NPPTL Participation in Standard Development Committees

NPPTL is leveraging the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Technical Committee on Tactical and Technical Operations Respiratory Protection Equipment (FAE-TTO) to develop the new NFPA 1987 Standard on Combination Unit Respirator (CUR) Systems for Tactical and Technical Operations. NPPTL personnel are active on this technical committee, leading and participating in task groups, and providing technical expertise in developing CUR performance criteria and testing methods.

NFPA 1987 is in the early developmental stages prior to beginning full public review and initial revision cycle. Meeting agendas, minutes, and other information can be viewed and downloaded from the NFPA 1987 Document Page. Once the NFPA 1987 standard is completed, it will be endorsed and adopted by NIOSH in lieu of a federal CUR standard.

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards are consensus-based standards developed by global expert opinion and input. NPPTL participates in multiple working and project groups in support of ISO PPE standards. Since 2002, NPPTL has been contributing to the activities of ISO Technical Committee 94 Personal Safety – Protective Clothing and Equipment – Subcommittee 15 – Respiratory Protective Devices (ISO TC94/SC15). The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) represents the U.S. as the official ISO member body and is responsible for providing the U.S. position to ISO. NPPTL also administers the ANSI-accredited U.S. Technical Advisory Group (USTAG) to ISO TC94/SC15.

The ISO respiratory protective device (RPD) test methods and related performance standards can be considered for potential updates and revisions to NIOSH respirator approval requirements in 42 CFR Part 84 and in the consideration of potential research projects.

ISO TC94/SC15 has developed:

• Fourteen international RPD test method standards – Inward Leakage, Breathing Resistance, Particle and Gas Filter Efficiency, RPD Headforms and Testing Tools and Equipment, Mechanical Strength, Practical Performance, Interactive Flow Rate, Carbon Dioxide, Flame and Heat, Field of Vision, Work of Breathing, Mining Escape RPD, Noise Level;
• Eight technical specifications relating to the human factors of RPD use;
• Four technical specifications – RPD Marking and Information, Classification, Selection, Use and Maintenance
• Three international standards – RPD Terms and Definitions, RPD Standardized Connector, and RPD Fit-Testing (in the workplace);
• Ongoing development of performance standards for filtering RPD, supplied breathable gas RPD, special application chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) RPD, and special application radiological and nuclear (RN) RPD.

The ANSI/ASSE Z88 Respirator Package included all aspects of the Z88 nationally recognized respirator standards and guidance for training individuals to conduct respirator fit testing. In July 2017, the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) transferred the Z88 Respirator Package to ASTM International and incorporated into Committee F23 on Protective Clothing and Equipment. The Z88 standards are now the responsibility of the Subcommittee F23.65 on Respiratory. NPPTL staff members on Z88 are transitioning to ASTM F23.65 and will continue to provide leadership and technical expertise in the transition of Z88 respirator standards as ASTM F23 respirator standards.

Previous ANSI/ASSE Z88 Respirator Package

NIOSH ASTM F23 [PDF – 149 KB]

The purpose of this MOU is to facilitate the partnership between NIOSH NPPTL and the ASTM International’s Committee F23 on Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment. The MOU includes cooperation in development of test methods, product standards, practices, guides, classifications, and terminology related to worker and emergency responder protective clothing and equipment. This will be accomplished by NIOSH employee membership and participation on ASTM standards development committees.

This MOU is intended to define the general scope of the intended collaboration between the parties and does not create any rights or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or equity, against the United States, the signatory federal agencies, and ASTM International.

NIOSH NFPA PPE [PDF – 163 KB]

The purpose of this MOU is to facilitate the partnering, cooperation, and coordination of activities between NIOSH, NFPA, and the NFPA Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF). The primary focus will be emergency responder protective clothing and equipment (PPE) including PPE for response to all emergency incidents including fire, technical rescue, hazardous materials, emergency medical, special operations, and terrorism incidents involving chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) hazards, as well as the development of standards for emergency responder organizations and personnel concerning the safety, deployment, operations, and protection of emergency responders.

This MOU is intended to define the general scope of the intended collaboration between the parties and does not create any rights or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or equity, against the United States, the signatory federal agencies, the NFPA, or the FPRF.