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SEL Number: 01ID-01-BARR
Title: Face Covering, Barrier, Reusable or Disposable


Last Updated: 4/5/2022 11:24:58 AM

Previous SEL Number: 01ID-01-BARR

Description: A barrier face covering labelled as compliant with ASTM F3502 that completely covers the user's nose and mouth and is designed to provide source control, i.e., it reduces the potential for disease transmission by the wearer and offers a degree of aerosol filtration efficiency. NIOSH/NPPTL
National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory
provides an online list of compliant face coverings at https://wwwn.cdc.gov/PPEInfo/RG/FaceCoverings.

While these face coverings may provide some reduction of inhaled particulate matter by the wearer, they are primarily designed as source control devices and are intended for long-duration wear. THEY SHOULD NOT BE USED IN LIEU OF RESPIRATORS. Some barrier face coverings are designed for reuse. Such coverings may be reused following manufacturer-specified cleaning procedures and still meet the minimum criteria of ASTM F3502. Note: Barrier face coverings described here are not medical face masks (see 01EM-01-MASK) and are not respirators (see 01AR-06-DISP or 01AR-06-REUS).

ImportantFeatures: Barrier face coverings cover the wearer's nose and mouth and fit snugly where the product contacts the wearer's face to reduce gaps. ASTM F3502 accommodates a variety of products with different configurations, designs, and materials. It contains a limited set of design criteria addressing the use of safe materials in face covering construction, minimum coverage of the wearer's face, a prohibition against having vents or exhaust valves, and the ability to be offered in more than one size. Barrier face coverings utilize varying methods of securing the covering behind the head (e.g., ties, elastic ear loops, head harnesses, etc.).

Performance specifications are included for sub-micron particle filtration efficiency and airflow (breathing) resistance. Manufacturers are required to perform a leakage assessment for determining the relative ability of face coverings to fit snugly against the wearer's face. This assessment may be supplemented by a quantitative leakage ratio test that is performed according to a modified version of ASTM F3407.

ASTM F3502-compliant barrier face coverings must be labeled with a compliance statement and include other information on the packaging. Both performance tests described above must be conducted by an accredited laboratory, but compliance with all other criteria can be by self-declaration by the manufacturer subject to the Model A requirements of ASTM F3050, a standard guide on conformity assessment of PPE.

ASTM F3502 provides separate levels of performance for rating sub-micron particulate filtration efficiency and airflow resistance. Filtration efficiency testing is performed using the same method that NIOSH
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
uses to evaluates respirators, with products meeting the lowest minimum of 20% designated at Level 1. Products testing at 50% filtration efficiency or higher are designated as Level 2. For airflow resistance, which reflects the ease of breathing through the face covering, lower values are better. Products testing at a maximum of 15 mm H2O or less are Level 1, while those testing at 5 mm H2O or lower are Level 2. These ratings must be provided by the manufacturer as part of their product package label and user information.

Operating Considerations: Organizations should choose only barrier face covering that comply with ASTM F3502. NIOSH
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
offers a list of barrier face coverings that comply with the requirements of this standard at https://wwwn.cdc.gov/PPEInfo/RG/FaceCoverings. Manufacturers are required to provide a report to organizations indicating their compliance with the requirements of ASTM F3502. If a reusable product is desired, it is likely to have lower filtration efficiency performance based on the types of materials that can be laundered and reused. User information from the manufacturer should be examined prior to purchase to ensure a full understanding of product capabilities. ASTM F3502 does not allow use of antimicrobial finishes or materials as part of barrier face coverings.

It is important to ensure that SOPs are amended to clearly state when barrier face coverings are required, and when they should be replaced by more capable respiratory protection equipment such as NIOSH-approved filtering facepiece respirators or other types of respirators. Barrier face covering performance should match the intended level of work to be performed while wearing the product, based upon the two levels of filtration efficiency and breathability described in Features above. CDC/NIOSH
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
has also established categories of barrier face coverings based on ASTM F3502 Level 2 filtration efficiency. The “Workplace Performance Mask” requires Level 2 filtration and a leakage ratio >= 5%. The “Workplace Performance Plus Mask” requires an even higher particulate filtration level (>= 80%) with a leakage ratio >= 10%. For details, see https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/emres/pandemic/.

The selection of barrier face coverings should account for features that allow the product to fit snugly on the wearer's face. The application of optional quantitative leakage assessment testing (using a modified version of ASTM F3407) is the best way to demonstrate this capability for a broad wearer population.

Barrier face coverings are not intended to replace medical face masks that conform to ASTM F2100. Barrier face coverings may offer similar performance to medical face masks in terms of sub-micron particulate filtration efficiency or airflow resistance, but are not evaluated for biocompatibility and, more importantly, are not evaluated for fluid resistance.

Training Requirements: Per manufacturer.
Initial Training: Minimal (<1 day)
Sustainment Training: None

Mandatory Standards:


Applicable Standards and References:


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