---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 C.F.R. § 84.253"
title: "42"
number: "84.253"
heading: "Chemical-cartridge respirators; requirements and tests."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/42/84.253"
---

# §84.253. Chemical-cartridge respirators; requirements and tests.

- (a) Except for the tests prescribed in §§ [84.206](/cfr/42/84.206.md) and [84.207](/cfr/42/84.207.md), the minimum requirements and performance tests for chemical-cartridge respirators prescribed in [Subpart L](/cfr/42/subpartL.md) of this part are applicable to replaceable-cartridge and single-use vinyl chloride chemical-cartridge respirators.
- (b) The following bench tests are applicable to cartridges designed for use with chemical-cartridge respirators for entry into and escape from vinyl chloride atmospheres containing adequate oxygen to support life:
  - (1) Where two cartridges are used in parallel on a chemical-cartridge respirator, the bench test requirements will apply to the combination rather than the individual cartridges.
  - (2) Four cartridges or pairs of cartridges will be equilibrated at 25 ±5 °C by passing 85 ±5 percent relative humidity air through them at 25 liters per minute for six hours.
  - (3) The equilibrated cartridges will be resealed, kept in an upright position, at room temperature, and tested according to paragraphs [(b)(4)](#b-4) and [(b)(5)](#b-5) of this section for other than single-use respirators or according to paragraphs [(b)(6)](#b-6) and [(b)(7)](#b-7) of this section for single-use respirators within 18 hours.
  - (4) The cartridges or pairs of cartridges for other than single-use respirators, equilibrated and stored as described in paragraphs [(b)(1)](#b-1), [(b)(2)](#b-2), and [(b)(3)](#b-3) of this section, will be tested on an apparatus that allows the test atmosphere at 85 ±5 percent relative humidity and 25 ±5 °C, to enter the cartridges or pairs of cartridges continuously at a concentration of 10 ppm vinyl chloride monomer at a total flowrate of 64 liters per minute.
  - (5) The maximum allowable penetration after 90 minutes testing of cartridges or pairs of cartridges for other than single-use respirators, according to [paragraph (b)(4)](#b-4) of this section shall not exceed 1 ppm vinyl chloride.
  - (6) The single-use respirators, equilibrated and stored as described in paragraphs [(b)(2)](#b-2) and [(b)(3)](#b-3) of this section, will be tested on an apparatus that allows a test atmosphere at 85 ±5 percent relative humidity and 25 ±5 °C to be cycled through the respirator by a breathing machine at a concentration of 10 ppm vinyl chloride monomer at the rate of 24 respirations per minute at a minute volume of 40 ±0.6 liters. Air exhaled through the respirator will be 35 ±2 °C with 94 ±3 percent relative humidity.
  - (7) The maximum allowable penetration after 144 minutes testing of respirators, according to [paragraph (b)(6)](#b-6) of this section, shall not exceed 1 ppm vinyl chloride.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.; 30 U.S.C. 3, 5, 7, 811, 842(h), 844.

### Source

Source: 60 FR 30355, June 8, 1995, unless otherwise noted.