Test for Aerosol Penetration

DOE-STD-1167-2003

These indicators should be calibrated according to National Institute of

Science and Technology (NIST) specifications.

12.0

Test for Aerosol Penetration

12.1

Requirements and Test Equipment

12.1.1 In a test carried out to determine the level of respiratory protection provided

by the supplied-air suit, a suit tester should wear the suit, which is connected

to a source of air, in an atmosphere containing a non-toxic test agent. The

penetration of the test agent into the helmet of the supplied-air suit should be

measured as the suit tester carries out various exercises. In tests carried out to

determine the level of respiratory protection of the supplied-air suit, each of

the three test subjects should wear the supplied-air suit.

12.1.2 The test atmosphere to be used to determine the level of respiratory

protection provided by the supplied-air suit should be a polydisperse aerosol.

The aerosol particle size and concentration should be measured before and

after each series of tests, by appropriate methods and recorded.

12.1.3 Appropriate monitoring equipment and accessories should be used to detect

the aerosol particles in the test atmosphere and inside the helmet of the

supplied-air suit. A suitable recorder should be used to record penetration

measurements.

12.1.4 A chamber containing the test atmosphere should be used to carry out tests to

determine the level of respiratory protection provided by the supplied-air suit.

The chamber should be of suitable size to permit a suit tester wearing the

supplied-air suit to carry out freely the various prescribed exercises.

12.1.5 A probe, located inside the chamber and connected by means of tubing to the

aerosol detection equipment device, should be used to sample the test

atmosphere. A probe located inside the helmet of the supplied-air suit should

be used to sample the air from the suit tester's breathing zone. The helmet

probe may be inserted through the supplied-air suit's helmet or be passed

through openings inherent to the supplied-air suit's design (i.e., two-piece

supplied-air suit).

12.1.6 The rate of flow of sample air from the chamber and from inside the helmet

of the supplied-air suit should be within the range specified by the

penetrometer's manufacturer and ideally be selected to determine the

maximum protection factor feasible.

12.1.7 The maximum length of breathing air hose, provided with the supplied-air

suit, should be used in carrying out the tests to determine the level of

protection provided by the supplied-air suit. A suit tester upon entering the

test chamber should connect the breathing air hose to a fitting located inside

the chamber that is connected to a source of air. An airflow control valve and

a calibrated airflow-measuring instrument should be used to control the flow

of air to the supplied-air suit worn by the test subject inside the chamber and

to measure the rate of flow of this air.