{"data":{"id":"us-va/12vac5-481-3680","jurisdiction":"us-va","citation":"12VAC5-481-3680","heading":"Assigned protection factors for respirators","body":"Operating mode\n\nAssigned Protection Factors\n\nI. Air Purifying Respirators (Particulateb only)c:\n\nFiltering facepiece disposabled\n\nNegative Pressure\n\n(d)\n\nFacepiece, halfe\n\nNegative Pressure\n\n10\n\nFacepiece, full\n\nNegative Pressure\n\n100\n\nFacepiece, half\n\nPowered air-purifying respirators\n\n50\n\nFacepiece, full\n\nPowered air-purifying respirators\n\n1000\n\nHelmet/hood\n\nPowered air-purifying respirators\n\n1000\n\nFacepiece, loose-fitting\n\nPowered air-purifying respirators\n\n25\n\nII.  Atmosphere-supplying  respirators (particulate, gases and vaporsf):\n\n1. Air-line respirator:\n\nFacepiece, half\n\nDemand\n\n10\n\nFacepiece, half\n\nContinuous Flow\n\n50\n\nFacepiece, half\n\nPressure Demand\n\n50\n\nFacepiece, full\n\nDemand\n\n100\n\nFacepiece, full\n\nContinuous Flow\n\n1000\n\nFacepiece, full\n\nPressure Demand\n\n1000\n\nHelmet/hood\n\nContinuous Flow\n\n1000\n\nFacepiece, loose-fitting\n\nContinuous Flow\n\n25\n\nSuit\n\nContinuous Flow\n\n(g)\n\n2. Self-contained breathing Apparatus (SCBA):\n\nFacepiece, full\n\nDemand\n\nh100\n\nFacepiece, full\n\nPressure Demand\n\ni10,000\n\nFacepiece, full\n\nDemand, Recirculating\n\nh100\n\nFacepiece, full\n\nPositive Pressure Recirculating\n\ni10,000\n\nIII. Combination Respirators:\n\nAny combination of air-purifying and atmosphere-supplying  respirators\n\nAssigned protection factor for type and mode of operation as  listed above.\n\naThese assigned protection factors apply only in  a respiratory protection program that meets the requirements of this section.  They are applicable only to airborne radiological hazards and may not be  appropriate to circumstances when chemical or other respiratory hazards exist  instead of, or in addition to, radioactive hazards. Selection and use of  respirators for such circumstances  shall also comply with  Department of Labor regulations.\n\nRadioactive contaminants for which the concentration values  in Table 1, Column 3 of  Appendix B to 10 CFR Part  20 are based on internal dose due to inhalation may, in addition, present  external exposure hazards at higher concentrations. Under these  circumstances, limitations on occupancy may have to be governed by external  dose limits.\n\nbAir purifying respirators with APF \u003c100   shall be equipped with particulate filters that are at least 95%  efficient. Air purifying respirators with APF = 100  shall  be equipped with particulate filters that are at least 99% efficient. Air  purifying respirators with APFs \u003e100  shall be equipped  with particulate filters that are at least 99.97% efficient.\n\ncThe licensee may apply to VDH for the use of an  APF greater than 1 for absorbent cartridges as protection against airborne  radioactive gases and vapors (e.g., radioiodine).\n\ndLicensees may permit individuals to use this  type of respirator who have not been medically screened or fit tested on the  device provided that no credit be taken for their use in estimating intake or  dose. It is also recognized that it is difficult to perform an effective  positive or negative pressure pre-use user seal check on this type of device.  All other respiratory protection program requirements listed in  12VAC5-481-820 apply. An assigned protection factor has not been assigned for  these devices. However, an APF equal to 10 may be used if the licensee can  demonstrate a fit factor of at least 100 by use of a validated or evaluated,  qualitative or quantitative fit test.\n\neUnder-chin type only. No distinction is made in  this section between elastomeric half-masks with replaceable cartridges and  those designed with the filter medium as an integral part of the facepiece  (e.g., disposable or reusable disposable). Both types are acceptable so long  as the seal area of the latter contains some substantial type of  seal-enhancing material such as rubber or plastic, the two or more suspension  straps are adjustable, the filter medium is at least 95 percent efficient and  all other requirements of this section are met.\n\nfThe assigned protection factors for gases and  vapors are not applicable to radioactive contaminants that present an  absorption or submersion hazard. For tritium oxide vapor, approximately  one-third of the intake occurs by absorption through the skin so that an  overall protection factor of 3 is appropriate when atmosphere-supplying  respirators are used to protect against tritium oxide. Exposure to  radioactive noble gases is not considered a significant respiratory hazard,  and protective actions for these contaminants should be based on external  (submersion) dose considerations.\n\ngNo NIOSH approval schedule is currently  available for atmosphere supplying suits. This equipment may be used in an  acceptable respiratory protection program as long as all the other minimum  program requirements, with the exception of fit testing, are met (i.e.,  12VAC5-481-820).\n\nhThe licensee should implement institutional  controls to assure that these devices are not used in areas immediately  dangerous to life or health (IDLH).\n\niThis type of respirator may be used as an  emergency device in unknown concentrations for protection against inhalation  hazards. External radiation hazards and other limitations to permitted  exposure such as skin absorption shall be taken into account in these  circumstances. This device may not be used by any individual who experiences  perceptible outward leakage of breathing gas while wearing the device.","path":["Title 12. Health","Agency 5. Department of Health","Chapter 481. Virginia Radiation Protection Regulations","Part XVII. Schedules","Article 7. Notification"],"source_url":"https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title12/agency5/chapter481/section3680/","current_through":"2026 Regular Session (effective July 1, 2026)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T04:50:33Z","sha256":"653f6c5b5d584c207de037df366403e2240ea9ce78e3282d90fb12ee60da5e60","source_id":"us-va-vac","stale":false,"prev":"us-va/12vac5-481-3660","next":"us-va/12vac5-481-3700"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}