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.
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.
What Happens During a Mask Fit Test?
When you arrive for a mask fit test, you’ll be asked the following questions:
- Have you smoked in the past 30 minutes?
- Have you eaten, chewed gum, or drunk anything in the past 30 minutes?
- Are you clean-shaven?
- 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.
The Mask Fit Test Process
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.