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NPPTL Participation in Standard Development Committees

Personal protective equipment (PPE) and technology (PPT) play an important role in keeping workers, in many industries, safe while performing their professional duties. The National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) was created to be the division of NIOSH charged with the mission of preventing disease, injury, and death for the millions of working men and women relying on protective equipment.

The mission and vision of NPPTL is enhanced through the collaboration with Standard Development Organizations (SDOs) to develop and implement standards, policies, and guidance documents for PPE and PPT performance, use, and maintenance.

NIOSH encourages employees with relevant experience to represent NIOSH on voluntary consensus standards committees in order to translate NIOSH scientific research findings into practice. Participation is first approved by the employee’s supervisor, the division, lab, or office (DLO) director, the CDC Ethics office, and finally, the NIOSH Director.

The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) of 1995 directs federal agencies to adopt voluntary consensus standards, as opposed to developing and using government-unique standards.

The governmental strategy and guidelines used by agencies to assess and report their conformity assessment activities in accordance with NTTAA are detailed in Office of Budget and Management (OMB) Circular A-119.

Leveraging Standard Development Organizations to Develop Respirator Standards

NFPA 1987 Standard

NPPTL is leveraging the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Technical Committee on Tactical and Technical Operations Respiratory Protection Equipment (FAE-TTO) to develop the new NFPA 1987 Standard on Combination Unit Respirator (CUR) Systems for Tactical and Technical Operations. NPPTL personnel are active on this technical committee, leading and participating in task groups, and providing technical expertise in developing CUR performance criteria and testing methods.

NFPA 1987 is in the early developmental stages prior to beginning full public review and initial revision cycle. Meeting agendas, minutes, and other information can be viewed and downloaded from the NFPA 1987 Document Page. Once the NFPA 1987 standard is completed, it will be endorsed and adopted by NIOSH in lieu of a federal CUR standard.

ISO TC94/SC15

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards are consensus-based standards developed by global expert opinion and input. NPPTL participates in multiple working and project groups in support of ISO PPE standards. Since 2002, NPPTL has been contributing to the activities of ISO Technical Committee 94 Personal Safety – Protective Clothing and Equipment – Subcommittee 15 – Respiratory Protective Devices (ISO TC94/SC15). The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) represents the US as the official ISO member body and is responsible for providing the US position to ISO. NPPTL also administers the ANSI-accredited US Technical Advisory Group (USTAG) to ISO TC94/SC15.

The ISO respiratory protective device (RPD) test methods and related performance standards can be considered for potential updates and revisions to NIOSH respirator approval requirements in 42 CFR Part 84 and in the consideration of potential research projects.

ISO TC94/SC15 has developed:

  • Fourteen international RPD test method standards – Inward Leakage, Breathing Resistance, Particle and Gas Filter Efficiency, RPD Headforms and Testing Tools and Equipment, Mechanical Strength, Practical Performance, Interactive Flow Rate, Carbon Dioxide, Flame and Heat, Field of Vision, Work of Breathing, Mining Escape RPD, Noise Level;
  • Eight technical specifications relating to the human factors of RPD use;
  • Four technical specifications – RPD Marking and Information, Classification, Selection, Use and Maintenance
  • Three international standards – RPD Terms and Definitions, RPD Standardized Connector, and RPD Fit-Testing (in the workplace);
  • Ongoing development of performance standards for filtering RPD, supplied breathable gas RPD, special application chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) RPD, and special application radiological and nuclear (RN) RPD.

Transition of ANSI Z88 Respirator Package to ASTM F23

The ANSI/ASSE Z88 Respirator Package included all aspects of the Z88 nationally recognized respirator standards and guidance for training individuals to conduct respirator fit testing. In July 2017, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) transferred the Z88 Respirator Package to ASTM International and incorporated into Committee F23 on Protective Clothing and Equipment. The Z88 standards are now the responsibility of the Subcommittee F23.65 on Respiratory. NPPTL staff members on Z88 are transitioning to ASTM F23.65 and will continue to provide leadership and technical expertise in the transition of Z88 respirator standards as ASTM F23 respirator standards.

Previous ANSI/ASSE Z88 Respirator Package

Committee Designation Committee Name
ANSI Z88 ASC Secretariat
ANSI Z88.2 Practices for Respiratory Protection
ANSI Z88.6 Medical Requirements
ANSI Z88.10 Respirator Fit Testing Methods
ANSI Z88.15 Respirator Fit Capability
ANSI Z88.16 Assigned Protection Factors
ANSI Z88.17 Terminology

Standard Development Organizations with NPPTL Committee Members

Group of logos for Participating Standard Committees

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

NFPA logo
Committee Designation Committee Name Principal Member Alternate Member Subject Matter Expert
FAE-AAC Correlating Committee on Fire and Emergency Services Protective Clothing and Equipment Bill Haskell, Chairman Jon Szalajda Jeff Peterson
FAE-ELS Technical Committee on Electronic Safety Equipment Bill Haskell Tim Rehak
FAE-EMS Technical Committee on Emergency Medical Services Protective Clothing and Equipment Bill Haskell Selcen Kilinc-Balci
FAE-HAZ Technical Committee on Hazardous Materials Protective Clothing and Equipment Bill Haskell Colleen Miller Terry Cloonan
FAE-RPE Technical Committee on Respiratory Protection Equipment Jeff Peterson Bob Stein Jay Tarley
FAE-TTO Technical Committee on Tactical and Technical Operations Respiratory Protection Equipment Jon Szalajda Bob Stein Jeff Peterson
FAE-SCE Technical Committee on Special Operations Protective Clothing and Equipment Bill Haskell Colleen Miller
FAE-SPF Technical Committee on Structural and Proximity Fire Fighting Protective Clothing and Equipment Bill Haskell Jay Tarley
FAE-WFF Technical Committee on Wildland Fire Fighting Protective Clothing and Equipment Bill Haskell Jay Tarley Corey Butler*
HCZ-AAA Hazardous Materials Response Personnel Tim Rehak Bill Haskell Terry Cloonan, Colleen Miller
* NIOSH Western States Division

ASTM International

ASTM Logo
Committee Designation Committee Name Voting Non-Voting Subject Matter Expert
F23 Committee F23 on Protective Clothing and Equipment Bill Haskell Selcen Kilinc-Balci Colleen Miller
F23.20 Subcommittee F23.20 on Physical Selcen Kilinc-Balci Bill Haskell Dana Rottach, Colleen Miller
F23.30 Subcommittee F23.30 on Chemicals Lee Portnoff Bill Haskell, Selcen Kilinc-Balci Dana Rottach
F23.40 Subcommittee F23.40 on Biological Selcen Kilinc-Balci Lee Portnoff Samy Rengasamy
F23.50 Subcommittee F23.50 on Certification and PPE Interoperability Bill Haskell, Chair Jeff Peterson, Colleen Miller
F23.60 Subcommittee F23.60 on Human Factors Aitor Coca Selcen Kilinc-Balci Jon Williams, Kenny Kim
F23.65 Subcommittee F23.65 on Respiratory
(Formerly ANSI/ASSE Z88 Committee)
Jon Szalajda Tim Rehak, Chris Coffey, Colleen Miller, W. Jon Williams, Michael Bergman, Ziqing Zhuang
F23.70 Subcommittee F23.70 on Radiological Hazards Bill Haskell Colleen Miller
F23.80 Subcommittee F23.80 on Flame and Thermal Bill Haskell Selcen Kilinc-Balci Samy Rengasamy
F23.90 Subcommittee F23.90 on Executive Bill Haskell Colleen Miller
F23.91 Subcommittee F23.91 on Editorial Bill Haskell Colleen Miller
F23.95 Subcommittee F23.95 on Planning Bill Haskell Colleen Miller
F23.96 International Standards Coordination US TAG to ISO TC 94/SC13 on Protective Clothing -and to ISO TC94/SC14 on Fire Fighter Personal Protective Equipment Bill Haskell Colleen Miller
F23.96.01 Subcommittee F23.96.01 on US TAG to ISO TC 94/SC13 on Protective Clothing Bill Haskell Colleen Miller
F23.96.02 Subcommittee F23.96.02 on US TAG to ISO TC94/SC14 on Fire Fighter Personal Protective Equipment Bill Haskell Colleen Miller
E54 Committee E54 on Homeland Security Applications Bill Haskell, Recording Secretary Colleen Miller
E54.90 Subcommittee E54.09 on Executive Bill Haskell Colleen Miller

International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

ISO logo
Committee Designation Committee Name Voting Member Alternate Voting Member Subject Matter Expert
ANSI-accredited USTAG to TC94/SC15 Personal Safety – Protective Clothing and Equipment – Respiratory protective devices Colleen Miller Bill King Maryann D’Alessandro, Terry Cloonan, Jim Harris, Jeff Palcic, Tim Rehak, Samy Rengasamy, Ron Shaffer, Eddie Sinkule, Bob Stein, Rich Vojtko, Gary Walbert, W. Jon Williams, Ziqing Zhuang, Chris Coffey
TC 94 Personal Safety – Protective Clothing and Equipment Colleen Miller
TC 94/SC 15 Respiratory Protective Devices Colleen Miller
TC 94/SC 15/WG1 Terminology, Marking and Classification Colleen Miller
TC 94/SC 15/WG2 Filtering RPD Colleen Miller, Ziqing Zhuang
TC 94/SC 15/WG3 Supplied Breathable Gas RPD Colleen Miller, Ziqing Zhuang, Terry Cloonan
TC 94/SC 15/WG4 Test Methods Colleen Miller, Ziqing Zhuang, Eddie Sinkule, Bill King
TC 94/SC 15/WG5 Human Factors W. Jon Williams, Ziqing Zhuang
TC 94/SC 15/WG6 Selection and Use Colleen Miller, Jim Harris
TC 94/SC 15/WG7 CBRN Terry Cloonan, Jeff Peterson, Jon Szalajda
TC 94/SC 6 Eye and Face Protection Ziqing Zhuang, Jim Harris

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

ANSI logo
Committee Designation Committee Name Voting Member Alternate Voting Member Subject Matter Expert
Z87 Accredited Standards Committee on Safety Standards for Eye Protection Jim Harris Ziqing Zhuang Selcen Kilinc-Balci, Lewis Radonovich, Debbie Novak

Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI)

AAMI logo
Committee Designation Committee Name Voting Member Alternate Voting Member Subject Matter Expert
PB Protective Barriers Committee (surgical gowns and drapes) Selcen Kilinc-Balci Dana Rottach Lee Portnoff

American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC)

AATCC Logo

 

Committee Designation Committee Name Voting Member Alternate Voting Member Subject Matter Expert
RA31 Antimicrobial Activity Test Methods Selcen Kilinc-Balci Dana Rottach Non-Voting
RA38 Colorfastness to Crocking Test Methods Selcen Kilinc-Balci Dana Rottach Non-Voting
RA42 Dimensional Change Test Methods Selcen Kilinc-Balci Dana Rottach Non-Voting
RA50 Lightfastness and Weathering Test Methods Selcen Kilinc-Balci Dana Rottach Non-Voting
RA56 Stain Resistance Test Methods Selcen Kilinc-Balci Dana Rottach Non-Voting
RA60 Colorfastness to Washing Test Methods Selcen Kilinc-Balci Dana Rottach Non-Voting
RA61 Appearance Retention Test Methods Selcen Kilinc-Balci Dana Rottach Non-Voting
RA63 Water Resistance, Absorbency and Wetting Agent Evaluation Test Methods Selcen Kilinc-Balci Dana Rottach Voting
RA75 Evaluation of Materials and Products for End Use Performance Selcen Kilinc-Balci Dana Rottach Non-Voting
RA89 Hand Evaluation Test Methods Selcen Kilinc-Balci Dana Rottach Voting
RA104 Garment Wet Processing Technology Selcen Kilinc-Balci Dana Rottach Non-Voting
RA106 UV Protective Textile Test Methods Selcen Kilinc-Balci Dana Rottach Non-Voting
RA109 Flammability Technology Selcen Kilinc-Balci Dana Rottach Voting

Memoranda of Understanding between NPPTL and Standard Development Organizations

NIOSH ASTM F23

NIOSH ASTM F23 [PDF – 149 KB]

The purpose of this MOU is to facilitate the partnership between NIOSH/NPPTL and the ASTM International’s Committee F23 on Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment. The MOU includes cooperation in development of test methods, product standards, practices, guides, classifications, and terminology related to worker and emergency responder protective clothing and equipment. This will be accomplished by NIOSH employee membership and participation on ASTM standards development committees.

This MOU is intended to define the general scope of the intended collaboration between the parties and does not create any rights or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or equity, against the United States, the signatory federal agencies, and ASTM International.

NIOSH NFPA PPE

NIOSH NFPA PPE [PDF – 163 KB]

The purpose of this MOU is to facilitate the partnering, cooperation, and coordination of activities between NIOSH, NFPA, and FPRF. Primary focus will be emergency responder protective clothing and equipment (PPE) including PPE for response to all emergency incidents including fire, technical rescue, hazardous materials, emergency medical, special operations, and terrorism incidents involving chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) hazards, as well as the development of standards for emergency responder organizations and personnel concerning the safety, deployment, operations, and protection of emergency responders.

This MOU is intended to define the general scope of the intended collaboration between the parties and does not create any rights or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or equity, against the United States, the signatory federal agencies, the NFPA, or the FPRF.

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