99-02 - Facial Hair

Question 1

It is the responsibility of all Officers to ensure that…

Answer 1

…..this policy is adhered to,

Question 2

All BFES personnel who are required to wear SCBA in the course of their duties are required to….

Answer 2

….be clean shaven at all times when on-duty, such that no hair comes between the face piece seal and the skin.

Question 3

Individuals shall present themselves for FIT testing free from…

Answer 3

…interference of hair where the respirator seals tot he soon of the face or neck.

(Although the rate of hair growth varies for may, this requires being clean shaven within the previous 24 or preferably 12 hours to ensure that hair neither infringes on the sealing surfaces of the respirator nor interfere with valve or respirator function

Question 4

Individuals shall present themselves for FIT testing in the same personal condition they would expect to be in when using the respirator. This includes…

Answer 4

• hair styles (eg hair buns)
• and wearing or not wearing dentures
• eyeglasses
• contact lenses

Question 5

Individuals shall present themselves for FIT testing in such a way that personal accessories such as…..

Answer 5

….head coverings, garments, facial jewellery or other items shall not come between the skin and the sealing surface of the respirator.

Question 6

PPE

Answer 6

When PPE such as eye, face, head or hearing protectors or protective garments are required to be worn during respirator use, they shall be worn during respirator FIT testing to ensure that the respirator seal is not compromised.

Question 7

FIT testers

Answer 7

shall follow the requirements of the program and shall not perform a fit test if they observe that a person is not free from interference where the respirator seals to the face or neck

Question 8

Individuals who are unwilling or otherwise unable to comply

Answer 8

with the interference free requirement, or who are unable to obtain an acceptable fit, shall be prohibited from using a tight fitting respirator.