Face Fit Testing (Qualitative) in Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire

Check Your Respirator Seals Properly Before You Rely on It

Overview

A tight-fitting respirator only protects the wearer if it seals against their face. Qualitative face fit testing checks that seal for a specific make, model and size of mask on a specific person. Each test takes around 15 to 20 minutes including paperwork, and the price shown is per mask tested.

Who should attend?

Anyone who wears tight-fitting respiratory protective equipment (RPE) at work, such as disposable FFP masks or half masks, including people exposed to dust, fumes, vapours and other airborne hazards in construction, manufacturing, painting and woodworking. Employers who need to show their RPE is suitable for each wearer will also benefit. No previous training is needed.

What the Test Covers

• A sensitivity test to confirm you can detect the test agent
• The fit test itself, carried out while you perform a set series of exercises
• Fit test protocols and pass levels
• What happens after a failed test and how re-tests work
• Problem solving, including adjusting the fit or trying another model
• Checking fit and seal, and wearing the mask correctly

How You Pass

The test is passed if the test agent cannot be detected inside the mask at any point during the exercises.

Duration

Around 15 to 20 minutes per person, within a half-day testing session

Certification

Fit test record confirming a successful test and the suitability of the mask tested

Before Your Test

• Bring the mask you use at work, as masks are not supplied
• Be clean shaven in the area where the mask seals
• Do not smoke, vape, eat or drink anything other than water for at least 30 minutes beforehand
• Bring any equipment worn with the mask that could affect its fit, such as goggles or a hard hat

Delivery Method

Testing takes place in person at 27 Campus Five, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, SG6 2JF, with Safety For Business, a Hertfordshire health and safety consultancy and CITB Approved Training Organisation. Letchworth sits just off junction 9 of the A1(M), close to Hitchin, Baldock and Stevenage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be tested with a beard or stubble?
No. Facial hair under the seal prevents a reliable fit, so you need to be clean shaven on the day.

What if my mask fails?
The tester will help you adjust the fit or suggest trying a different model, and a re-test is normally included.

Do I need a separate test for each mask?
Yes. Each make, model and size of tight-fitting mask you wear needs its own test.

Related Content

• Face Fit Testing courses
• Asbestos Awareness courses
• All courses in Hertfordshire
• Construction & Engineering courses
• Health, Safety & Care courses

On successful completion, your certificate is issued by the awarding body or the training provider.

CITB courses: SMSTS, SSSTS and Health and Safety Awareness certificates are issued by CITB and are valid for five years. Complete the matching refresher course before your certificate expires to renew it for another five years. If it lapses, you'll need to retake the full course.

First aid: First Aid at Work and Emergency First Aid at Work certificates are valid for three years. Requalify before they expire to keep your cover in place.

Other courses: fire marshal, manual handling, asbestos awareness, abrasive wheels and ladder courses lead to a certificate of completion. Face fit testing provides a fit test record for each mask tested.

You will instantly receive a confirmation email with your order details and your course joining instructions will follow within one business working day.

Please note that course bookings can not be processed outside of normal working hours, over weekends or on bank holidays and will be processed the next business working day.

Safety For Business (UK) Ltd is an independent health and safety consultancy and CITB Approved Training Organisation based at Campus Five in Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire. From its own training centre it runs the CITB Site Safety Plus range – Health and Safety Awareness, SSSTS, SMSTS and their refreshers – every month, alongside First Aid at Work, Emergency First Aid at Work, fire marshal training, half-day courses in manual handling, asbestos awareness, abrasive wheels and ladder safety, and qualitative face fit testing.

Envico is an independent intermediary working in association with Safety For Business. Envico is not accredited by or associated with examination bodies or institutions in any way. All courses advertised on this website are advertised and delivered by independent and established accredited or approved training providers.