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How to Put On and Fit-Check a Flat-Fold N95 Respirator
Even a high-filtration respirator offers little protection if air leaks around the edges. A fit check takes less than a minute and should be done every single time you put a respirator on.
Key takeaways
- Do a fit check every single time you put on a respirator.
- Mould the nose clip with both hands, not by pinching with one.
- Facial hair under the seal stops a respirator working properly.
- Fit testing (once per model) and fit checking (every time) are different things.
Before you start
- Clean your hands with soap and water or hand sanitiser.
- Check the respirator is in date, dry and undamaged, with both straps intact.
- Be clean-shaven where the respirator seals. Stubble and beards stop it sealing.
- Tie back long hair and remove anything that sits under the seal.
Putting on a flat-fold respirator
- Open it out. Unfold the panels and gently bend the nose clip into a slight curve.
- Position it. Hold it under your chin with the nose clip at the top, covering your nose and mouth.
- Fit the straps. Pull the bottom strap over your head to sit around your neck below your ears, then the top strap to sit high on the back of your head. Don't cross the straps.
- Mould the nose clip. Using the fingertips of both hands, press the clip along both sides of your nose, working outwards. Pinching with one hand creates a gap.
- Adjust. Ease the panels so the respirator sits comfortably under the chin with no folds at the seal.
The fit check
Positive pressure check
Cover the front of the respirator with your hands without pushing it out of position and breathe out sharply. You should feel slight pressure inside. If you feel air escaping around the nose or edges, readjust and try again.
Negative pressure check
Cover the front and breathe in sharply. The respirator should pull slightly towards your face. If air leaks in, readjust the nose clip and straps.
If you can't get a seal after adjusting, try a different size or model. A formal fit test confirms which models suit your face.
Common problems
- Glasses fogging: usually a leak at the nose. Re-mould the clip with both hands.
- Straps slipping: make sure one strap sits on the neck and one high on the crown.
- Uncomfortable after a long shift: take breaks in a safe area and replace the respirator rather than repeatedly pulling it down.
Taking it off safely
Don't touch the front, which may be contaminated. Lean forward, remove the bottom strap and then the top strap, and dispose of the respirator in the appropriate bin. Clean your hands straight away.
When to replace it
Replace your respirator if it becomes wet, dirty, damaged, deformed or harder to breathe through, or as your workplace policy requires.
Fit check vs fit test
| Fit check | Fit test | |
|---|---|---|
| Who does it | The wearer | A trained fit tester |
| When | Every time the respirator is put on | Before first use of a model, and periodically or when the face changes |
| What it shows | Obvious leaks today | Whether the model can seal on your face |
| Equipment | None | Qualitative (taste) or quantitative (particle counting) test kit |
Printable checklist
- Hands clean
- Respirator in date, dry, undamaged
- Clean-shaven at the seal; hair tied back
- Bottom strap on the neck, top strap high on the crown
- Nose clip moulded with both hands
- Positive pressure check passed
- Negative pressure check passed
- Don't touch the front while wearing
Feel free to print this checklist and stick it near your PPE station.
Need respirators for your team?
The Harley N95 Flat Fold 188 ships the same business day when ordered by 12pm (Melbourne time), Monday to Friday.
Harley N95 Flat Fold 188 →All respirators →Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my N95 is sealed properly?
Do a positive and negative pressure check. Breathing out sharply should create slight pressure inside the respirator, and breathing in should pull it gently toward your face. Air escaping around the edges means it isn't sealed.
Can I wear an N95 with a beard?
Facial hair where the respirator meets the skin prevents a proper seal, so respirators are not effective over beards or stubble. A clean-shaven seal area, or a different type of respiratory protection, is needed.
Why do my glasses fog up with a mask?
Fogging usually means air is escaping at the top of the respirator. Re-mould the nose clip with the fingertips of both hands so it follows the shape of your nose.
How often do workers need fit testing?
Fit testing is done before a worker first uses a particular respirator model and repeated periodically, commonly annually, or when something changes such as weight, dental work or a new model. Follow your workplace's respiratory protection program.
Related guides
- N95 vs P2 vs Surgical Masks: What's the Difference and When Do You Need Each?
- How Much PPE Do You Need? A Stock Planning Guide for Clinics and Care Providers
- What Should Be in a Workplace First Aid Kit? An Australian Checklist
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: October 2026 by the Innovation Project team.