ISO 16890-3:2016

Overview

ISO 16890-3:2016 - part of the ISO 16890 series - specifies the test equipment and methods for measuring the gravimetric efficiency and air flow resistance of air filters for general ventilation. The standard defines how to load filters with standardized test dust and record how filter efficiency and pressure drop change as the mass of captured dust increases. It is intended to be used together with ISO 16890‑1, ISO 16890‑2 and ISO 16890‑4 to produce the laboratory performance data used for ePM (particulate matter) classification.

Key facts:

• Title: Air filters for general ventilation - Part 3: Determination of the gravimetric efficiency and the air flow resistance versus the mass of test dust captured
• Applicable air flow rates: 0.25 m3/s to 1.5 m3/s (900–5 400 m3/h)
• Reference test rig face area: 610 mm × 610 mm (24 in × 24 in)
• Exclusions: filter elements for portable room‑air cleaners; very high‑efficiency elements outside the ePM range are covered by ISO 29463

Key topics and requirements

• Test equipment and setup: Specifications for test rigs, instrumentation, and preparation of the test device.
• Loading dust and dust feeders: Procedures for using standardized test dust (see ISO 15957) and controlling dust feed rates.
• Gravimetric efficiency measurement: Method for measuring mass of particles captured and determining gravimetric filter efficiency as dust loading progresses.
• Air flow resistance vs mass captured: Measurement of pressure drop (resistance to air flow) across the filter at defined load increments.
• Qualification and calibration: Requirements for qualification of the test rig and apparatus, including initial and final efficiency checks.
• Reporting: Required report elements, summary results, and detailed data (resistance calculations, arrestance, test dust capacity). Annex A provides resistance calculation guidance.

Applications and users

ISO 16890-3 is practical for:

• Filter manufacturers validating product performance under dust loading
• Independent test laboratories performing standardized efficiency and pressure‑drop tests
• HVAC designers and system specifiers comparing filter performance (ePM classification)
• Facility managers and maintenance teams assessing filter lifetime indicators (dust-holding capacity, arrestance)
• Certification bodies that require standardized test evidence for product marking

Note: Laboratory results from ISO 16890 series are for comparative classification and cannot alone be used to quantitatively predict in-service lifetime or exact field efficiency.

Related standards

• ISO 16890‑1, ISO 16890‑2, ISO 16890‑4 (ISO 16890 series)
• ISO 15957 (test dusts)
• ISO 29463 (high‑efficiency filters)
• ISO 29464 (terminology)

Keywords: ISO 16890-3, gravimetric efficiency, air flow resistance, air filters, general ventilation, ePM classification, dust loading, test rig.