ISO 16900-13:2015

Overview - ISO 16900-13:2015 (Respiratory protective devices)

ISO 16900-13:2015 defines consolidated laboratory test methods for respiratory protective devices (RPD) that use regenerated breathable gas, compressed breathable gas with class L interfaces, and special application mining escape RPD. The standard specifies how to evaluate device performance over time and under realistic metabolic workloads, measuring gas concentrations, temperature, humidity, work of breathing, breathing resistance, elastance and duration/capacity.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and purpose: Test methods specific to RPDs using regenerated or compressed breathable gas and mining escape devices; intended to supplement broader RPD performance standards.
• Measured parameters:
  • Gas concentrations (CO limits, oxygen content for regenerated or oxygen-enriched gases)
  • Temperature and humidity of inspired breathable gas
  • Work of breathing and breathing resistance (volume-averaged WOB and peak pressures)
  • Elastance (lung/respiratory elastance metrics)
  • Capacity and duration for class Sxxxx devices (available breathable gas volume)
• Test regimes and work rates: Defined cyclic breathing flow regimes for work rate classes W1–W4 using flow rates such as 10, 35, 65, 105, 135 l/min, with timed sequences repeated until termination criteria are met.
• Metabolic simulator settings: Test flows and simulator parameters are specified at BTPS (body temperature, pressure, saturated) and STPD (standard temperature and pressure, dry) conditions to reflect human and laboratory references.
• Test conditions and tolerances: Ambient conditions, temperature accuracy, humidity ranges, specimen counts, headform support and conditioning requirements are prescribed. Measurement uncertainty (Annex A) must be reported when pass/fail decisions depend on measured values.
• Test apparatus and reporting: Requirements for equipment, setup, and mandatory test-report content are included.

Practical applications and users

ISO 16900-13 is used by:

• RPD manufacturers developing or validating regenerated-gas and mining escape devices
• Independent test laboratories conducting certification and type testing
• Certification bodies and conformity assessors evaluating compliance with RPD performance standards
• Occupational safety professionals and procurement teams specifying escape respirators or supplied-air devices for mining, confined-space, and emergency response
• R&D teams optimizing breathing resistance, thermal comfort, and gas-management for closed-circuit or semi-closed systems

The standard helps ensure consistent, repeatable evaluation of respiratory devices under realistic use cycles, informing design, certification and safe selection.

Related standards

• ISO 16900 series (Parts 1–14) - broader RPD test methods
• ISO 16972 - terms, definitions and units for respiratory protective devices

Keywords: ISO 16900-13, respiratory protective devices, RPD, regenerated breathable gas, mining escape RPD, work of breathing, breathing resistance, elastance, gas concentration, BTPS, STPD.