Adopt the Latest CNC Protocols

The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (Cal/OSHA) has introduced new quantitative fit testing protocols for respiratory protection, designed to streamline testing while maintaining safety.. The changes affect the Ambient Aerosol Condensation Nuclei Counter (CNC) Quantitative Fit Test (QNFT) Protocols in Appendix A of Section 5144 of the Respiratory Protection Standard. 

These changes took effect March 21, 2024 and include new modified rules for the following respirators:

1. Full-facepiece and half-mask elastomeric respirators
2. Filtering facepiece respirators

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Federal OSHA’s Basis for the New Fit Testing Protocols

The new protocols are based from the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Federal OSHA) promulgated regulations addressing additional Ambient Aerosol Condenstaion Nuclei Counter (CNC) Quantititave Fit Testing protocols effective on September 26, 2019, as found in 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 1910.134, Appendix A. It was based on three studies, published in a peer-reviewed journal, demonstrating the equivalency to the original Ambient Aerosol CNC QNFT protocol.

In their final rule document, the agency said that the new protocols “will maintain safety and health protections for workers while providing additional flexibility and reducing compliance burdens.”

_{PortaCount Fast Fit Protocol -2 from TSI Inc. on Vimeo}

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How the Respiratory Protection Standard Changed

Fit testing is now faster and more efficient under the new CNC protocols. With only four exercises instead of eight, total fit test time is cut from 7:15 minutes to just 2:29—without sacrificing safety.

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How to Make Respirator Fit Testing 65% Faster

PortaCount™ Respirator Fit Testers using the modified CNC protocols are now nearly twice as fast as instruments using the controlled negative pressure (CNP) REDON protocol and 65% faster than the original CNC protocols.

_{PortaCount Fast Fit Protocol -2 from TSI Inc. on Vimeo}

Whether you fit test medical teams, industrial workers, or first responders, your fit test program will benefit.

• Rigorous, automated, and quantitative fit testing across all respirator types
• Dramatically increase the number of people you can fit test in a set time
• No compromises on safety and health

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Upgrade for Faster, Compliant Fit Testing

The new protocols, like the original OSHA standards, are fully compatible with most PortaCount™ Respirator Fit Testers. PortaCount ensures fit tests are objective, precise, and consistent for every user, making compliance faster without compromising safety.

Time to Upgrade: To take full advantage of the Modified CNC protocols, make sure your PortaCount™ Respirator Fit Testers are up to date:

• Models 8030, 8038, 8040, and 8048: These devices can run the new protocols with a simple software or firmware upgrade. Get the latest updates here.
• Models 8020 and 8028: These models are not compatible with the new CNC protocols. Now is the perfect time to upgrade to a faster, more efficient fit testing system.

Upgrading helps ensure you stay compliant and benefit from quicker, more streamlined testing.

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Ready to comply with the new protocols?

Discover how PortaCount™ Respirator Fit Testers can accelerate your fit testing while helping ensure safety.