scope:

This International Standard refers to particulate air filters for general ventilation having an initial efficiency of less than 99 % with respect to PM1 values as defined in ISO 16890-1 Air filters for general ventilation - Part 1: Technical specifications, requirements and efficiency classification system based upon Particulate Matter (PM). Filters used in the ventilation of low-rise residential buildings or in portable room-air cleaners are excluded from the scope of this standard. This International standard describes the procedure to determine the gravimetric efficiency and the resistance to airflow for a given air cleaning device. After determination of the initial particle removal efficiency and the conditioned particle removal efficiency, the filter element is loaded with synthetic dust until its final test pressure drop is reached. The pressure drop curve versus the dust loading is recorded during the course of dust loading to determine the test dust holding capacity. The performance results obtained in accordance with this series of standards 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 (informative).