Call up 3M , they will offer training , sometimes free training if you purchase sufficient quantities of their products.

Other supplies may do likewise. Be prepared to barter with them to secure a deal.

Jon

We used 3M for the qualitative fit testing (the sort where you spray bitterex into people's faces- great fun) we then used RPS (http://www.rpsgroup.com/UK/Services/F/Face-Fit-Testing.aspx) for the posher quantitative face fit testing with the particle counter- which what you need for full face masks.

The original poster wants to carry out face fit tests, but does not state whether he want to carry out Qualitative tests (without instruments) or Quantitative face fits (using the Portacount machine).

For more information contact the BSiF regarding the "Fit2Fit" testing scheme.

The answers supplied are all referring to Qualitative fit testing.

As I have stated on previous occasions, Qualitative face fits are a waste of time, effort and money, and they prove/verify nothing. The results are purely subjective and rely on the testers "opinion". They are not worth the paper they are printed on, and are not legally compliant.

A Kurdziel is wrong in his statement that you only need Quantitative fit testing for "posher full face masks".

In the COSHH ACop (L5), Regulation 7 guidance paragraph 150 states:

"Employers should ensure that the selected facepiece (tight and loose fitting type) is of the right size and can correctly fit each wearer. For a tight-fitting facepiece (filtering facepieces usually known as disposable masks, half and full face masks) the initial selection should include fit testing to ensure the wearer has the correct device. The test will assess the fit by determining the degree of face seal leakage of a test agent while the RPE user is wearing the facepiece under test…..”

This little read and little understood paragraph means that Quantitative face fit testing is required even for disposable masks. (That is why the Portacount can be fitted with an adaptor to allow it to test disposables

Rodger Ker

DAZ's comment is perfectly correct, the latest HSG53 (2013), does indicate that, and that is possibly what the HSE now want.

However the position remains that paragraph 150 of the L5 ACoP (fifth edition) states what it states.

May I remind you that page two of this ACoP (and other ACoP's) states: "--the Code has a special legal status. If you are prosecuted for breach of health and safety law, and it is proved that you did not follow the relevant provisions of the Code, you will need to show that you have complied with the law in some other way or the court will find you at fault".

I would suggest that a statement in an ACoP is a "higher Authority" than information produced in a Guidance.

More importantly, Quantitative fit testing is not that expensive and the results are verifiable, which others are not.

Anyone can get something cheap, that is easy, but to get cost effective and value for money results sometimes requires effort.

Also do not forget that face fitting should not be a "stand alone" activity. The guidance states quite clearly that it should be part of RPE training.

Rodger Ker

To answer the OP:

http://www.hsl.gov.uk/he...-qualitative-fit-testing
http://www.hsl.gov.uk/he...-course-in-quantitative-(portacount)-and-qualitative-fit-testing

Then to carry on the debate and give my 5c.

Whilst the HSE run acrceddited fit2fit training courses in both qualitative and quantitative fit testing, for the purposes of identifying the correct selection and suitability of the RPE you are using (and how it would perform in the field) - I would recommend quantitative fit test for both "fancy and non-fancy" types of RPE.

Des

Roughly? Around £4000, or £500 to hire one for a week or two