Respiratory Protection

ICS Laboratories is a leading source for accredited third-party conformity assessment of respiratory protective equipment. ICS tests respirators, filters, cartridges and their many associated devices and accessories to a wide range of US (NIOSH), European (EN) and Australian (AS/NZS) standards. Our capabilities are extensive and range from disposable half-mask filtering face piece respirators to specialized equipment designed to protect against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear respiratory hazards (CBRN).   Our technical resources facilitate the assessment of all categories and classes of RPE, including custom-designed chambers and laboratory spaces used to carry out standardized fit-tests and simulative use tests, such as those protocols detailed in ASTM F3407 and 29 CFR Part 1910.134 Annex A (OSHA qualitative and quantitative fit test protocols).

ICS Laboratories’ scope of accreditation offers the most extensive coverage of respirator test protocols published by the CDC of any independent conformity assessment body. ICS is accredited to perform over 75 NIOSH standard test procedures, spanning the complete range of respiratory protective devices (FFP/N95, APR, PAPR, SAR, SCBA and SCSR).  Our test reports are accepted by NIOSH as pre-submittal performance data. Pre-submittal test results are required by NIOSH as part of their approval process for respiratory PPE intended to be marketed, sold, or distributed in the US for occupational use.

In addition to supporting the conformity assessment requirements of occupational respiratory protective equipment, ICS’s specialty in this area extends to products that are increasingly identified as essential for basic global health and safety as disease prevention measures.  ICS Laboratories has offered testing for a variety of protective devices relevant to the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, including NIOSH N-95 type pre-approval testing, CE certification for EN149 compliant FFPs, conformity testing for ASTM F3502 Standard Specification for Barrier Face Coverings and a variety of QC, batch clearance and custom tests based on the testing disciplines in the prevailing standard methods.

ICS Labs’ expertise in this area offers its clients endorsed test reports containing reliable data and results for globally relevant standard test method and performance requirements for respiratory protection.

To learn more about Face Mask & Half-Mask Respirator Testing with ICS Labs, including our ASTM F3502 Independently Tested Product Mark, click here.