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Attention, Emergency Responders: How To Determine If Your Air-Purifying
Respirator (APR) Is NIOSH Certified For CBRN Environments
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** Check the Labels**
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is
testing and certifying air-purifying respirators (APR) for use by emergency
responders in atmospheres that contain chemical, biological, radiological,
and nuclear (CBRN) respiratory hazards. This page provides information
for determining if a given APR is certified by NIOSH for use by emergency
responders in a potential CBRN situation. It also provides a list of
devices that have been certified by NIOSH for such use.
NIOSH Update 10/31/05: NIOSH Issues First Two Air-Purifying Escape Respirator Approvals Under Program for Certifying CBRN Respirators IMPORTANT NOTE:
In response to a CBRN exposure event, emergency first responders should
use NIOSH approved CBRN self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) respirators
when the types of inhalation hazards and their concentrations are unknown
or expected to be high. The CBRN APR full facepiece respirator provides
a lower level of protection than the SCBA and its use is generally allowed
once conditions are understood and exposures are determined to be at
lower levels.
The CBRN APR respirator should not be used in atmospheres
where hazard concentrations are immediately dangerous to life or health
(IDLH), or oxygen deficient (contain less than 19.5% oxygen). If unknown
or high levels of hazard are encountered due to a secondary hazard source
during normal use, the user should immediately leave the area. NIOSH
is currently drafting detailed user guidance for the CBRN APR.
How to Determine If A Given APR Has Been Tested And Certified By NIOSH
For Use By Emergency Responders In CBRN Environments
There are three types of labels, which are included with a CBRN APR
respirator, a full canister label located on the canister, a matrix-style
canister approval label, and a matrix-style respirator approval label.
The matrix-style approval labels are part of the users instructions
or included as an insert with the packaging. All three labels include
TC # and CBRN protection level in addition to other respirator/canister
information.
- Look to see if the full canister label is like the one shown in Figure
1. Canister labels will specify the CBRN protection level (CBRN Cap
1, CBRN Cap 2 or CBRN Cap 3).
Check the Canister Label!
Figure 1. Sample APR full canister approval label with
CBRN Cap 1 protection. This label is located on the canister. View
a full-size PDF version of this image.
- If an APR is CBRN-approved by NIOSH, the full canister label will
identify the CBRN protection level. If the full canister label does
not identify a CBRN protection level, the device is not approved by
NIOSH for use by emergency first responders in CBRN environments. The
full canister label will specify its part number and if the canister
has been approved for use for CBRN protection with an approved CBRN
APR facepiece. If the canister label does not specify CBRN protection,
it is not certified by NIOSH for use by emergency responders in CBRN
environments.
- Information on an approved configuration is provided through the NIOSH,
matrix-style approval labels found in the users instructions for the
respirator. See Figures 2-3. User instructions are provided with the
respirator by the manufacturer.

Figure 2. Sample matrix-style APR canister approval label
with CBRN Cap 1 protection. This label is part of the users instructions
or included in the packaging. View
a full-size PDF version of this image.
- The approval number for an APR approved for CBRN environments will
have a TC-14G prefix (TC-14G-XXXX) and can be found on all three labels.
- The user instructions manual must be used in conjunction with the
matrix-style label to define the approved configuration.
- The complete APR assembly and subassemblies must be composed only
of those component parts listed in the row with the CBRN approval number.
Part numbers that are found only in the rows of the non-CBRN approvals
must not be used as part of a CBRN APR assembly.

Figure 3. Sample matrix-style APR respirator approval
label with CBRN Cap 1 protection. This label is part of the users instructions
or included in the packaging. View
a full-size PDF version of this image.
NIOSH is providing manufacturers’ addresses for informational
purposes only. This information does not constitute a commercial endorsement
of the products. This information is accurate as of 2/27/2006, but additional
models may also be approved.
The devices certified by NIOSH for use by emergency responders in CBRN
environments are listed by manufacturer, NIOSH approval number, model,
protection, major components and subassemblies. Verify the approved configuration
with the user instructions and approval labels.
The following CBRN Air-Purifying Respirators (APR) are
approved by NIOSH:
3M Company |
Supplier/
Manufacturer |
NIOSH
Approval Number |
Model |
Notes |
3M Company |
TC-14G-0271 * |
3M FR-M40 Full Facepiece APR CBRN CAP 1 |
CBRN Cap 1—Capacity meets a minimum 15-minute test requirement. |
3M Company |
TC-14G-0271 * |
3M FR-7800B Full Facepiece APR CBRN CAP 1 |
CBRN Cap 1—Capacity meets a minimum 15-minute test requirement. |
* Note: Both
models share the same approval number. |
Product Information: http://www.3m.com/
3M Helps line at 1-888-3M HELPS (1-888-364-3577) |
Aearo Corporation |
Supplier/
Manufacturer |
NIOSH
Approval Number |
Model |
Notes |
Aearo Corporation |
TC-14G-0288 |
Peltor-AOSafety M-TAC |
CBRN Cap 1 APR approval |
Avon |
Supplier/
Manufacturer |
NIOSH
Approval Number |
Model |
Notes |
Avon |
TC-14G-0285 |
C50 |
CBRN Cap 1 APR approval |
Avon |
TC-14G-0275 |
Avon Polymer Products Ltd. CBRNFM12 Full
Facepiece APR CBRN Cap 1 |
CBRN Cap 1—Capacity meets a minimum
15-minute test requirement. |
Product Information:
http://www.avon-rubber.com/
Technical Support Hotline:
1-888-AVON-440 |
Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA |
Supplier/
Manufacturer |
NIOSH
Approval Number |
Model |
Notes |
Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA |
TC-14G-0286 |
CDR 4500 |
CBRN Cap 1 APR |
Product Information: http://www.draeger-safety.com
U.S. Phone: 1-800-858-1737 (customer service) and 1-800-922-5518
(sales) |
Mine Safety Appliances Company (MSA) |
Supplier/
Manufacturer |
NIOSH
Approval Number |
Model |
Notes |
Mine Safety Appliances Company (MSA) |
TC-14G-0270 * |
MSA Ultra Elite Full Facepiece with either a rubber head harness
or Kevlar Speed-On head harness Cap 1 |
CBRN Cap 1 - Capacity meets a minimum 15-minute test requirement. |
Mine Safety Appliances Company (MSA) |
TC-14G-0270 * |
MSA Millennium Full Facepiece APR CBRN Cap 1 |
CBRN Cap 1—Capacity meets a minimum
15-minute test requirement. |
Mine Safety Appliances Company (MSA) |
TC-14G-0296 * |
FireHawk M7 Responder APR CBRN |
CBRN Cap 1—Capacity meets a minimum
15-minute test requirement. |
* Note: Both models share the
same approval number. |
Product Information: http://www.msanet.com/
Technical Support Hotline 1-800-MSA-2222 |
North Safety |
Supplier/
Manufacturer |
NIOSH
Approval Number |
Model |
Notes |
North Safety |
TC-14G-0273 |
54501CBRN and 54501SCBRN |
This configuration consists of a full facepiece (p/n 54501 or 54501S), a canister (p/n 40CBRN), a User’s Instruction Manual (p/n 80754), anti-fog wipes (p/n 80944), a carry bag (p/n 54 BAG) and two poly-bags for facepiece and anti-fog storage. |
Product Information: http://www.northsafety.com/
Technical Support Hotline: 1-800-430-4110 |
Scott Health and Safety |
Supplier/
Manufacturer |
NIOSH
Approval Number |
Model |
Notes |
Scott Health and Safety |
TC-14G-0283* |
Scott CBRN/AV2000 CBRN Cap 1 CBRN |
CBRN Cap 1 - Capacity meets a minimum 15-minute test requirement. |
|
Scott Health and Safety |
TC-14G-0283* |
Scott CBRN/M120 APR CBRN Cap 1 CBRN |
CBRN Cap 1 - Capacity meets a minimum 15-minute test requirement. |
Scott Health and Safety |
TC-14G-0283* |
Scott CBRN/M110 APR CBRN Cap 1 CBRN |
CBRN Cap 1 - Capacity meets a minimum 15-minute test requirement. |
|
* Note: All models share the
same approval number. |
Product Information: http://www.scotthealthsafety.com
Technical Support Hotline 1-800-247-7257 |
Safety Equipment Australia Pty, Ltd (SEA) |
Supplier/
Manufacturer |
NIOSH
Approval Number |
Model |
Notes |
Safety Equipment Australia Pty, Ltd |
TC-14G-0299 |
CBRN Full Facepiece Respirator, FP-C |
CBRN Cap 1 - Capacity meets a minimum 15-minute test requirement. |
Product Information: http://www.theseagroup.com
Technical Support Hotline 888-732-3500 |
Survivair |
Supplier/
Manufacturer |
NIOSH
Approval Number |
Model |
Notes |
Survivair |
TC-14G-0272 |
Survivair Opti-Fit Full Facepiece APR CBRN
Cap 1 CBRN |
CBRN Cap 1 – Capacity meets a minimum
15-minute test requirement. |
Product Information: http://www.survivair.com
Technical
Support at 1-(888)APR-SCBA (1-888-277-7222) |
The following CBRN Air-Purifying Escape Respirators (APER) are approved by NIOSH:
ILC Dover |
Supplier/
Manufacturer |
NIOSH
Approval Number |
Model |
Notes |
ILC Dover |
TC-14G-0277 |
SCape CBRN 30 part numbers 6000-10435 |
ESCAPE ONLY CBRN 30; approved for escape for up to 30 minutes from CBRN agents. |
Product Information: http://www.ILCDover.com
Customer Service: 800-631-9567 |
Mine Safety Appliances Company (MSA) |
Supplier/
Manufacturer |
NIOSH
Approval Number |
Model |
Notes |
Mine Safety Appliances Company (MSA) |
TC-14G-0276 |
Safe Escape part numbers 10052048, 10052049, 10052070 |
ESCAPE ONLY CBRN 15; approved for escape for up to 15 minutes from CBRN agents. |
Mine Safety Appliances Company (MSA) |
TC-14G-0284 |
Universal Safe Escape |
ESCAPE ONLY CBRN 15; approved for escape for up to 15 minutes from CBRN agents. |
Product Information: http://www.msanorthamerica.com/catalog/product500377.html
Technical Support Hotline 1-800-MSA-2222 |
North Safety |
Supplier/
Manufacturer |
NIOSH
Approval Number |
Model |
Notes |
North Safety |
TC-14G-0281
|
ER2000CBRN |
ESCAPE ONLY CBRN 30; approved for escape for up to 30 minutes from CBRN agents. |
Product Information: http://www.northsafety.com/
Technical Support Hotline: 1-800-430-4110 |
Survivair, Inc. |
Supplier/
Manufacturer |
NIOSH
Approval Number |
Model |
Notes |
Survivair, Inc. |
TC-14G-0289
|
Quick 15 CBRN Escape Respirator |
ESCAPE ONLY CBRN 15; approved for escape for up to 15 minutes from CBRN agents. |
Product Information: http://www.survivair.com/
Technical Support Hotline: 800-821-7236 |
** Check the Labels **
NIOSH is also developing criteria for testing and certifying other types
of respirators, such as powered air-purifying respirators, for use by
emergency responders for CBRN environments. To obtain further information
on the NIOSH certification program:
Visit the NIOSH/NPPTL web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl
or call 412-386-4000.
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