MSA 697444 Instructions Manual

Bitrex Qualitative Fit Test Kit

instructions

YOUR MSA BITREX QUALITATIVE
FIT TEST KIT INCLUDES:

1. Test hood

2. Nebulizer #1 (sensitivity)

3. Nebulizer #2 (fit test)

4. Sensitivity Solution

5. Fit Test Solution

6. Two sets of replacement nebulizer inserts

PREPARATION

1. Connect snaps at the top of the hood,

so that the connections help to support
itself.

2. Remove an applicator tube of Sensitivity

Test solution from its storage box. With
the fill tip pointed upward, pinch along
the full length of the applicator tube using
your thumb and forefinger until glass
ampoule inside of the applicator tube is
thoroughly crushed.

It is important to keep the applicator tip
pointed upward when pinching the tube.
This is to prevent the solution from squirt­ing out during the pinching process.

3. Remove the stopper from the nebulizer

labeled “No. 1 - Sensitivity Test
Solution”. Insert the tip of the applica­tor tube into the opening of the nebuliz­er. Squeeze along the applicator tube
to transfer the solution from the appli­cator down into the nebulizer until the
applicator is completely drained of the
solution.

Do not attempt to remove the tip of the
applicator. It contains a porous filter
which is designed to allow the solution
to pass through it while filtering out the

glass ampoule particles. It is also not
necessary to puncture a hole or cut the
tip of the applicator. The applicator tip
already has the proper hole size in it to
allow the solution to squirt into the neb­ulizer. See diagram on back.

NOTE
It is recommended that the protective
stopper be replaced back on the nebulizer
until the test is ready to be performed.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 using an applica-

tor tube of Fit Test Solution and the
nebulizer labeled “No. 2 - Fit Test
Solution.”

5. Once the applicator solutions have

been drained into the nebulizers, the
applicator tubes can be safely dis­posed.

SENSITIVITY TEST

This test is conducted to assure that the
person being fit tested can detect the taste
of the Bitrex solution at very low levels.
The sensitivity test solution is a 100 to 1
dilution of the fit test solution.

The test subject should not eat, drink, or
chew gum for at least 15 minutes before
the test.

1. Explain the fit test procedures to the

subject.

2. Have the subject don the hood without

a respirator.

3. Position the hood forward so there is

about six inches between the subjects
face and the hood. This is especially
important for the fit test, it helps to
ensure even dispersion of the aerosol
and allows free movement of the sub­jects head while wearing a respirator.

4. Instruct the subject to breath through

their mouth.

5. Using the sensitivity test solution nebu-

lizer #1, inject the aerosol into the hood
through the hole in the hood. Inject ten
squeezes of the bulb, fully collapsing
and allowing the bulb to expand fully
on each squeeze.

6. Ask the subject if they can detect the

taste of the Bitrex aerosol. If tasted
note the number of squeezes and pro­ceed to the fit test.

7. If the subject does not taste the sensi-

tivity solution, inject an additional 10 full
squeezes of the aerosol into the hood.
Repeat with 10 more squeezes of the
aerosol into the hood if still not tasted.

8. If 30 squeezes of the nebulizer were

inadequate to produce a response from
the subject, the test should be ended
and another type of fit test must be used.

9. Remove the hood and give the subject

a few minutes to clear the taste from
their mouth.

FIT TEST

1. Have the test subject don and fit check

the respirator per the instructions pro­vided with the respirator.

NOTE
The fit test is to be performed with the test
subject wearing a respirator with a particu­late filter or prefilter.

2. Have the test subject don and position

the hood as before, and to breath
through their mouth.

3. Using the fit test nebulizer #2, inject the

fit test aerosol through the hole in the
hood using the same number of full
bulb squeezes as required in the sensi­tivity test, ie. 10, 20, or 30 squeezes.

4. To maintain an adequate concentration

of aerosol during this test, inject one­half of the number of squeezes used in
step #3 above, every 30 seconds.

part no.

697444

TAL 109 (L) Rev. 3 © MSA 2001 Prnt. Spec. 10000005196 (C) Mat. 816975

Doc. 816975

WARNING

WARNING

5. Instruct the subject to indicate if

they detect the taste of Bitrex aerosol
at any time during the test.

6. After the initial aerosol is injected (step 3),

instruct the test subject to perform the
following exercises for 60 seconds each:

a. Normal breathing
b. Deep breathing - breaths should be

deep and regular.

c. Turning head from side to side-

movement should be complete with
one turn every second.

d. Nodding head up and down-move-

ment should be complete and made
about once per second.

e. Talking, reciting the alphabet or

reading aloud the “Rainbow
Passage” (see below).

f. Jog in place.
g. Normal breathing.

7. If the entire test is completed without the

subject detecting the taste of the Bitrex
aerosol, the test is successful and the
respirator fit is deemed adequate.

8. If the test subject does detect the taste

of the Bitrex aerosol, terminate the test,
(this indicates an inadequate fit). Wait
15 minutes and perform the tests over,
starting with the sensitivity test. Fit test
protocol meets 29 CFR Part 1910.134.

CLEANING/REFILLING

Immediately after completing the test,
safely dispose of unused solution. Rinse
the nebulizers with warm water to prevent
clogging. Wipe out the inside of the hood
with a damp cloth or paper towel to
remove any deposited Test Solution. The
Nebulizers must be thoroughly rinsed in
water, shaken dry and refilled at least each
morning and afternoon or at least every (4)
four hours.

OSHA

The MSA qualitative fit test kit meets the
performance criteria for fit testing respira­tors under the current OSHA standards.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
FOR NEBULIZER

1. Remove stopper (A) from vapor tube (B)

holding in horizontal position. Add solu­tion through vapor tube (B).
Do not fill above O-Ring (D). Overfilling
will cause nebulizer to leak.

2. Remove stopper (C) for maximum

aerosol delivery. Do not close stopper
during test. You must hold nebulizer in
upright position (as shown in picture)
for it to function properly.

Replacement Parts

Part Number Description

697445 Sensitivity Solution
697446 Test Solution

697447

Nebulizer, Sensitivity

Test Solution
697448 Test Hood
697449 Training Video

697459

Nebulizer, Fit Test

Solution

Hold nebulizer
in upright
position as
shown.

“

THE RAINBOW PASSAGE”

WHEN THE SUNLIGHT STRIKES RAINDROPS IN THE AIR, THEY ACT LIKE A PRISM AND FORM A RAINBOW. THE
RAINBOW IS A DIVISION OF WHITE LIGHT INTO MANY BEAUTIFUL COLORS. THESE TAKE THE SHAPE OF A
LONG ROUND ARCH, WITH ITS PATH HIGH ABOVE, AND ITS TWO ENDS APPARENTLY BEYOND THE HORIZON.
THERE IS, ACCORDING TO LEGEND, A BOILING POT OF GOLD AT ONE END. PEOPLE LOOK, BUT NO ONE EVER
FINDS IT. WHEN A MAN LOOKS FOR SOMETHING BEYOND HIS REACH, HIS FRIENDS SAY HE IS LOOKING FOR
THE POT OF GOLD AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW.