N95s with a thick edge, like the 3M 8210Plus, seem more likely to fit than the tent-style KN95s. P100s with a rubber interface have had a pretty good (but not perfect) success rate, conditional on the straps being tight enough to bend the rubber a little. A Narwall mask can be checked for fit without using a fit test kit, by covering the input vent with your hand, breathing in and felling the pressure (but that kind of mask is incompatible with glasses).
A seal check (the procedure you mentioned) can’t replace a fit test. For maximum protection, full-face respirators like the Narwall seem to require a quantitative fit test to be performed (rather than a qualitative fit test which is performed using a nebulizer). Unfortunately, the Narwall isn’t designed for the quantitative test, and so, it can’t be fit tested.
My own personal experience with (non rubber/P100) respirators is that one with headbands (rather than ear loops) and a nose clip + nose foam is more likely to seal well.
To minimize the risk of getting counterfeits, it’s probably better to buy from a trusted retailer and prefer respirators for which the manufacturer offers some validation procedure (e.g. this one).
Do you have tips on how to not fail without having one of these test kits? Which N95s work best? Do rubber P100s tend to fit better?
N95s with a thick edge, like the 3M 8210Plus, seem more likely to fit than the tent-style KN95s. P100s with a rubber interface have had a pretty good (but not perfect) success rate, conditional on the straps being tight enough to bend the rubber a little. A Narwall mask can be checked for fit without using a fit test kit, by covering the input vent with your hand, breathing in and felling the pressure (but that kind of mask is incompatible with glasses).
A seal check (the procedure you mentioned) can’t replace a fit test. For maximum protection, full-face respirators like the Narwall seem to require a quantitative fit test to be performed (rather than a qualitative fit test which is performed using a nebulizer). Unfortunately, the Narwall isn’t designed for the quantitative test, and so, it can’t be fit tested.
https://tsi.com/getmedia/3d247f13-bb31-4ec5-921b-92aa6360cc4c/ITI-032?ext=.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xyNg2s1u7c
This might be better as it’s own top level question. How about creating the question yourself?
My own personal experience with (non rubber/P100) respirators is that one with headbands (rather than ear loops) and a nose clip + nose foam is more likely to seal well.
To minimize the risk of getting counterfeits, it’s probably better to buy from a trusted retailer and prefer respirators for which the manufacturer offers some validation procedure (e.g. this one).