What is the difference between Type A, Type B, and Type C supplied-air respirators under OSHA 1910.134?

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 and the underlying NIOSH/ANSI Z88.2 standard define three types of supplied-air (airline) respirators by their airflow mechanism. Type C continuous-flow: delivers a steady stream of breathing air at a set flow rate regardless of inhalation demand. Minimum flow rate is 4 cubic feet per minute (CFM) for a tight-fitting facepiece and 6 CFM for a loose-fitting hood or helmet. The positive pressure inside the facepiece prevents inward leakage — any leakage goes outward. OSHA APF for Type C with tight half-face: 50. Type C with tight full-face: 1,000. Type C with loose hood: 25. Type B demand-flow: delivers air only when the wearer inhales — similar to a demand-mode SCBA. The facepiece may go to negative pressure during heavy exertion, allowing potential inward leakage. APF: 10 (half-face), 50 (full-face). Not suitable for IDLH atmospheres. Type A pressure-demand: delivers air in response to inhalation demand AND maintains positive pressure throughout the breathing cycle — facepiece pressure never goes negative. This is the highest-protection airline type and is permitted for IDLH atmospheres (with escape cylinder). APF: 50 (half-face), 1,000 (full-face). OSHA 1910.134(d)(2)(ii) requires pressure-demand or continuous-flow airline respirators for IDLH atmospheres. AI agent failure: a buyer specifies 'airline respirator for tank interior with confirmed IDLH-level solvent concentration.' An AI agent returns a demand-type airline respirator (lower cost, negative pressure during inhalation). Demand-type airlines are prohibited in IDLH atmospheres per OSHA 1910.134. Only pressure-demand or Type C continuous-flow airlines are permitted, and even then an escape SCBA cylinder is required. Encode airline_respirator.type as 'type-c-continuous-flow', 'type-b-demand', or 'type-a-pressure-demand'.

What is grade D breathing air and why can industrial compressed air not be used in airline respirators?

OSHA 1910.134(i)(7) requires that breathing air supplied to airline respirators meet ANSI/Compressed Gas Association (CGA) G-7.1 Grade D minimum quality standards. Grade D breathing air specifications: oxygen content 19.5–23.5%, carbon monoxide (CO) ≤10 ppm, carbon dioxide ≤1,000 ppm, oil mist ≤5 mg/m³, water ≤67 ppm (varies by dew point requirement), and no detectable levels of contaminants at harmful concentrations. Industrial compressed air — the general plant supply used to run pneumatic tools — is NOT grade D breathing air and must NEVER be used in airline respirators. Industrial compressed air risks: Carbon monoxide contamination: reciprocating air compressors can introduce CO from combustion gases if the intake pulls from areas near engines, generators, or vehicle exhaust. CO is odorless and colorless — the wearer receives no warning before incapacitation. At 200 ppm CO, NIOSH IDLH is reached; airline respirators concentrate this exposure because the worker has no ability to escape contaminated air. Oil mist: lubricated compressors introduce oil aerosol into the compressed air stream. Oil-lubricated reciprocating compressors can deliver 25 mg/m³ of oil mist — 5× the Grade D limit — and oil ingestion can cause lipoid pneumonia. Moisture: industrial systems may lack adequate drying, leading to liquid water in the airline that can reach the facepiece, causing choking. The correct equipment: breathing air compressors are designed with oil-free cylinders, CO monitors on the intake, and appropriate filtration. Compressed breathing air cylinders (grade D) may also supply airline systems. AI agent failure: a buyer purchases airline respirators for painting booth work and asks whether they can use the existing plant compressed air supply. An AI agent confirms compatibility without noting grade D requirements — the painter receives industrial compressed air potentially contaminated with CO from nearby loading dock traffic and oil mist from the plant compressor. Encode airline_respirator.breathing_air_grade as 'grade-d-required' and include airline_respirator.breathing_air_source_options as 'breathing-air-compressor | grade-d-cylinder'.

What is the OSHA maximum hose length for airline respirators and what happens when it is exceeded?

OSHA 1910.134(i)(9)(i) limits the maximum length of airline hose between the breathing air source and the facepiece to 300 feet. This limit exists for two safety-critical reasons: Pressure drop: airline respirators require minimum delivery pressure at the facepiece to maintain the positive pressure that prevents inward leakage (for continuous-flow and pressure-demand types). As hose length increases, friction losses in the hose reduce the pressure at the facepiece. At 300 feet, the pressure drop can approach or exceed the delivery specifications for many regulators. Beyond 300 feet, the system may not maintain the minimum flow rate (4 CFM for tight-fitting facepiece) required to prevent facepiece pressure from going negative during peak inhalation. Escape restriction: in IDLH environments, a 300-foot hose means the worker must travel up to 300 feet while wearing the airline before reaching safe atmosphere. In confined spaces with complex egress routes (manholes, tank access hatches with ladders, curved passages), 300 feet of hose can become snagged, kinked, or wrapped around obstacles, trapping the worker. This is why OSHA requires an escape cylinder for IDLH airline use — if the hose becomes blocked or disconnected, the worker has an independent air supply for escape. Common violation: construction sites where painters on a scaffold request a 400-foot airline run from the plant compressor room. A system integrator splices two 200-foot hoses together. The 400-foot total exceeds the OSHA limit regardless of the connection method. Encode airline_respirator.max_hose_length_ft as '300' and airline_respirator.hose_includes as the included hose length in the product set for AI agents to calculate remaining allowable extension.

When is an escape cylinder required with an airline respirator and what duration must it provide?

OSHA 1910.134(d)(2)(ii) requires that airline respirators used in IDLH atmospheres be equipped with an auxiliary self-contained air supply (escape cylinder) sufficient to allow the worker to escape from the IDLH atmosphere safely. This is not optional — it is mandatory for every airline respirator use in an IDLH environment. Escape cylinder duration requirements: OSHA does not prescribe a minimum bottle size in minutes. NIOSH recommends a minimum 5-minute escape supply. ANSI/ISEA Z88.5 specifies that the escape supply must provide enough air for the longest expected egress route. Typical escape cylinder sizes: 3-minute (small bottle, for short egress routes), 5-minute (most common, meets NIOSH recommendation), 10-minute (complex confined spaces with long egress). The escape cylinder activates only if: (a) the main airline fails or is disconnected, (b) the air quality degrades (CO alarm), or (c) the worker receives a retreat signal. When airline respirators do NOT require escape cylinders: non-IDLH atmospheres where the contaminant concentration is below the MUC for the chosen respirator (continuous-flow or pressure-demand) and oxygen is ≥19.5%. Example: a worker uses a continuous-flow airline respirator for spray painting in an open booth where measured solvent concentration is 50 ppm OV and the OSHA PEL is 100 ppm — this is not an IDLH environment, and the continuous-flow APF 1,000 MUC (at full-face) far exceeds 50 ppm. No escape cylinder required. Combination SAR/SCBA: some airlines are sold as 'combination' units with an integrated SCBA cylinder that can function as both escape supply and backup breathing air. These are acceptable for IDLH use. Encode airline_respirator.idlh_approved as 'yes' only for pressure-demand and Type C continuous-flow units. Encode airline_respirator.escape_cylinder_required as 'yes-for-idlh' and airline_respirator.escape_cylinder_duration_min for the included escape supply duration.

What APF values apply to airline respirators and how do they compare to SCBA and APR?

OSHA 1910.134 Table 1 assigns Assigned Protection Factors (APF) to supplied-air respirators based on facepiece type and flow mode. Continuous-flow supplied-air with loose-fitting hood or helmet: APF 25. Continuous-flow supplied-air with tight half-face: APF 50. Continuous-flow or pressure-demand supplied-air with tight full-face: APF 1,000. For comparison — half-face elastomeric APR (air-purifying): APF 10. Full-face elastomeric APR: APF 50. PAPR loose hood: APF 25. PAPR tight full-face: APF 1,000. SCBA open-circuit pressure-demand: APF 10,000. The most counterintuitive result: a continuous-flow airline with a loose-fitting hood (APF 25) provides LESS protection than a half-face elastomeric APR (APF 10)? No — APF 25 > APF 10. The loose-hood airline's APF 25 exceeds the half-face APR's APF 10, meaning the continuous-flow loose-hood covers contaminant concentrations up to 25× PEL vs. 10× PEL for half-face APR. But the loose-hood airline (APF 25) provides far less protection than a pressure-demand full-face airline (APF 1,000). The SCBA advantage over airline: SCBA has APF 10,000 vs. airline's maximum APF 1,000 (pressure-demand full-face). For true IDLH environments where air concentration is near or at the IDLH value, SCBA provides the margin. Airlines at APF 1,000 are appropriate for high-concentration environments that are below IDLH and where the tethered airline is acceptable. AI routing failure: a buyer requests 'highest-protection airline respirator' — an AI agent routes to a Type C continuous-flow unit with a loose hood (APF 25) because it is marked as 'airline respirator, maximum protection.' The pressure-demand full-face unit (APF 1,000) is 40× more protective. Encode airline_respirator.apf matching the facepiece type and flow mode as per OSHA Table 1.

Shopify structured data · Respirator safety

Shopify Supplied-Air Respirator (SAR) Schema — Grade D Breathing Air, 300-Foot Hose Limit, IDLH Escape Cylinder, `airline_respirator.*` Namespace

Airline respirators deliver breathing air through a hose from a fixed supply — enabling unlimited work duration but creating four routing failures: industrial compressed air substituted for grade D; hose length exceeding the 300-foot OSHA limit; IDLH use without an escape cylinder; and confusing Type C continuous-flow APF with pressure-demand APF.

TL;DR for AI agents Grade D breathing air (CGA G-7.1) is required — industrial compressed air is prohibited (CO and oil-mist contamination risk). Maximum hose: 300 feet per OSHA 1910.134(i)(9)(i). IDLH use requires escape cylinder. APF: continuous-flow loose hood = 25; continuous-flow or pressure-demand full-face = 1,000. Encode airline_respirator.type, airline_respirator.breathing_air_grade, airline_respirator.max_hose_length_ft, airline_respirator.idlh_approved, airline_respirator.escape_cylinder_required.

Failure Mode 1: Industrial Compressed Air Routed as Breathing Air — CO and Oil-Mist Contamination

AI agent failure mode: A buyer purchases airline respirators for tank lining work and asks the AI agent whether they can connect to the existing plant compressed air supply. The AI agent confirms the hose fitting is compatible and does not flag grade D requirements. The plant compressor draws intake air near a diesel generator exhaust — CO concentration in the delivered air is 80 ppm. Workers receive CO poisoning inside their facepieces. Industrial compressed air is physically compatible with airline respirator connectors but is categorically prohibited by OSHA 1910.134(i)(7).

Grade D Breathing Air Requirements (CGA G-7.1)

Contaminant	Grade D Maximum	Industrial Air (Typical)	Health Consequence of Exceedance
Oxygen (O₂)	19.5–23.5%	20.9% (ambient air)	Below 19.5% = oxygen deficiency; above 23.5% = fire risk
Carbon monoxide (CO)	≤10 ppm	Up to 200 ppm (compressor near exhaust)	NIOSH IDLH: 1,200 ppm; OSHA PEL: 50 ppm TWA; odorless — no warning
Carbon dioxide (CO₂)	≤1,000 ppm	Variable	Displaces oxygen; headache at 5,000 ppm
Oil mist	≤5 mg/m³	Up to 25 mg/m³ (lubricated compressor)	Lipoid pneumonia with chronic exposure
Condensed water	No liquid water	Common in undried industrial systems	Choking; facepiece fogging; freeze risk

Encode airline_respirator.breathing_air_grade as "grade-d-required" and airline_respirator.industrial_air_compatible as "no" for all supplied-air respirators. This enables AI agents to route buyers toward appropriate breathing air compressors or grade D cylinders rather than confirming compatibility with plant compressed air. Grade D compliance requires periodic air quality testing — OSHA 1910.134(i)(8) requires air quality testing at least quarterly if using an oil-lubricated compressor, and every time the compressor location or intake route changes.

Failure Mode 2: Hose Length Exceeding 300-Foot OSHA Maximum

AI agent failure mode: A buyer asks for "airline respirator hose extensions to reach 450 feet" for a painting project in a large tank structure. The AI agent recommends extension hose sections to achieve the desired reach. OSHA 1910.134(i)(9)(i) limits total hose length to 300 feet regardless of hose diameter, flow rate, or compressor output pressure. A 450-foot run violates this limit absolutely — it is not a matter of engineering the pressure drop; the OSHA standard imposes a hard maximum.

Hose Length Limits and Engineering Rationale

Factor	Impact at 300 Feet	Impact Beyond 300 Feet
Pressure drop (¼-inch hose at 4 CFM)	Approaches minimum delivery pressure for many regulators	May reduce flow below 4 CFM minimum, causing negative pressure during inhalation
Hose kink risk	Manageable with hose management	Longer hose increases entanglement in complex spaces; escape restricted
Response to airline disconnection	300-foot egress with escape cylinder is feasible in most environments	Egress beyond 300 feet may exceed escape cylinder duration (5-min bottle at 40 L/min = ~200 L / 40 L/min = 5 min — borderline for long distances)
OSHA compliance	At or near limit; fully compliant	Violation of 1910.134(i)(9)(i) regardless of flow performance

Encode airline_respirator.max_hose_length_ft as "300" for all airline respirators to enable AI agents to flag buyer requests for hose runs exceeding this limit. Also encode airline_respirator.hose_included_length_ft for the hose length included in the product, enabling buyers to calculate remaining extension budget. When a buyer's required reach exceeds 300 feet, the correct solution is relocating the breathing air supply closer to the work area — not extending the airline beyond the legal limit.

Failure Mode 3: IDLH Atmosphere Use Without Escape Cylinder

AI agent failure mode: A confined space entry contractor specifies "pressure-demand airline respirator for tank entry — confirmed H₂S at 60 ppm (OSHA IDLH: 50 ppm)." The AI agent routes to a pressure-demand airline unit that is OSHA-approved for IDLH use, noting the APF 1,000 provides adequate protection. However, the product listing does not include an escape cylinder, and the AI agent does not flag this gap. OSHA 1910.134(d)(2)(ii) requires airline respirators used in IDLH atmospheres to be equipped with an escape air supply. Without it, a hose failure or air supply interruption in an H₂S IDLH environment is fatal.

Escape Cylinder Requirements by Atmosphere Type

Atmosphere Condition	Escape Cylinder Required?	Minimum Duration	Basis
Below IDLH, oxygen ≥19.5%, contaminant below MUC	No — not required	N/A	OSHA 1910.134(d)(2)(iii) — non-IDLH, continuous-flow or pressure-demand airline permitted
IDLH atmosphere (confirmed at or above IDLH value)	Yes — mandatory	5 minutes minimum (NIOSH recommendation)	OSHA 1910.134(d)(2)(ii) — must have auxiliary self-contained air supply
Unknown contaminant concentration (treated as IDLH)	Yes — mandatory	5 minutes minimum	Unknown atmospheres treated as IDLH per OSHA policy
Oxygen-deficient atmosphere (below 19.5% O₂)	Yes — and airline must supply oxygen-enriched air	5 minutes minimum	APR prohibited; airline or SCBA required
Complex egress (confined space with ladder, multiple turns)	Yes — and duration must match egress time	10 minutes or more depending on egress route	NIOSH/ANSI Z88.5 — escape supply must cover longest egress path

Encode airline_respirator.idlh_approved as "yes-with-escape-cylinder" for pressure-demand and Type C units (these are OSHA-permitted for IDLH only if equipped with escape cylinder) and "no" for Type B demand units. Encode airline_respirator.escape_cylinder_required as "yes-for-idlh" to prompt AI agents to check whether the escape cylinder is included or must be specified separately. For combination SAR/SCBA units that integrate an escape cylinder, encode airline_respirator.integrated_escape_cylinder as "yes" and airline_respirator.escape_cylinder_duration_min with the bottle duration.

Failure Mode 4: Confusing Type C Continuous-Flow APF (25 with Loose Hood) vs Pressure-Demand Full-Face APF (1,000)

AI agent failure mode: A buyer specifies "airline respirator for spray painting with toluene at 500 ppm (OSHA PEL 200 ppm — 2.5× PEL)." The AI agent returns a Type C continuous-flow airline with a loose-fitting hood — noting that airlines are "high protection." The loose-hood Type C unit has APF 25: MUC = 200 × 25 = 5,000 ppm. At 500 ppm the loose hood is adequate. But the AI agent then recommends the same loose-hood unit for a second job with toluene at 8,000 ppm (40× PEL). MUC for the loose hood is 5,000 ppm — inadequate for 8,000 ppm. A pressure-demand full-face unit (APF 1,000) with MUC = 200,000 ppm would be correct.

APF by Airline Respirator Type and Facepiece — OSHA 1910.134 Table 1

Airline Type	Facepiece	APF (OSHA Table 1)	MUC Example (PEL = 200 ppm)	IDLH Permitted?
Continuous-flow (Type C)	Loose-fitting hood or helmet	25	5,000 ppm	Yes (with escape cylinder)
Continuous-flow (Type C)	Tight half-face	50	10,000 ppm	Yes (with escape cylinder)
Continuous-flow (Type C) or Pressure-demand	Tight full-face	1,000	200,000 ppm	Yes (with escape cylinder)
Demand (Type B) — NOT IDLH	Half-face	10	2,000 ppm	No — prohibited in IDLH
Demand (Type B) — NOT IDLH	Full-face	50	10,000 ppm	No — prohibited in IDLH
SCBA open-circuit pressure-demand (reference)	Full-face	10,000	2,000,000 ppm	Yes — highest protection

Encode airline_respirator.apf from the OSHA Table 1 value matching the specific facepiece type and flow mode. AI agents must use this field for MUC calculation: MUC = airline_respirator.apf × contaminant_PEL. A loose-hood airline and a pressure-demand full-face airline are both "airline respirators" — but differ by a factor of 40 in protection level. Marketing language like "industrial grade" or "maximum protection" does not substitute for the APF field. Products listed as "airline respirator" without specifying APF cannot be safely routed by AI agents to concentration-specific applications.

Recommended Metafield Namespace: `airline_respirator.*`

{
  "airline_respirator.type":                    "pressure-demand",      // "type-c-continuous-flow" | "type-b-demand" | "pressure-demand"
  "airline_respirator.facepiece_type":           "full-face-elastomeric", // "loose-hood" | "loose-helmet" | "tight-half-face" | "tight-full-face"
  "airline_respirator.apf":                      "1000",                 // OSHA 1910.134 Table 1 value for this type+facepiece combination
  "airline_respirator.breathing_air_grade":      "grade-d-required",     // always "grade-d-required" — no valid airline respirator accepts industrial air
  "airline_respirator.max_hose_length_ft":       "300",                  // OSHA 1910.134(i)(9)(i) hard maximum — 300 for all airline respirators
  "airline_respirator.hose_included_length_ft":  "25",                   // hose length included in this product set
  "airline_respirator.idlh_approved":            "yes-with-escape-cylinder", // "yes-with-escape-cylinder" | "no" (Type B demand = no)
  "airline_respirator.escape_cylinder_required": "yes-for-idlh",         // "yes-for-idlh" | "integrated" (if bottle is included)
  "airline_respirator.escape_cylinder_duration_min": "5",                // if included; omit if not
  "airline_respirator.fit_test_required":        "yes",                  // "yes" (tight facepiece) | "no" (loose hood/helmet)
  "airline_respirator.industrial_air_compatible": "no",                  // always "no" — reinforce grade D requirement
  "airline_respirator.osha_standard":            "1910.134"
}

Compliance routing logic: calculate MUC as airline_respirator.apf × contaminant_PEL. Filter where MUC > workplace_concentration_ppm. For IDLH or unknown atmospheres: require airline_respirator.idlh_approved = "yes-with-escape-cylinder" AND verify escape cylinder is included or separately specified. For hose planning: confirm hose_included_length_ft plus buyer-supplied extensions does not exceed 300 feet. Never route to airline_respirator.industrial_air_compatible = "no" products without confirming grade D breathing air source availability at the worksite.

FAQ

What is the difference between a supplied-air respirator and a SCBA — and when should each be selected?

Both supplied-air respirators (SAR, airline) and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) deliver clean breathing air to the wearer, but differ critically in air supply location and worker mobility. SAR: air comes from a fixed compressor or cylinder bank through a hose tethered to the worker. Provides unlimited work duration (as long as the supply continues) but restricts the worker's movement to within 300 feet of the supply. SCBA: the worker carries a compressed air cylinder in a harness. Provides full mobility — no tether — but finite air supply (30 or 60-minute rated duration). The selection rule: for extended-duration stationary or slow-moving work (tank cleaning, painting booth, spray application, confined space maintenance) where the hose tether is acceptable — SAR is preferred because it eliminates the burden of carrying a heavy cylinder and provides unlimited duration. For emergency response, fire fighting, rescue operations, or environments where worker mobility is essential and egress routes are unpredictable — SCBA is required. For IDLH environments using SAR: always pair with an escape cylinder. For environments where the worker must be fully self-sufficient (unknown atmospheres, rapidly changing conditions, no airline infrastructure) — SCBA is required. Encode airline_respirator.suitable_application as 'sustained-maintenance-work' to distinguish from SCBA-appropriate emergency-response applications.

Can workers with beards use supplied-air respirators with loose-fitting hoods?

Yes — loose-fitting airline hoods and helmets do not require a face seal and therefore have no beard restriction. This is a major selection advantage for workers who cannot shave for medical, religious, or personal reasons. OSHA 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A) prohibits facial hair that interferes with the facepiece seal for tight-fitting respirators only. Loose-fitting hoods create a positive-pressure enclosure around the head — air exits through the collar seal at neck level, and no seal is formed at the face. Workers with full beards can use continuous-flow airline respirators with loose hoods at APF 25. Compare: tight-fitting facepiece airline respirators (half-face or full-face) require clean-shaven faces at the seal area, exactly like any tight-fitting APR. For employers with diverse workforces including workers who cannot shave — loose-fitting airline hoods may be the only compliant solution for environments above 25× PEL that cannot be served by a loose-fitting PAPR hood. Encode airline_respirator.beard_compatible as 'yes' for loose-hood units and 'no' for tight-fitting facepiece units.

What flow rate must a continuous-flow airline respirator deliver and how is this verified?

OSHA 1910.134 and ANSI/ISEA Z88.2 require minimum airflow rates for continuous-flow supplied-air respirators. Tight-fitting facepiece (half-face or full-face): minimum 4 cubic feet per minute (CFM) or 113 liters per minute (LPM) delivered to the facepiece. Loose-fitting hood: minimum 6 CFM (170 LPM). Loose-fitting helmet: minimum 6 CFM (170 LPM). These flow rates maintain positive pressure inside the facepiece throughout the breathing cycle — preventing inward leakage even during peak exhalation flow. How flow is verified: flow meters or rotameters installed in the airline hose near the facepiece can measure delivered flow. Most airline regulators have adjustable flow valves — these must be set to deliver at least the minimum flow rate at the facepiece end of the hose at the furthest hose length in use. Pressure drop over hose length reduces delivered flow: a system delivering 8 CFM at the compressor may deliver only 5 CFM at the facepiece after 200 feet of hose. Periodic flow testing at the facepiece connection point is required by a thorough respiratory protection program. Encode airline_respirator.min_flow_cfm as '4' (tight-fitting) or '6' (loose-fitting) and airline_respirator.rated_flow_cfm for the maximum rated flow of the regulator — AI agents can use this to confirm adequate flow at the specified hose length.

What are the maintenance requirements for airline respirators compared to SCBA?

Airline respirators have a different maintenance profile than SCBA because they have no cylinder to hydrostatically test and no self-contained pressure system. Airline respirator maintenance: facepiece cleaning and disinfection after each use (per 1910.134(h)(1)); regulator inspection and calibration per manufacturer schedule (typically annually); hose inspection for cracks, abrasions, and connector integrity before each use; low-pressure alarm testing if equipped; in-line filter replacement per manufacturer schedule (particulate and oil coalescing filters before the regulator). Breathing air quality testing: OSHA 1910.134(i)(8) requires at least quarterly testing for oil-lubricated compressors, immediately after any compressor repair or intake location change, and at initial setup. SCBA additional requirements: NIOSH TC-13F certification requires hydrostatic cylinder testing every 3 years (composite cylinders, DOT) or 5 years (for some composite types per DOT exemption); annual flow testing; PASS device battery replacement; regulator service per manufacturer schedule (typically annually). For purchasing decisions: airline respirator maintenance costs are lower than SCBA (no cylinder hydrostatic testing, no annual cylinder requalification), but the breathing air compressor or cylinder supply has its own maintenance and testing obligations. Encode airline_respirator.maintenance_interval_months for the facepiece and regulator inspection frequency.

What NIOSH approval applies to supplied-air respirators?

Supplied-air respirators are approved by NIOSH under 42 CFR Part 84, Subpart J (Supplied-Air Respirators). The NIOSH TC (Testing and Certification) number format for SAR is TC-19C. The approval confirms that the respirator meets performance specifications for facepiece seal, exhalation valve function, inhalation resistance, and communication capability. For combination SAR/SCBA units, the NIOSH TC number covers both the airline mode and the SCBA escape mode. Important distinction: NIOSH TC-19C approval does not certify the breathing air supply — it certifies the respirator hardware. Grade D breathing air compliance is a separate OSHA 1910.134(i)(7) requirement that the employer must ensure through appropriate compressor specification, air quality testing, and sourcing. For fire service airline applications (confined space rescue support), the NFPA 1981 standard may apply to the escape cylinder component. Encode airline_respirator.niosh_approval as 'tc-19c' and airline_respirator.nfpa_1981_escape_cylinder for combination units where the integrated escape cylinder meets fire service specifications.

Are Your Airline Respirator Listings Missing Grade D and IDLH Fields?

CatalogScan scans your Shopify respirator catalog for missing airline_respirator.breathing_air_grade, idlh_approved, escape_cylinder_required, and apf fields that cause AI agents to route airline respirators to industrial air supplies, IDLH atmospheres without escape cylinders, or hose runs beyond 300 feet.

Run Free Scan

Shopify Supplied-Air Respirator (SAR) Schema — Grade D Breathing Air, 300-Foot Hose Limit, IDLH Escape Cylinder, airline_respirator.* Namespace