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42 CFR § 84.203 - Breathing resistance test; minimum requirements. 

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t42/s84.203"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "42 CFR § 84.203 - Breathing resistance test; minimum requirements."
title_number: 42
title_name: "Public Health"
section_number: "84.203"
section_name: "Breathing resistance test; 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"
---

# 84.203 Breathing resistance test; minimum requirements.

(a) Resistance to airflow will be measured in the facepiece, mouthpiece, hood, or helmet of a chemical cartridge respirator mounted on a test fixture with air flowing at a continuous rate of 85 liters per minute, both before and after each test conducted in accordance with §§ 84.206 through 84.207.

(b) The maximum allowable resistance requirements for chemical cartridge respirators are as follows:

Maximum Resistance

[Millimeter water column height]

|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Other than single-use vinyl chloride respirators: |  |  |  |
| For gases, vapors, or gases and vapors | 40 | 45 | 20 |
| For gases, vapors, or gases and vapors, and particulates | 50 | 70 | 20 |
| Single-use respirator with valves: |  |  |  |
| For vinyl chloride | 20 | 25 | 20 |
| For vinyl chloride and particulates | 30 | 45 | 2 |
| Single-use respirator without valves: |  |  |  |
| For vinyl chloride | 15 | 20 | () |
| For vinyl chloride and particulates | 25 | 40 | () |
| Measured at end of service life specified in Table 11 of this subpart. |  |  |  |
| Same as inhalation. |  |  |  |