Face Fit Testing Service

• The performance of tight-fitting facepieces depends on achieving a good contact between the wearer’s skin and the face seal of the facepiece. People’s faces vary significantly in shape and size so it is unlikely that one particular model or size of RPE facepiece will fit everyone. Inadequate fit will significantly reduce the protection provided to the wearer. Any reduction in protection may lead to immediate or long-term ill health or can even put the RPE wearer’s life in danger.
• Fit testing is therefore a method for checking that a specific model and size of tight-fitting facepiece matches the wearers facial features and seals adequately to the wearers face. It will also help to identify unsuitable facepieces which should not be used.
• Fit testing should be conducted by a competent person. Competence can be demonstrated by accreditation under the Fit2Fit RPE Fit Tester Providers Accreditation Scheme. This scheme has been developed by the BSIF, together with industry stakeholders, and is supported by the HSE. Thermac’s face fit testing engineers are fully experienced and accredited under the Fit2Fit scheme.
• To ensure that the selected RPE has the potential to provide adequate protection for individual wearers, the Approved Codes of practice (ACOPs) supporting the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) the Control of Lead at Work Regulations, the Control of Asbestos Regulations, the Confined Space Regulations and Ionising Radiation Regulations stipulate that tight-fitting RPE should be fit tested as part of the selection process.
• The HSE regulations and ACOPS further require that RPE is regularly inspected and maintained by a competent person. 
• Thermac’s service engineers have a wealth of experience and training which they can pass on to anyone required to carry out this inspection and general maintenance. The training is in the form of a practical session indicating the main areas to look out for in general wear and tear on respirators to ensure that they keep to the required level of day to day performance. 
• We then issue a certificate, valid for two years, which is a record of attendance at the session. It is recommended that Full face respirators should also be serviced at 6 monthly intervals.

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Thermac are specialists in the Supply, Servicing, Integrity Testing and Face Fit testing of RPE.

Thermac are fit2fit accredited and provide fitting on Disposable, Half face, Full face and Breathing Airline (BA) Masks, either at our premises, at your premises, or any sites you are working on. 

We also provide mask integrity testing, face fit training, mask maintenance training, and training for general use of RPE.

Recent research suggested that 50% of RPE does not deliver the protection assumed. Providing total protection is not just a duty, it is a legal requirement.

Where respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is used as a control measure under health and safety legislation, it is vital that the selected RPE is both adequate and suitable. General advice on selection of RPE is covered in the HSE document Respiratory Protective Equipment at Work: A practical guide (HSG53).

• Thermac’s comprehensive testing service ensures that your masks retain their integrity and safety. We’ll even take care of your face-fit database, ensuring you remain compliant and providing you with total peace of mind.
• Thermac have recently developed the UK’s first truly self-contained mobile face fitting and respirator testing vehicles in the UK and Ireland. This concept was developed in conjunction with our customer’s feedback that if we could come to them at their premises or sites and complete face fitting and mask testing, this would reduce their downtime on sites with currently having to lose employees for a day to complete this.
• Using a TSI Portacount machine, Thermac provide quantitative testing on Disposable, Half face, Full face and BA respirators following HSE guidelines. At the start of the test, our experienced engineers will check that the mask is being worn properly and offer advice where needed. 
• A full range of Full-face, Disposable, and Half-face masks are available for testing purposes and can be purchased on the day. The Mask Fit Testing service is available either at our fully equipped workshops or at any other specified location. 
• Operatives are provided with a paper copy certificate once testing is completed and an electronic copy is also sent for your records. 

Enquire about your Face Fit Mask Test