Bullard IHS Catalog

Respiratory Protection

What are Assigned Protection Factors (APFs)? Assigned Protection Factor (APF) is the workplace level of respiratory protection that a respirator or class of respirators is expected to provide to employees when the employer implements a continuing, effective respiratory protection program. The APF required for an application can be calculated by dividing the airborne concentration of the contaminant by the PEL for that contaminant. The OSHA-recognized APFs for different types of respirators are found in the table (from 1910.134) below:

*Footnote 4 in essence states that in order to use an APF of 1,000, the respirator manufacturer shall provide evidence to the employer that the respirator demonstrates performance at a level of protection equal to or greater than 1,000. Bullard has long been a leader in protection factor research.

Assigned Protection Factors (not to scale)

10,000

1,000

50

25

5 10

1/2 Mask APR Demand SAR Demand SCBA Hood/Helmet PAPR no data* SAR no data*

1/4 Mask APR

Loose Fitting Facepiece PAPR SAR

1/2 Mask PAPR

Full Facepiece SCBA Pressure Demand Hood/Helmet SCBA Pressure Demand

Full Facepiece PAPR

SAR Continuous Flow SAR Pressure Demand

SAR Continuous Flow SAR Pressure Demand

Full Facepiece APR SAR Demand SCBA Demand

Hood/Helmet PAPR with data 4 SAR with data 4

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