ISO 16900-5:2016

Overview

ISO 16900-5:2016 - Respiratory protective devices defines standardized test equipment and fixtures used in laboratory testing of respiratory protective devices (RPD). This part of ISO 16900 specifies the characteristics of breathing machines, metabolic simulators, RPD headforms and torso, RPD tools and RPD verification tools that are common to RPD test laboratories. Standardization of these components is essential to achieve repeatable, comparable test results across different labs and for consistent implementation of RPD test methods.

Key topics and technical requirements

• RPD headforms and CAD files
  • Five standardized headform sizes derived from ISO/TS 16976-2 anthropometrics.
  • Headforms must conform to CAD geometry with a manufacturing tolerance of ±1 mm for reference dimensions.
  • Surface finish can be hard or soft; soft finish hardness between 10 Shore A and 30 Shore A.
  • Headforms are marked with the size number and include features for acoustic and field-of-vision measurements.
• Trachea tube assembly
  • Single trachea tube design used across all headforms; stainless steel construction.
  • Internal volume up to control valves specified as (500 ± 150) ml.
  • Pressure pickup (pitot) ring and sampling ports are detailed; holes are omitted on top/bottom to prevent liquid ingress.
• Breathing machine and metabolic simulator
  • Characteristics and performance requirements described, including minute ventilation, switching between ventilation settings, and output characteristics needed for RPD tests.
• RPD verification tools and test aids
  • Verification orifices, adapters, CO verification tubes, and work-of-breathing verification procedures are specified to enable inter-lab comparability.
  • RPD tools such as filter simulators, force probes and exposed surface identification probes are defined for specific test procedures.
• Materials for specific tests
  • For flame/thermal exposure tests, headform materials shall be metal, ceramic or other heat-tolerant materials with smooth finishes.

Practical applications and users

• RPD test laboratories use ISO 16900-5 equipment specifications to construct or procure compliant headforms, breathing machines, and verification tools.
• Manufacturers of respirators and test equipment implement the standardized dimensions and interfaces to ensure product testing matches international methods.
• Accreditation bodies and regulators rely on the standardized verification tools and procedures to assess laboratory competence and data comparability.
• Researchers and safety engineers apply the standard when designing test rigs or interpreting laboratory performance data for filtering facepieces, respirators and breathing apparatus.

Related standards

• ISO 16900-1 to -14 (series) - other parts of RPD test methods (e.g., inward leakage, breathing resistance, CO measurement)
• ISO 16900-9:2015 - carbon dioxide content of inhaled gas
• ISO 16900-12:2016 - work of breathing and peak pressures
• ISO 16972 - RPD terms and definitions
• ISO/TS 16976-2 - RPD anthropometrics

Keywords: ISO 16900-5, respiratory protective devices, breathing machine, metabolic simulator, RPD headforms, trachea tube assembly, RPD verification tools, laboratory testing, standardization.