Air Quality Laboratories, Inc. (AQL) is a nationally recognized analytical laboratory specializing in certified breathing air quality testing, NFPA 1989 compliance, and fire‑service respiratory safety programs. For more than 25 years, AQL has delivered scientifically defensible data, rapid turnaround, and expert consultation to fire departments, industrial facilities, government agencies, and engineering firms across the United States.
Our mission is clear: provide precision analytical results that directly support life‑safety operations. Every analysis is performed using validated laboratory instrumentation, rigorous quality assurance protocols, and industry‑recognized standards to ensure accuracy, reliability, and full regulatory compliance.
When your personnel rely on breathing air for survival, you need a laboratory partner with the technical expertise, operational understanding, and proven track record to protect them. AQL delivers that confidence.
Every result we generate is tied to real‑world life‑safety decisions. Our work supports firefighters and responders operating in Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) environments.
AQL's Laboratory Manager is a certified professional firefighter and Fire Department Safety Officer, bringing operational insight that most laboratories simply do not have.
Our analytical methods are aligned with CGA, NFPA, OSHA, and ANSI requirements, ensuring that your breathing air program is defensible, documented, and compliant.
Air Quality Laboratories, Inc. is an independent, third‑party analytical laboratory dedicated to compressed breathing air quality testing and fire‑service safety program support. Our services support municipal fire departments, industrial safety programs, engineering and consulting firms, laboratories, and organizations requiring certified breathing air.
AQL's Laboratory Manager brings extensive analytical laboratory experience combined with more than a decade as a certified professional firefighter. This unique combination of laboratory precision and field experience allows AQL to provide practical, relevant, and technically sound guidance to emergency service agencies.
AQL provides certified analytical testing for compressed and ambient breathing air using validated laboratory instrumentation and methodologies endorsed by the Compressed Gas Association (CGA), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and ANSI standards.
Compliance testing includes, but is not limited to:
All analyses are performed using sensitive laboratory‑grade gas chromatography (GC) and related methods-never detector tubes-ensuring the precision required for regulatory compliance.
High‑Pressure Systems (SCBA Compressors & Cascades)
Medium & Low‑Pressure Systems (Airlines, Ambient Pumps)
Client‑Owned Sampling Kit Discount
These programs include all analyses required for Grade E and NFPA 1989 specifications. Rental of the AQL Test Kit is included unless the client owns a compatible sampling kit.
Air Quality Laboratories, Inc. was accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) in the Chemical Field of Testing for breathing air analyses, based on compliance with ISO/IEC 17025. Although AQL later transitioned away from voluntary third‑party accreditation, the laboratory continues to operate under the same rigorous quality system, including documented procedures, method validation, instrument calibration, and quality control.
All analytical work is performed by a Fire Department Safety Officer certified by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal. This certification ensures direct understanding of fire‑service respiratory protection requirements, NFPA 1989, OSHA 1910.134, and practical SCBA operations.
The AQL Test Kit is a technically advanced, field‑ready compressed air sampling system designed for accuracy, ease of use, and compliance with CGA, NFPA, and OSHA requirements.
The AQL Test Kit eliminates common failure points in traditional sampling systems and provides superior sample integrity for GC analysis, ensuring compliance with CGA/ANSI G‑7.1‑2018.
Firefighters operating in Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) environments rely on SCBA air quality as their primary life‑safety protection. AQL provides certified breathing air testing specifically tailored to fire‑service operational needs.
AQL supports compliance with NFPA 1989, NFPA 1500, and OSHA 1910.134 by providing certified breathing air analyses, rapid turnaround, and expert interpretation of results. If any parameter exceeds the applicable standard, clients are notified immediately and provided with guidance on corrective actions.
These prices include all tests required for Grade E or NFPA 1989 specifications and rental of the AQL Test Kit when needed. No initial capital expenditure is required to begin a monitoring program.
Air Quality Laboratories, Inc.
961 Doral Drive
Bartlett, IL 60103‑3030
Phone: (630) 768‑1319
Laboratory Manager: Brandon Bucaro
Email: brandon@airqualitylabs.com
Start your breathing air testing program today. Contact AQL to discuss your breathing air testing schedule, fire department safety program needs, or laboratory analytical requirements. We will work with you to design a monitoring program that aligns with your operational demands and regulatory obligations.
