AS/NZS 1715:1994

1 - AS/NZS 1715:1994 SELECTION, USE AND MAINTENANCE OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
4 - PREFACE
5 - CONTENTS
7 - SECTION 1 SCOPE AND GENERAL
7 - 1.1 SCOPE
7 - 1.2 GENERAL PRINCIPLES
7 - 1.3 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
8 - 1.4 RELATED DOCUMENTS
8 - 1.5 DEFINITIONS
8 - 1.5.1 Acute
8 - 1.5.2 Air-hose respirator
9 - 1.5.3 Air-line respirator
9 - 1.5.4 Air-purifying respirator
9 - 1.5.5 Atmospheric contaminant
9 - 1.5.6 Breathing air
9 - 1.5.7 Chronic
9 - 1.5.8 Combination filter respirator
9 - 1.5.9 Demand valve
9 - 1.5.10 Disposable respirator
9 - 1.5.11 Dust
9 - 1.5.12 Escape type respirator
9 - 1.5.13 Facial fit check
9 - 1.5.14 Facial fit test
9 - 1.5.15 Filter
9 - 1.5.16 Filtration type escape respirator
9 - 1.5.17 Full facepiece
9 - 1.5.18 Fume
9 - 1.5.19 Gas
9 - 1.5.20 Gas filter
10 - 1.5.21 Gas filter respirator
10 - 1.5.22 Half facepiece
10 - 1.5.23 Head covering
10 - 1.5.24 Hose-mask respirator
10 - 1.5.25 Immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH)
10 - 1.5.26 Informative
10 - 1.5.27 Inspirable fraction
10 - 1.5.28 Local effects
10 - 1.5.29 Mechanically generated particulates
10 - 1.5.30 Mist
10 - 1.5.31 Mouthpiece
10 - 1.5.32 Natural breathing
10 - 1.5.33 Normative
10 - 1.5.34 Nose clip
10 - 1.5.35 Occupational hygiene
10 - 1.5.36 Occupational hygienist
10 - 1.5.37 Oxygen-deficient atmosphere
11 - 1.5.38 Oxygen generating respirator
11 - 1.5.39 Particulates
11 - 1.5.40 Particulate filter
11 - 1.5.41 Particulate filter respirator
11 - 1.5.42 Powered air-purifying respirator
11 - 1.5.43 Protection factor
11 - 1.5.44 Qualitative fit test
11 - 1.5.45 Quantitative fit test
11 - 1.5.46 Regulatory authority
11 - 1.5.47 Required minimum protection factor
11 - 1.5.48 Respirable air
11 - 1.5.49 Respirable dust fraction
11 - 1.5.50 Respirator
11 - 1.5.51 Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
11 - 1.5.52 Single use low-boiling point filter
11 - 1.5.53 Shall
12 - 1.5.54 Should
12 - 1.5.55 Smoke
12 - 1.5.56 Sorbent
12 - 1.5.57 Supplied-air respirator
12 - 1.5.58 Supplied-oxygen respirator
12 - 1.5.59 Systemic effect
12 - 1.5.60 Thermally generated particulates
12 - 1.5.61 Toxicity
12 - 1.5.62 Vapour
12 - 1.5.63 Worksets
13 - SECTION 2 ENTRY OF SUBSTANCES IN TO THE BODY
13 - 2.1 GENERAL
13 - 2.2 INHALATION
13 - 2.2.1 General
13 - 2.2.2 Inhalation of gaseous contaminants
15 - 2.2.3 Inhalation of particulates
15 - 2.2.4 Particle size
16 - 2.3 ABSORPTION
16 - 2.3.1 Skin absorption
17 - 2.3.2 Eye absorption
17 - 2.4 INGESTION
18 - SECTION 3 OXYGEN-DEFICIENT ATMOSPHERES
18 - 3.1 GENERAL
18 - 3.2 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION
19 - 3.3 SYMPTOMS OF OXYGEN DEFICIENCY
20 - SECTION 4 HAZARD RECOGNITION, EVALUATION AND CONTROL
20 - 4.1 RECOGNITION OF HAZARDS
20 - 4.1.1 General
20 - 4.1.2 Classification of inhalation hazards
20 - 4.2 HAZARD EVALUATION
20 - 4.2.1 General
21 - 4.2.2 Exposure standards
21 - 4.3 HAZARD CONTROL
22 - SECTION 5 TYPES OF RESPIRATOR
22 - 5.1 METHOD OF PROVIDING PERSONAL RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
22 - 5.2 TYPES OF RESPIRATOR
22 - 5.3 AIR-PURIFYING RESPIRATORS
22 - 5.3.1 General
22 - 5.3.2 Particulate filters
24 - 5.3.3 Gas filters
25 - 5.3.4 Combination particulate and gas filters
25 - 5.3.5 Filter self-rescue respirators
26 - 5.4 SUPPLIED AIR RESPIRATORS
26 - 5.4.1 General
26 - 5.4.2 Supplied air
26 - 5.4.3 Mode of air delivery to the respirator
27 - 5.4.4 Respirators supplied through an air hose
27 - 5.4.5 Respirators supplied through an airline
27 - 5.4.6 Self-contained breathing apparatus
28 - 5.4.7 Auxiliary protection systems
28 - 5.4.8 Low flow warning devices
29 - SECTION 6 SELECTION OF RESPIRATORS
29 - 6.1 FACTORS IN SELECTION
30 - 6.2 SELECTION FACTORS-CONTAMINANT-RELATED
30 - 6.2.1 General
30 - 6.2.2 Nature, toxicity, physical form and concentration of the contaminant
35 - 6.2.3 Protection against particulates
36 - 6.2.4 Protection against toxic gases
37 - 6.2.5 Protection against combined particulates, gases and vapours
37 - 6.2.6 Protection against oxygen-deficient atmospheres
38 - 6.2.7 Additional protection
38 - 6.2.8 Adequacy of the warning given by the contaminant
39 - 6.2.9 Respirators for use in flammable or explosive atmospheres
39 - 6.3 SELECTION FACTORS-TASK-RELATED
39 - 6.3.1 General
40 - 6.3.2 Frequency and length of usage
40 - 6.3.3 Degree of activity and mobility
40 - 6.3.4 Location of the task
40 - 6.3.5 Vision and communication
40 - 6.3.6 Maintenance
41 - 6.3.7 Air-hose or air-line
41 - 6.4 SELECTION FACTORS-OPERATOR-RELATED
41 - 6.4.1 General
41 - 6.4.2 Basic physiological considerations
41 - 6.4.3 The importance of facial fit
41 - 6.4.4 User acceptance
43 - SECTION 7 THE RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROGRAM
43 - 7.1 MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
43 - 7.2 COMPLIANCE OF EQUIPMENT
44 - 7.3 MEDICAL SCREENING
44 - 7.3.1 General
44 - 7.3.2 Specific factors affecting performance
45 - 7.4 ISSUE OF RESPIRATORS
45 - 7.5 FACIAL FIT TESTS
45 - 7.5.1 General
45 - 7.5.2 Frequency of fitting tests
45 - 7.5.3 Facial hair in respirator fitting
46 - 7.5.4 Eye correction in respirator fitting
46 - 7.6 CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE
46 - 7.6.1 General
46 - 7.6.2 Cleaning and disinfection
47 - 7.6.3 Storage of equipment
47 - 7.6.4 Maintenance
48 - 7.7 INSPECTION FOR DEFECTS
48 - 7.7.1 General
48 - 7.7.2 Inspection schedules
48 - 7.7.3 Record keeping
48 - 7.8 INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE CONSIDERATIONS
48 - 7.8.1 General
48 - 7.8.2 Disposable respirators
48 - 7.8.3 Re-usable air-purifying respirators (half face piece, full face piece)
49 - 7.8.4 Supplied-air respirators
50 - 7.8.5 Filter self-rescuer (mines)
50 - 7.8.6 Care of rechargeable batteries
51 - 7.8.7 Final inspection
51 - 7.9 SAFE WORKING PRACTICES
51 - 7.9.1 General
51 - 7.9.2 Provision of assistance
51 - 7.9.3 Use of speech transmission devices
51 - 7.9.4 Entry to confined spaces
51 - 7.9.5 Low and high temperature
52 - 7.9.6 Use of hoses
52 - 7.10 REPLACEMENT OF FILTERS
52 - 7.10.1 General
52 - 7.10.2 Particulate respirators
52 - 7.10.3 Gas respirators
52 - 7.10.4 Combined respirators
53 - 7.11 ENSURING THE CONTINUED EFFECTIVENESS OF THE RESPIRATOR PROGRAM
53 - 7.11.1 General
53 - 7.11.2 Monitoring of atmospheric contaminant concentration
53 - 7.11.3 Program evaluation
53 - 7.12 TRAINING IN RESPIRATORY PROTECTION USAGE
54 - SECTION 8 SPECIFIC MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
54 - 8.1 SERVICING FACEPIECES
54 - 8.2 SERVICING EXHALATION VALVES
54 - 8.3 SERVICING OTHER COMPONENT PARTS
55 - APPENDIX A - REQUIREMENTS FOR AIR QUALITY (COMPRESSORS OR CYLINDERS) FOR SUPPLIED AIR RESPIRATORS
55 - A1 AIR SUPPLY
55 - A1.1 Capacity
55 - A1.2 Air temperature
55 - A1.3 Avoidance of stale air or moisture
55 - A1.4 Compressors
56 - A1.5 General works air supply systems
56 - A1.6 Air quality
56 - A2 COMPRESSED OXYGEN SUPPLY
57 - APPENDIX B - ADVISORY AUTHORITIES
59 - APPENDIX C - RESPIRATOR SELECTION EXAMPLES
59 - C1 EXAMPLE 1
59 - C2 EXAMPLE 2
61 - APPENDIX D - TYPICAL RESPIRATOR FIT TESTS
61 - D1 GENERAL
61 - D2 TEST METHODS
61 - D2.1 Types
61 - D2.2 Qualitative fit testing
61 - D2.3 Qualitative tests
63 - D2.4 Quantitative tests
64 - D2.5 Fit checks
66 - APPENDIX E - FACIAL SEAL OF RESPIRATORS
66 - E1 GENERAL
66 - E2 BEARDS
66 - E3 MOUSTACHES
66 - E4 SIDEBURNS
66 - E5 STUBBLE GROWTH AND LONG HAIR
66 - E6 MOUTHPIECE AND NOSE CLIP
68 - APPENDIX F - EMPLOYEE TRAINING PROGRAM
68 - F1 OUTLINE
68 - F2 FORMAT
68 - F3 INSTRUCTIONS TO TRAINEES
69 - F4 EMPLOYEE TRAINING PROGRAM GUIDE
73 - APPENDIX G - TYPICAL METHOD OF MEASURING VALVE LEAKAGE
73 - G1 LEAKAGE METER
73 - G2 USE OF METER
75 - APPENDIX H - COMPRESSED BREATHING AIR FILTRATION SYSTEMS
75 - H1 SCOPE
75 - H2 COMPRESSOR LOCATION
75 - H3 AIR PURIFICATION ELEMENTS
75 - H4 PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
75 - H5 MAINTENANCE
75 - H6 AIR PURIFICATION TRAIN
77 - APPENDIX I - TYPICAL METHOD OF MEASURING INHALATION AND EXHALATION RESISTANCE
77 - I1 RESISTANCE METER
77 - I2 APPARATUS
77 - I3 PROCEDURE
79 - APPENDIX J - CHECKPOINTS FOR RESPIRATOR PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION
79 - J1 PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
79 - J2 PROGRAM OPERATION
81 - INDEX

Sets out the principles of respiratory protection. Provides information concerning the effects on the body and protection from harmful substances and atmospheres deficient in oxygen. Offers guidance on considerations critical to the correct selection, use and maintenance of respirators specified in AS/NZS 1716. Advice on the range of protection factors and the level of protection provided by different respiratory devices is covered. Gives guidance on hazard reduction and respiratory protection programs. This Standard does not deal with the special problems associated with underwater breathing, use of respirators in aircraft or life support respirators for medical or resuscitation purposes.

This Standard sets out the principles of respiratory protection and makes recommendations for the selection, use and maintenance of personal respiratory protective devices (respirators) for the protection of the body against atmospheres deficient in oxygen or against harmful substances which could enter the body through the respiratory system, or both. Harmful substances may be in the form of dusts, mists, fumes, smokes, gases and vapours, or combinations of these substances.This Standard does not deal with the special problems connected with diving and underwater breathing (see AS 2299), the use of respirators in aircraft, or the use of life support respirators for medical or resuscitation purposes.Design, manufacturing and type approval test requirements for respiratory protective devices are not covered in this Standard, but are specified in AS/NZS 1716.

First published in Australia as AS CZ11-1960.
Second edition 1968.
AS CZ11-1968 revised and redesignated AS 1715-1975.
Second edition 1982.
Third edition 1991.
First published in New Zealand as part of NZS 1586-1961 (being endorsement of BS 2091:1954 with amendments).
NZS 1586-1961 revised and redesignated in part as NZS 2267:1969.
NZS 2267:1969 replaced by NZS/AS 1715-1991 (harmonized 1992).
NZS 2267:1969 withdrawn 1992.
Jointly revised and designated as Joint Standard AS/NZS 1715:1994.