Quantitative Face Fit Testing

Course duration

One day

Course details

Ensure Compliance. Protect Your Workforce. Train with Confidence.

Our Quantitative Face Fit Testing Training course provides essential knowledge and hands-on skills for conducting accurate and compliant fit testing of tight-fitting Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) using a PortaCount machine. This Fit2Fit approved course ensures that testers are trained to recognised national standards, aligning with HSE guidance (INDG479) and COSHH regulations.

Whether you’re in construction, utilities, healthcare, or any sector where airborne hazards exist, ensuring your team’s RPE fits properly is not only a legal requirement, it’s a life-saving measure.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

Health & Safety Managers responsible for workforce protection
Occupational Health Professionals
Site Supervisors and Foremen
Compliance Officers
Individuals assigned as internal Face Fit Testers
Organisations seeking to carry out RPE testing in-house

No prior experience is required, but a basic understanding of workplace respiratory protection is helpful.7

Course Objectives

By the end of this training, you will be able to:

Understand the legal requirements for RPE fit testing in the UK
Explain the differences between quantitative and qualitative fit testing
Use and maintain a TSI PortaCount™ fit testing device
Identify common fit test failures and take corrective action
Conduct and document compliant fit tests for tight-fitting respirators
Provide competent advice on RPE selection and use

What’s Covered in the Training?

Introduction to Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)
Hazards requiring RPE and the importance of correct fit
Overview of Fit2Fit accreditation and HSE requirements
Fit testing methods: Quantitative vs. Qualitative
Understanding and setting up the PortaCount device
Calibration, hygiene and daily checks
Performing a successful Quantitative Fit Test step-by-step
Troubleshooting failed fit tests
Record-keeping and fit test documentation requirements
Final practical assessment and feedback

Assessment & Certification

Delegates will complete a practical face fit test assessment using the PortaCount machine. Feedback will be provided on technique, compliance, and data interpretation.

Successful candidates receive:

Fit2Fit Recognised Certificate of Competence
Certificate valid for 3 years
Option to progress to Fit2Fit Accreditation (if desired)

Prerequisites

Delegates must be clean shaven and not eaten or smoked for a minimum of 30 minutes prior to being face tested.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is quantitative face fit testing?
Quantitative face fit testing is a method of testing how well a tight-fitting respirator seals against the face using a machine called a PortaCount™. It measures the amount of leakage into the respirator and provides a numerical fit factor to determine if the mask fits correctly.

Q: Is this training course Fit2Fit approved?
Yes, our Quantitative Face Fit Testing training is delivered by Fit2Fit-accredited instructors and follows the guidance outlined by the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) and HSE INDG479.

Q: Do I need prior experience to attend this course?
No prior face fit testing experience is necessary. This course is suitable for both beginners and those who want to refresh their knowledge or start testing in-house.

Q: What equipment is used in the training?
Delegates are trained on the TSI PortaCount™ Respirator Fit Tester, which is the most commonly used quantitative fit testing device in the UK. All equipment is provided during training.

Q: Can this training be delivered at our premises?
Yes, we offer on-site training across the UK for groups. We can bring all necessary equipment and tailor the training to your organisation’s RPE requirements.

Q: What’s the difference between quantitative and qualitative fit testing?

Quantitative testing uses a PortaCount machine to measure particle leakage and provides objective numerical data.
Qualitative testing relies on the wearer’s ability to taste or smell a test agent and is suitable only for certain types of masks.

Q: Is this training course suitable for Fit2Fit accreditation?
Yes, this course provides the foundation for those who wish to pursue full Fit2Fit accreditation for quantitative testing, though additional requirements apply for the accreditation process.