Current Respirator Classes Corresponding to Old Respirators Including Changes/Restrictions for Use of Old Respirators (APFs from NIOSH's 2004 Respirator Selection Logic)


                                       
                           Current Respirator Class
                                       
                              Old Respirator Type
                                       
                                      APF
                                       
           Any Changes/Restrictions for Use of Old Respirator Types
Any pressure-demand supplied-air respirator equipped with a full facepiece.

Category 19C Type C supplied-air respirator operated in pressure demand or other positive pressure mode and equipped with a full facepiece.
2,000
No changes or restrictions.
Any continuous flow supplied-air respirator equipped with a tight-fitting facepiece (half or full facepiece).
Category 19C Type C supplied-air respirator operated in pressure demand or continuous flow mode and equipped with a tight-fitting facepiece.
50
No changes or restrictions.
Any continuous flow supplied-air respirator equipped with a hood or helmet.


Category 19C Type C supplied-air respirator operated in pressure demand or continuous flow mode and equipped with a hood or helmet or tight-fitting facepiece.
25
No changes or restrictions.
Any air-purifying full facepiece respirator equipped with N-100, R-100, or P-100 filter(s). 


Category 21C air-purifying respirator equipped with a full facepiece and high efficiency particulate filters.
50
Particulate filters are now only approved as N/R/P series filters and older high efficiency (HEPA)/ Dust Mist (DM)/ Dust Fume Mist (DFM) filters should not be used.[1] They are now approved under the 84A schedule.  
Any powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) equipped with a tight-fitting facepiece (half or full facepiece) and a high-efficiency filter.
Category 21C powered air-purifying respirator equipped with a tight-fitting facepiece and high efficiency particulate filters
50
PAPR filters are now only approved as HE filters and older HEPA/DM/DFM filters should not be used.  
Any powered air-purifying respirator equipped with a hood or helmet and a high efficiency  filter. 

Category 21C powered air-purifying respirator equipped with a loose-fitting hood or helmet and high efficiency particulate filters.
25
PAPR filters are now only approved as HE filters and older HEPA/DM/DFM filters should not be used.  
Any air-purifying full facepiece respirator equipped with N-100, R-100, or P-100 filter(s).

Category 21C air-purifying respirator equipped with a high efficiency particulate filter including disposable respirators.
50
Particulate filters are now only approved as N/R/P series filters and older HEPA/DM/DFM filters should not be used. [1]  They are now approved under the 84A schedule.  
Any air-purifying full facepiece respirator equipped with appropriate gas/vapor cartridges in combination with an N-100, R-100 or P-100 filter or an appropriate canister incorporating an N-100, P-100 or R-100 filter.

Category 23C air-purifying respirator equipped with a full facepiece and combination cartridges approved for paints, lacquers, and enamels. (Approval label may preclude use for some paints, lacquers, or enamels.)

50
Particulate filters are now only approved as N/R/P series filters and older HEPA/DM/DFM filters or paint spray respirators should not be used. [1]  They are now approved under the 84A schedule.  
Any powered air-purifying respirator with a tight-fitting facepiece (half or full facepiece) equipped with appropriate gas/vapor cartridges in combination with a high-efficiency filter or an appropriate canister incorporating a high-efficiency filter.
Category 23C powered air-purifying respirator equipped with a tight-fitting facepiece and combination cartridges approved for paints, lacquers, and enamels. (Approval label may preclude use for some paints, lacquers, or enamels.)
50
There is no change to the schedule for this class; however, only HE filters may be used on PAPRs.
Any powered air-purifying respirator with a loose-fitting hood or helmet that is equipped with an appropriate gas/vapor cartridge in combination with a high-efficiency particulate filter.

Category 23C powered air-purifying respirator equipped with a loose-fitting hood or helmet and combination cartridges approved for paints, lacquers, and enamels. (Approval label may preclude use for some paints, lacquers, or enamels.)
25
There is no change to the schedule for this class; however, only HE filters may be used on PAPRs.
Any air-purifying full facepiece respirator equipped with appropriate gas/vapor cartridges in combination with an N-100, R-100 or P-100 filter or an appropriate canister incorporating an N-100, P-100 or R-100 filter.
Category 23C air-purifying respirator equipped with combination cartridges approved for paints, lacquers, and enamels, including disposable respirators. (Approval label may preclude use for some paints, lacquers, or enamels.)
50
The schedule that these would be approved under is 84A.
Any air-purifying full facepiece respirator equipped with appropriate gas/vapor cartridges or gas mask (canister respirator).
Category 23C air-purifying respirator equipped with a full facepiece and organic gas/vapor cartridges.
50
Gas mask configurations are approved under schedule 14G.
Any powered air-purifying respirator equipped with a tight-fitting facepiece (half or full facepiece) and appropriate gas/vapor cartridges or canisters.
Category 23C powered air-purifying respirator equipped with a tight-fitting facepiece and organic gas/vapor cartridges.
50

No changes or restrictions
Any powered air-purifying respirator with a loose-fitting hood or helmet equipped with appropriate gas/vapor cartridges.
Category 23C powered air-purifying respirator equipped with a loose-fitting hood or helmet and organic gas/vapor cartridges.
25

No changes or restrictions
Any powered air-purifying respirator equipped with a tight-fitting facepiece (half or full facepiece) and appropriate gas/vapor cartridges or canisters
Category 23C air-purifying respirator equipped with organic gas/vapor cartridges, including disposable respirators
50
No changes or restrictions

1  Because both the 99% and 95% filters outperform the DM and DFM filter classes, there may be situations where the 99% or 95% filters are an appropriate substitute for a HEPA filter.  
If you are currently using a DFM or DM filter:
 In a work setting free of oil aerosols, the minimally protective filter would be an N-95. 
 In a work setting that may contain or does contain oil aerosols, the minimally protective filter would be an R-95 or P-95.
If you are currently using a HEPA filter:
 In a work setting free of oil aerosols, an N-100 filter would be protective.  
 In a work setting that contains or may contain oil aerosols, an R-100 or P-100 filter would be protective.  
    


