Attention, Emergency Responders: How To Determine If Your Powered, Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) 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 powered, air-purifying respirators (PAPR) 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 PAPR 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.
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 PAPR 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 PAPR 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 PAPR.
How to Determine If A Given PAPR 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 PAPR respirator, a label located on the canister, a matrix-style cartridge or 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. Tight fitting CBRN PAPR respirators are approved under schedule 14G and the approval number will begin with "TC-14G-". Loose fitting CBRN PAPR respirators are approved under schedule 23C and the approval number will begin with "TC-23C-"
- Look to see if the full cartridge or canister label is like the one shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2. Cartridge and Canister labels will specify the CBRN protection level (CBRN PAPR Cap 1, CBRN PAPR Cap 2 or CBRN PAPR Cap 3). The dual label for Canisters approved for both APR/PAPR is not yet posted.
Check the Canister Label!

Figure 1. Sample tight fitting CBRN PAPR canister approval label with CBRN PAPR Cap 1 protection. This label is located on the canister. View a full-size PDF version of this image View a full-size PDF version of this image.

Figure 2. Sample loose fitting CBRN PAPR canister approval label with CBRN PAPR Cap 1 protection. This label is located on the canister. View a full-size PDF version of this image View a full-size PDF version of this image.
- If a PAPR is CBRN-approved by NIOSH, the full cartridge or canister label will identify the CBRN protection level. If the cartridge or 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 cartridge or canister label will specify its part number and if the cartridge or canister has been approved for use for CBRN protection. 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 3-6. User instructions are provided with the respirator by the manufacturer.

Figure 3. Sample matrix-style PAPR canister approval label with CBRN PAPR 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.

Figure 4. Sample matrix-style PAPR cartridge approval label with CBRN PAPR 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 a loose fitting PAPR approved for CBRN environments will have a TC-23C prefix (TC-23C-XXXX) and can be found on all three labels.
- The approval number for a tight fitting PAPR 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 PAPR assembly and subassemblies must be composed only of those component parts listed in the row with the CBRN protection. Part numbers that are found only in the rows of the non-CBRN approvals must not be used as part of a CBRN PAPR assembly.

Figure 5. Sample matrix-style Tight Fitting PAPR respirator approval label with CBRN PAPR 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.

Figure 6. Sample matrix-style Loose Fitting PAPR respirator approval label with CBRN PAPR 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 04/03/2007, 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 Powered Air-Purifying Loose Fitting Respirators (PAPR) are approved by NIOSH:
ILC Dover, Inc. |
NIOSH
Approval Number |
Model |
Notes |
TC-23C-2312
|
Sentinel XL CBRN Loose Fitting PAPR |
CBRN PAPR CAP2 - Capacity meets a minimum 30-minute test requirement |
3M Company |
NIOSH
Approval Number |
Model |
Notes |
TC-23C-2311
|
BE-10BR CBRN Loose Fitting PAPR System |
CBRN PAPR Cap 1 - Capacity meets a minimum 15-minute test requirement |
Product Information: http://www.3m.com/
3M Helps line at 1-888-3M HELPS (1-888-364-3577) |
The following CBRN Powered Air-Purifying Tight Fitting Respirators (PAPR) are approved by NIOSH:
Avon Rubber PLC |
NIOSH
Approval Number |
Model |
Notes |
TC-14G-0293
|
Avon PAPR CBRN Tight Fitting PAPR with C50 Facepiece |
CBRN PAPR Cap1 - Capacity meets a minimum 15-minute test requirement |
TC-14G-0294
|
Avon PAPR CBRN Tight Fitting PAPR with CBRN FM12 Facepiece |
CBRN PAPR Cap1 - Capacity meets a minimum 15-minute test requirement |
Product Information: http:// www.avon-rubber.com/
Avon Rubber LLC:: 44 1225 896524 |
3M Company |
NIOSH
Approval Number |
Model |
Notes |
TC-14G-0291
|
FR-M40 CBRN Tight Fitting PAPR |
CBRN PAPR Cap1 - Capacity meets a minimum 15-minute test requirement |
TC-14G-0292
|
FR-7800B CBRN Tight Fitting PAPR |
CBRN PAPR Cap1 - Capacity meets a minimum 15-minute test requirement |
Product Information: http:// www.3M.com/
3M Company:: 1-888-3M Helps |
MSA Company |
NIOSH
Approval Number |
Model |
Notes |
TC-14G-0298
|
FireHawk M7 Responder CBRN PAPR |
CBRN PAPR Cap1 - Capacity meets a minimum 15-minute test requirement |
TC-14G-0287
|
Responder CBRN PAPR Tight Fitting PAPR System |
CBRN PAPR Cap1 - Capacity meets a minimum 15-minute test requirement |
Product Information: http:// www.msanet.com/
MSA North America: 1-800-MSA-2222
|
Safety Equipment Australia Pty, Ltd |
NIOSH
Approval Number |
Model |
Notes |
TC-14G-0290
|
SE 40 CBRN Tight Fitting PAPR |
CBRN PAPR Cap1 - Capacity meets a minimum 15-minute test requirement |
TC-14G-0300
|
SE 40 CBRN Tight Fitting PAPR with Pressurization Hose |
CBRN PAPR Cap1 - Capacity meets a minimum 15-minute test requirement |
Product Information: http://www.sea.com.au/
Safety Equipment Australia Pty, Ltd. (SEA): +1 (724) 746 2033
|
Scott Health and Safety |
NIOSH
Approval Number |
Model |
Notes |
TC-14G-0295
|
CBRN C420 CBRN Tight Fitting Full Facepiece PAPR |
CBRN PAPR Cap1 - Capacity meets a minimum 15-minute test requirement |
Product Information: http://www.scotthealthsafety.com/
Scott Health and Safety: 1-800-247-7257
|
Sperian Respiratory Protection USA, LLC |
NIOSH
Approval Number |
Model |
Notes |
TC-14G-0297
|
Opti-Fit SC420 Tight Fitting CBRN PAPR |
CBRN PAPR Cap1 - Capacity meets a minimum 15-minute test requirement |
Product Information: http://www.survivair.com/
Sperian Respiratory Protection USA, LLC: 1-888-277-7222
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