ISO 16890-3:2024

Overview - What ISO 16890-3:2024 covers

ISO 16890-3:2024, "Air filters for general ventilation - Part 3", specifies the test equipment and test methods used to measure the gravimetric efficiency and air flow resistance versus captured test dust mass for ventilation filter elements. It is intended to be used together with ISO 16890-1, ISO 16890-2 and ISO 16890-4 as part of the ISO 16890 series for classifying filters by particulate removal (ePM1, ePM2.5, ePM10). The procedure applies to test rigs with a nominal face area of 610 mm × 610 mm (24 in × 24 in) and air flow rates from 0.25 m3/s to 1.5 m3/s (900–5 400 m3/h).

Key technical topics and requirements

• Scope limits: Applicable to filter elements with ePM1 ≤ 99% and ePM10 > 20% (tested per the ISO 16890 series); not applicable to portable room-air cleaners.
• Test rig and face area: Nominal 610 × 610 mm face area and specified flow rate range for reproducible loading.
• Test dust loading: Defined procedures for introducing test dust (dust feeder, aerosol devices) and measuring mass captured as filters load.
• Measured parameters: Gravimetric efficiency (mass-based removal) and resistance to air flow as a function of captured dust mass.
• Qualification: Requirements for qualification of test rigs and apparatus (dust feeder flow, final filter efficiency verification).
• Test sequence: Steps include device preparation, initial resistance measurement, controlled dust loading, arrestance and dust capacity determination.
• Reporting: Standardized reporting elements and calculations (including resistance-to-flow calculation) to ensure comparability.
• Revision note: Second edition updates include revising the initial loading step from 30 g to 60 g.

Practical applications and who uses this standard

ISO 16890-3:2024 is used by:

• Filter manufacturers - to characterize performance and support ISO 16890 classification.
• Independent test laboratories - to run standardized gravimetric and resistance loading tests for certification and product data sheets.
• HVAC designers and specifiers - to compare filter types on realistic loading and resistance behavior for system design and energy planning.
• Regulatory bodies and product certifiers - to validate claims of particle capture and pressure-drop performance.
• Facility managers and procurement teams - to assess filter life, arrestance, and expected pressure drop under dust-loading conditions.

Related standards and keywords

• Related parts: ISO 16890-1, ISO 16890-2, ISO 16890-4; referenced: ISO 15957, ISO 29463-1.
• SEO keywords: ISO 16890-3:2024, air filters for general ventilation, gravimetric efficiency, air flow resistance, test methods, ePM1, ePM10, dust loading, test rig, HVAC filters.

Note: Laboratory results under ISO 16890 series inform filter selection but do not alone predict in-service lifetime or exact field performance.