42 CFR § 84.137 - Inhalation and exhalation valves; check valves; minimum requirements.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t42/s84.137"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "42 CFR § 84.137 - Inhalation and exhalation valves; check valves; minimum requirements."
title_number: 42
title_name: "Public Health"
section_number: "84.137"
section_name: "Inhalation and exhalation valves; check valves; minimum requirements."
chapter_name: "PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES"
subchapter_number: "G"
subchapter_name: "OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES"
part_number: "84"
part_name: "APPROVAL OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE DEVICES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "29 U.S.C. 651  30 U.S.C. 3, 5, 7, 811, 842(h), 844."
regulatory_source: "60 FR 30355, June 8, 1995, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "84"
---


# 84.137 Inhalation and exhalation valves; check valves; minimum requirements.

(a) Inhalation and exhalation valves shall be provided where necessary and protected against distortion.

(b) Exhalation valves shall be:

(1) Protected against damage and external influence; and

(2) Designed and constructed to prevent inward leakage of contaminated air.

(c) Check valves designed and constructed to allow airflow toward the facepiece only shall be provided in the connections to the facepiece or in the hose fitting near the facepiece of all Type A, AE, B, and BE supplied-air respirators.