Clarification on the Purpose of Posting Standard Test Protocols

Letter to All Respirator Manufacturers

Issue Date: June 14, 2007

From: Heinz W. Ahlers, Chief, Technical Evaluation Branch, National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory

Subject: Clarification on the Purpose of Posting Standard Test Protocols

I would like to clarify the purpose of posting the Standard Test Protocols on the CDC/NIOSH/NPPTL website. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/stps/Respirator_Testing.html

The STPs listed are the protocols currently catalogued by NPPTL. These protocols are in some cases dated as a result of various policy interpretations and NPPTL is actively involved in updating these protocols to incorporate any changes that have been made in the years since these the protocols were first developed. We also intend to indicate where policy decisions contribute to the interpretation of the regulation. There was a presentation on the STP update project at the NPPTL manufacturers meeting on April 10th, 2007 and the slides from that presentation are available at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/resources/pressrel/letters/lttr-041007.html

As part of this update project the Technology Evaluation Branch is actively soliciting comments on the posted STPs, including but not limited to:

1. The procedure as written
2. Interpretation of the STP to the requirements of 42 CFR 84
3. Availability of equipment and hardware to perform the STP
4. Information on equivalent test methods
5. Comments on the new STP update protocol as discussed at the April 10, 2007 meeting and in the above presentation

The point of contact for comments is Karen Harvey, email to KHarvey@cdc.gov

Clarification on the Purpose of Posting Standard Test Protocols [PDF - 29 KB]