When it comes to personal protective equipment (PPE), proper fit is essential to ensure your safety. A respirator that doesn’t fit correctly won’t protect you from hazardous substances, putting your health at risk. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to properly don and fit check both half-mask and full-face dual cartridge reusable respirators.
Follow these steps to ensure your respirator is working effectively every time you wear it.
Step 1: Donning a Half Mask or Full Face Dual Cartridge Respirator
To get started, it’s important to put on your respirator correctly. Here’s how to don your half mask or full face reusable respirator with dual cartridges:
- Position the respirator: Hold the respirator under your chin, with the nosepiece facing up and the straps positioned outside of the mask. Make sure the straps are not in between the respirator and your face.
- Place the top strap: Bring the respirator’s face piece up to your face and place the top strap over the back of your head, just above your ears.
- Secure the bottom straps: After positioning the top strap, let go of the face piece and use both hands to attach the bottom straps behind your neck.
- Adjust for comfort: Adjust the respirator’s face piece and straps for a snug but comfortable fit. To tighten the straps, simply pull on the ends. If the straps feel too tight, push on the buckle tab to loosen them.
With these steps, you’ve now successfully donned your dual cartridge respirator. But donning the respirator is only half the battle—you also need to perform a fit check to ensure proper protection.
Step 2: Fit Checking a Dual Cartridge Respirator
Performing a fit check is essential every time you put on your respirator. Without a proper fit, contaminants can leak in around the edges of the face piece, compromising the effectiveness of the respirator. There are two fit checks you should perform: positive pressure and negative pressure.
Positive Pressure Fit Check
- Block the exhalation valve: Place the palm of your hand over the respirator’s exhalation valve to block it.
- Exhale gently: While holding your hand on the valve, exhale gently and hold for about 10 seconds.
- Check for face piece bulging: Observe if the face piece slightly bulges outward.
- Verify no leaks: If the face piece stays bulged and you don’t feel any air leaking around the edges, the respirator fits properly. If there are leaks, readjust the straps and try again until a proper seal is achieved.
Negative Pressure Fit Check
- Block the filters: Place your palms over the respirator’s filters to block them.
- Inhale gently: Inhale gently and hold for about 10 seconds.
- Check for face piece collapse: The face piece should collapse slightly as you inhale.
- Verify no leaks: If the face piece stays collapsed and there are no air leaks, your respirator fits correctly. If leaks are detected, readjust the straps and check again for a proper fit.
It’s important to note that every respirator model may have its own specific instructions for fit testing, so always check your owner's manual for additional guidance.
Why Proper Fit is Essential
A properly fitting respirator is crucial for your safety. If a respirator does not fit correctly, contaminants can bypass the filter system and enter through gaps between the mask and your face. This can expose you to hazardous substances that the respirator is supposed to protect against.
By donning your respirator correctly and performing both positive and negative pressure fit checks, you can ensure that your respirator is functioning as intended and providing you with the best possible protection.
Shop Dual Cartridge Respirators at Gemplers
For reliable dual cartridge respirators and accessories, visit Gemplers’ reusable respirator collection. We offer a wide selection of respirators, cartridges, and respirator accessories to help you stay safe on the job. If you have any questions about which respirator is right for you or need assistance with fit checking, feel free to contact Gemplers Customer Service at (800) 382-8473.
