±1 hours. Following the pre-conditioning, filters will be sealed in a gas-tight container and tested within 10 hours.

(c) For powered air-purifying particulate respirators with a single filter, filters will be tested at a continuous airflow rate of 85 ±4 liters per minute. Where filters are to be used in pairs, the test-aerosol airflow rate will be 42.5 ±2 liters per minute through each filter.

(d) Filter efficiency test aerosols:

(e) The test will continue until minimum efficiency is achieved or until an aerosol mass of at least 200 ±5 mg has contacted the filter. For PAPR100–P series filters, if the filter efficiency is decreasing when the 200 ±5 mg challenge point is reached, the test will be continued until there is no further decrease in efficiency.

(f) The efficiency of the filter will be monitored and recorded throughout the test period by a suitable forward-light scattering photometer or equivalent instrumentation.

(g) The minimum efficiency for each of the 20 filters will be determined and recorded and must be equal to or greater than the filter efficiency criterion for PAPR100–N and PAPR100–P, efficiency ≥99.97 percent, pursuant to § 84.170(b).