ISO/TC 142/WG 3 - General ventilation filters

This document establishes a conditioning method to determine the minimum fractional test efficiency. It is intended to be used in conjunction with ISO 16890‑1, ISO 16890‑2 and ISO 16890‑3, and provides the related test requirements for the test device and conditioning cabinet as well as the conditioning procedure to follow. The conditioning method described in this document is referring to a test device with a nominal face area of 610 mm × 610 mm (24 inches × 24 inches). This document refers to particulate air filter elements for general ventilation having an ePM1 efficiency less than or equal to 99 % and an ePM10 efficiency greater than 20 % when tested according to the procedures defined within the ISO 16890 series. NOTE The lower limit for this test procedure is set at a minimum ePM10 efficiency of 20 % since it will be very difficult for a test filter element below this level to meet the statistical validity requirements of this procedure. Filter elements used in portable room-air cleaners are excluded from the scope of this document.

This document describes a procedure for measuring the performance of general ventilation air cleaning devices in their end use installed configuration. The performance measurements include removal efficiency by particle size and the resistance to airflow. The test procedures include the definition and reporting of the system airflow. The procedure describes a method of counting ambient air particles of 0,3 μm to 5,0 μm upstream and downstream of the in-place air cleaner(s) in a functioning air handling system. The procedure describes the reduction of particle counter data to calculate removal efficiency by particle size. Since filter installations vary dramatically in design and shape, a protocol for evaluating the suitability of a site for filter evaluation and for system evaluation is included. When the evaluated site conditions meet the minimum criteria established for system evaluation, the performance evaluation of the system can also be performed according to this procedure. This document also describes performance specifications for the testing equipment and defines procedures for calculating and reporting the results. This document is not intended for measuring performance of portable or movable room air cleaners or for evaluation of filter installations with an expected filtration efficiency at or above 99 % or at or below 30 % when measured at 0,4 μm.

This document specifies the aerosol production, the test equipment and the test methods used for measuring fractional efficiency and air flow resistance of air filters for general ventilation. It is intended to be used in conjunction with ISO 16890‑1, ISO 16890‑3 and ISO 16890‑4. The test method described in this document is applicable for air flow rates between 0,25 m3/s (900 m3/h, 530 ft3/min) and 1,5 m3/s (5 400 m3/h, 3 178 ft3/min), referring to a test rig with a nominal face area of 610 mm × 610 mm (24.0 inches × 24.0 inches). This document refers to particulate air filter elements for general ventilation having an ePM1 efficiency less than or equal to 99 % and an ePM10 efficiency greater than 20 % when tested as per the procedures defined within the ISO 16890 series. NOTE The lower limit for this test procedure is set at a minimum ePM10 efficiency of 20 % since it is very difficult for a test filter element below this level to meet the statistical validity requirements of this procedure. This document is not applicable to filter elements used in portable room-air cleaners.

ISO 16890-3:2016 specifies the test equipment and the test methods used for measuring the gravimetric efficiency and resistance to air flow of air filter for general ventilation. It is intended for use in conjunction with ISO 16890‑1, ISO 16890‑2 and ISO 16890‑4. The test method described in this part of ISO 16890 is applicable for air flow rates between 0,25 m3/s (900 m3/h, 530 ft3/min) and 1,5 m3/s (5 400 m3/h, 3 178 ft3/min), referring to a test rig with a nominal face area of 610 mm × 610 mm (24 in × 24 in). ISO 16890 (all parts) refers to particulate air filter elements for general ventilation having an ePM1 efficiency less than or equal to 99 % and an ePM10 efficiency greater than 20 % when tested as per the procedures defined within ISO 16890 (all parts). Air filter elements outside of this aerosol fraction are evaluated by other applicable test methods. See ISO 29463 (all parts). Filter elements used in portable room-air cleaners are excluded from the scope of this part of ISO 16890. The performance results obtained in accordance with ISO 16890 (all parts) cannot by themselves be quantitatively applied to predict performance in service with regard to efficiency and lifetime.

ISO 16890-1:2016 establishes an efficiency classification system of air filters for general ventilation based upon particulate matter (PM). It also provides an overview of the test procedures, and specifies general requirements for assessing and marking the filters, as well as for documenting the test results. It is intended for use in conjunction with ISO 16890‑2, ISO 16890‑3 and ISO 16890‑4. The test method described in this part of ISO 16890 is applicable for air flow rates between 0,25 m3/s (900 m3/h, 530 ft3/min) and 1,5 m3/s (5 400 m3/h, 3 178 ft3/min), referring to a test rig with a nominal face area of 610 mm × 610 mm (24 inch × 24 inch). ISO 16890 (all parts) refers to particulate air filter elements for general ventilation having an ePM1 efficiency less than or equal to 99 % when tested according to the procedures defined within ISO 16890‑1, ISO 16890‑2, ISO 16890‑3 and ISO 16890‑4. Air filter elements with a higher initial efficiency are evaluated by other applicable test methods (see ISO 29463-1, ISO 29463-2, ISO 29463-3, ISO 29463-4 and ISO 29463-5). Filter elements used in portable room-air cleaners are excluded from the scope of this part of ISO 16890. The performance results obtained in accordance with ISO 16890 (all parts) cannot by themselves be quantitatively applied to predict performance in service with regard to efficiency and lifetime. Other factors influencing performance to be taken into account are described in Annex A.

ISO 15957:2015 defines the properties of load test dusts used for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) air filters as well as air cleaning equipment in laboratories. Test dusts used for evaluation of efficiency performance are not included.

ISO 16890-2:2016 specifies the aerosol production, the test equipment and the test methods used for measuring fractional efficiency and air flow resistance of air filters for general ventilation. It is intended for use in conjunction with ISO 16890‑1, ISO 16890‑3 and ISO 16890‑4. The test method described in this part of ISO 16890 is applicable for air flow rates between 0,25 m3/s (900 m3/h, 530 ft3/min) and 1,5 m3/s (5 400 m3/h, 3 178 ft3/min), referring to a test rig with a nominal face area of 610 mm × 610 mm (24,0 inch × 24,0 inch). ISO 16890 (all parts) refers to particulate air filter elements for general ventilation having an ePM1 efficiency less than or equal to 99 % and an ePM10 efficiency greater than 20 % when tested as per the procedures defined within ISO 16890 (all parts). NOTE The lower limit for this test procedure is set at a minimum ePM10 efficiency of 20 % since it will be very difficult for a test filter element below this level to meet the statistical validity requirements of this procedure. Air filter elements outside of this aerosol fraction are evaluated by other applicable test methods, (see ISO 29463 (all parts)). Filter elements used in portable room-air cleaners are excluded from the scope. The performance results obtained in accordance with ISO 16890 (all parts) cannot by themselves be quantitatively applied to predict performance in service with regard to efficiency and lifetime.

ISO 16890-4:2016 establishes a conditioning method to determine the minimum fractional test efficiency. It is intended for use in conjunction with ISO 16890‑1, ISO 16890‑2 and ISO 16890‑3, and provides the related test requirements for the test device and conditioning cabinet as well as the conditioning procedure to follow. The conditioning method described in this part of ISO 16890 is referring to a test device with a nominal face area of 610 mm × 610 mm (24 inch × 24 inch). ISO 16890 (all parts) refers to particulate air filter elements for general ventilation having an ePM1 efficiency less than or equal to 99 % and an ePM10 efficiency greater than 20 % when tested according to the procedures defined within ISO 16890 (all parts). NOTE The lower limit for this test procedure is set at a minimum ePM10 efficiency of 20 % since it will be very difficult for a test filter element below this level to meet the statistical validity requirements of this procedure. Air filter elements outside of this aerosol fraction are evaluated by other applicable test methods. See ISO 29463 (all parts). Filter elements used in portable room-air cleaners are excluded from the scope of this part of ISO 16890. The performance results obtained in accordance with ISO 16890 (all parts) cannot by themselves be quantitatively applied to predict performance in service with regard to efficiency and lifetime. The results from this part of ISO 16890 may also be used by other standards that define or classify the fractional efficiency in the size range of 0,3 μm to 10 μm when electrostatic removal mechanism is an important factor to consider, for example ISO 29461.

ISO 29462:2013 describes a procedure for measuring the performance of general ventilation air cleaning devices in their end use installed configuration. The performance measurements include removal efficiency by particle size and the resistance to airflow. The procedures for test include the definition and reporting of the system airflow. The procedure describes a method of counting ambient air particles of 0,3 μm to 5,0 μm upstream and downstream of the in-place air cleaner(s) in a functioning air handling system. The procedure describes the reduction of particle counter data to calculate removal efficiency by particle size. Since filter installations vary dramatically in design and shape, a protocol for evaluating the suitability of a site for filter evaluation and for system evaluation is included. When the evaluated site conditions meet the minimum criteria established for system evaluation, the performance evaluation of the system can also be performed according to this procedure. ISO 29462:2013 also describes performance specifications for the testing equipment and defines procedures for calculating and reporting the results. This International Standard is not intended for measuring performance of portable or movable room air cleaners or for evaluation of filter installations with and expected filtration efficiency at or above 99 % or at or below 30 % when measured at 0,4 μm.