Respiratory Testing Laboratory

QSi have been manufacturing face masks and respirators for over 15 years. With increased demand during 2020, due to Covid-19, QSi’s new ownership has invested heavily to build an on-site respiratory testing facility.

QSi manufactures to the current local AS/NZS 1716:2012 standard. This is the performance standard and contains evaluation areas that a manufacturer must meet. As QSi has nominated conformity to this standard, and we have the test reports from external accredited testing laboratories to support this.

The QSi P2 Duckbill Respirator must have the following:

• A filter performance of >94%
• Inhalation resistance using a flowrate of 30L/min of <70Pa to simulate light breathing
• Inhalation resistance using a flowrate of 95L/min of <240Pa to simulate moderate breathing
• Exhalation resistance using a flowrate of 85L/min of <120Pa simulating moderate breathing
• Strap attachment or strength able to withstand a force of 10N or 2.25lbf for 10 seconds

Having a stable supply chain and quick turn around is important to QSi, and we cannot afford any delays from international testing, annual evaluation nor a small sampling number to represent our manufacturing capacity. Therefore, our Respiratory Testing Laboratory has the latest testing equipment used in Australia that allows us to sample and analyse directly from the production line 24/7.

As part of our on-site testing and QA/QC program, our respirators undergo hourly batch testing where we test and record inhalation and exhalation breathing resistance and filtration efficiency – all done in a controlled laboratory setting. You will be pleased to know that QSi does not just aim for >94% filtration we ensure that our respirators achieve a filtration efficiency of >98%.

We have implemented in-house testing as part of our assurances to you that our P2 respirators exceed the requirements and ensure that the wearer is protected. Our external auditor and certifier, BSI, regularly assesses our manufacturing and testing facilities to certify we are meeting these conformity claims and has awarded us with a benchmark product we are proud to say is made in New Zealand.