Are You Registered for a Mask Fit Test? Here’s What to Expect

Have you recently registered for a mask fit test because your school or workplace requires it, but you’re not sure what to expect? Don’t worry—this page will guide you through the process from the perspective of a Mask Fit Testing Instructor Trainer with St. Mark James Training.

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What is the Purpose of a Mask Fit Test?

The purpose of a 3M mask fit test is to ensure that the masks provided by your workplace or school effectively prevent airborne pathogens or other substances from entering your airway. A proper mask fit test also teaches you how to:

• Check the seal of your mask with positive and negative seal tests.
• Properly don a mask.
• Store masks correctly.
• Order replacement masks.
• Care for your masks to ensure longevity and effectiveness.

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What Happens During a Mask Fit Test?

When you arrive for a mask fit test, you’ll be asked the following questions:

1. Have you smoked in the past 30 minutes?
2. Have you eaten, chewed gum, or drunk anything in the past 30 minutes?
3. Are you clean-shaven?
4. Do you wear dentures and/or glasses?

These questions help ensure the test’s accuracy. For example:

• Eating, chewing gum, or smoking can affect your sense of smell, which is critical for the test.
• Facial hair can interfere with the mask’s seal.
• Wearing dentures or glasses during the test mimics real-world conditions where you might use the mask.

If any of these conditions aren’t met, you may be asked to reschedule.

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The Mask Fit Test Process

1. Initial Sensitivity Test
   • You’ll wear a hood with a face shield provided by the instructor.
   • The instructor will use a nebulizer to spray a smelling solution into the hood.
   • You’ll be asked if you can smell the solution. The process starts with 10 sprays and can go up to a maximum of 30 sprays.
   • If you cannot detect the smell after 30 sprays, the test is ineffective, and the instructor may try a different solution or reschedule the test.
2. Clearing Your Sense of Smell
   • If you detect the solution during the initial sprays, you’ll remove the hood and take a 5–10 minute break to clear the scent from your senses. Drinking water can help.
3. Testing the Mask Fit
   • You’ll don a mask and perform positive and negative seal tests to ensure it fits correctly.
   • Wearing the hood again, the instructor will repeat the spraying process with the same concentration as before.
   • While wearing the mask, you’ll perform movements like bending, talking, and turning your head to simulate real-life scenarios.
   • If you detect the smell at any point, the mask fails the test, and you’ll need to try a different size or model.

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Why is Mask Fit Testing Important?

Mask fit certification is a requirement for many jobs and educational programs. Understanding the process and purpose behind the test can help you prepare and succeed.