Alamo City Health & Safety’s goal is to save you, the employer, time and money by offering your company flexible scheduling of Qualitative Respirator Fit Testing (QLFT), Quantitative Respirator FIT Testing (QNFT), Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT), Basic Heart and Lung Evaluation as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) mandatory Medical Evaluation Questionnaire (MEQ).
Qualitative Fit Test (QLFT) of N95 masks is a pass/fail test that relies on the sense of taste and smell of the person being tested. The agents used for testing N95 masks are either Saccharin (sweet tasting agent) or Bitrex (bitter tasting agent). Smoke is not utilized in the testing of N95 Masks. If the person being FIT tested cannot detect either Saccharin or Bitrex, he/she will need to have an N95 Quantitative Fit Test (QNFT). Alamo City Health & Safety is currently the only testing facility in the San Antonio area which offers Quantitative Fit Testing (QNFT) for N95 masks. Call (210) 366-4357 for an appointment.
The person being FIT Tested must know the type of N95 mask required by the employer in order to be tested with that same style.
Following are just a few examples of N95 masks which are described as either Duckbill or Non-Duckbill styles:
- (Duckbill Style) Kimberly-Clark Respirator #53358, Aero N95 Surgical Respirator #AP0028
- (Non-Duckbill Style) 3M N95 #8210
Qualitative Fit Testing (QLFT) of non-disposable half-face masks can be tested by utilizing either Saccharin (sweet tasting agent), Bitrex (bitter tasting agent) or Smoke (when detected, causes coughing).
There are four parts to performing a Qualitative Fit Test (QLFT).
- Proper mask selection, as determined by the employer, proper donning of the mask and performing a proper seal check.
- Determining if the person being tested can detect the Saccharin (sweet tasting agent) or Bitrex (bitter tasting agent).
- FIT Testing Protocols and Parameters as set forth by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
- Alamo City Health & Safety will provide all examinees who pass the FIT Testing with a personalized plastic, wallet-sized photo ID card (valid for one year) listing the make, model and size of the respirator tested as well as providing the examinee with paper and electronic documentation.
A Quantitative Fit Test (QNFT) measures the precise amount of leakage into any tight-fitting personal protective respiratory equipment. Instead of relying on taste or smell, the test is performed by a device called a PortaCount which measures the particles in the ambient air versus the particles in the mask. Alamo City Health & Safety currently tests 3M-type masks, Honeywell North masks and as previously stated N95 masks. Alamo City Health & Safety does have available the following masks for testing purposes (Note: the person being tested should have available his/her mask used at work).
- Half Face Mask 3M #7501, #7502 and #7503 in sizes small, medium and large
- Full Face Mask 3M #6700, #6800, and #6900 in sizes small, medium and large
Quantitative Fit Test (QNFT) of N95 masks: If the person being FIT tested cannot detect either Saccharin or Bitrex, he/she will need to have an N95 Quantitative Fit Test (QNFT). Alamo City Health & Safety is currently the only testing facility in the San Antonio area which offers Quantitative Fit Testing (QNFT) for N95 masks.
Alamo City Health & Safety does have available the following masks for testing purposes (Note: the person being tested should have available his/her mask used at work).
- 3M: 8210 TC No. 84A-0007
- AeroPro: AP0028 TC No. 84A-4175
- Honeywell H910 Plus TC No. 84A-8480
- KimTech: 53358 TC No. 84A-9042
There are four parts to performing a proper Quantitative Fit Test (QNFT).
- Proper mask (as determined by the employer) proper donning of the mask and performing a proper seal check.
- Utilizing the PortaCount to render the particle values.
- Fit Testing protocol and parameters as set forth by OSHA.
- Alamo City Health & Safety will provide all examinees who pass the FIT Testing with a personalized plastic, wallet-sized photo ID card (valid for one year) listing the make, model and size of the respirator tested as well as providing the examinee with paper and electronic documentation.
If you need a quantitative test you may bring your mask but only if is a 3M type mask or Honeywell North. We do have masks available they are Half Face 3M 7501, 7502, and 7503 (small, medium, and large) and Full Face 3M 6700, 6800, and 6900 (small, medium, and large). Just remember that the mask that you are fit tested for is the only mask you will be certified to use.
Quantitative Fit SCBA $100 This does not include the mandatory Medical Evaluation Questionnaire $25*
N95 Qualitative Fit Test $65 This does not include the mandatory Medical Evaluation Questionnaire $25*
*All quoted prices reflect in-office services. Alamo City Health & Safety is pleased to bring our services to your workplace! All workplace visits require a site visit prior to the date of service. By conducting a site visit we'll be able to ensure that we may properly provide your team with the required occupational medicine services they require. A pre-service site visit will save you time and money! For more information, please contact: [email protected].
Time required: approximately 30 minutes
Call (210)366-4357 to schedule your appointment.
Pulmonary Function Testing $85
Basic Heart & Lung Medical Evaluation $50
Equipment for Fit Testing: We stock the equipment to perform qualitative and quantitative fit testing. Alamo City Health & Safety stocks the 3M half-face 7501, 7502, and 7503 as well as the 3M Full Face 6700, 6800, and 6900. We have the Quantitative FIT test adapters for 3M and Honeywell North masks.
Alamo City Health & Safety is your one-stop for these services!
