Fit Testing Services

  • Respirator fit-testing is offered as a walk-in service at both of our clinics Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm; no appointment necessary!

  • Our clinic locations in Vancouver & Longview, Washington, offer qualitative and quantitative respirator fit-testing services for both half and full-face respirators.

  • The cost for a Qualitative/Quantitative Fit Test is $50.

  • The cost for a 1-year Respirator Certification is $30.

  • The cost for a 2-year Respirator Certification is $35.

  • Our services ensure that employees who are required to wear tight-fitting respirators in the workplace are properly fitted.

  • Please bring the respirator your employer would like you to be fit-tested with.

  • During our qualitative testing, we use a solution called Bitrex. Although unpleasant, it is non-toxic and safe for pregnant women.

  • Looking for onsite fit-testing services at your location? We are happy to provide a quote for our mobile services. Please use our Inquiry Form and we will get back to you as soon as possible!

What is Respirator Fit Testing?

Respirator fit testing is a standardized evaluation used to check that a respirator or face mask provides an airtight seal around the wearer's face.

This seal is essential in preventing the inhalation of harmful airborne particles, such as dust, fumes, chemicals, or infectious agents.

Why is Fit Testing Necessary?

  1. Protection: Respirators are often used in environments with hazardous airborne contaminants. Ensuring a proper fit is vital to protect workers from inhaling these potentially harmful substances.

  2. Compliance: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other regulatory bodies require annual fit testing to ensure compliance with safety standards and reduce the risk of workplace-related illnesses.

  3. Health and Safety: Properly fitted respirators help maintain the overall health and well-being of workers. Ill-fitting masks can lead to discomfort, reduced efficiency, and, in the worst cases, exposure to dangerous substances.

  4. Preventing Outbreaks: In healthcare settings, where you may be directly involved, ensuring healthcare workers have well-fitted respirators is crucial to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis or airborne viruses.

  5. Cost-Effective: Fit testing reduces the likelihood of employees using ill-fitting respirators, saving costs associated with healthcare, sick leave, and compensation claims.

Fit Test FAQs

  • Please bring the respirator your employer would like you to be fit-tested with.

  • Up to three attempts are included in the price of a fit test. We can try multiple styles of respirators - every face shape is different.

  • Yes! This is very important. Facial hair must fit within the seal of the respirator for accurate test results. There are acceptable facial hair styles per NIOSH - they can be found here

  • Our respirator fit tests are good for one year. If you have any health changes, weight loss or gain, or facial changes, you may need a retest sooner.

Qualitative Respirator Fit Testing:

Our qualitative respirator fit testing method uses a non-invasive and cost-effective approach to test the seal of a respirator. This method relies on the individual's sense of taste or smell to detect any leakage around the respirator. Our certified technicians conduct a series of exercises to verify that the respirator is properly fitted and that there is no leakage.

Quantitative Respirator Fit Testing:

Our quantitative respirator fit testing method uses a more advanced technology to measure the actual amount of leakage that occurs around the respirator. This method is more precise than the qualitative method and provides a numerical value to determine the fit factor of the respirator. Our certified technicians use a specialized machine to perform this test.