ISO 17420-1:2021

Overview

ISO 17420-1:2021 - "Respiratory protective devices - Performance requirements - Part 1: General" defines the general performance and testing requirements for complete respiratory protective devices (RPD) intended for workplace use. The standard is based on human factors and covers complete systems, manufacturer marking and information, and general test conditions. It does not apply to diving, military, aircraft/spacecraft, medical life‑support or resuscitators. ISO 17420-1 is a general part and is intended to be used together with the product‑specific parts (e.g., ISO 17420-2 for filtering RPD and ISO 17420-4 for supplied breathable gas RPD).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope & exclusions: Workplace RPD performance requirements; explicit exclusions (diving, military, aircraft, medical life‑support, resuscitators).
• Classification overview: Protection classes (PC1–PC6), work‑rate classes (W1–W4), respiratory interface (RI) types (tight/loose fitting, mouth/face/complete coverage), filter and gas supply classes.
• Human factors & system approach: Requirements apply to complete systems and consider donning/doffing, ergonomics and communication performance.
• Performance tests: Includes requirements and references for:
  • Total inward leakage (TIL) and inward leakage methods (see ISO 16900‑1)
  • Field of vision (visual field score requirement; test per ISO 16900‑11; minimum average VFS ≈ 98)
  • Resistance to flame, heat and ignition (single burner dynamic)
  • Compatibility with additional equipment, monitor performance, warning/checking devices
  • Practical performance validation: speech/hearing, eye irritation, visor fogging, ergonomic checks (see ISO 16900‑7)
  • Component testing: mechanical resistance and leak tightness (see ISO 16900‑6)
• Testing conditions and sampling: Tests are performed at ambient laboratory conditions (16–32 °C; RH 50 ± 30 %) unless otherwise specified; sample numbers and preconditioning combinations depend on requirement, temperature and RI sizes.

Practical applications - who uses ISO 17420-1

• RPD manufacturers and designers - to design and document complete respiratory systems that meet general performance expectations.
• Test laboratories and conformity assessors - to establish test programs and interpret general test requirements prior to product‑specific testing.
• Occupational safety professionals and procurement teams - to assess RPD suitability for workplace hazards and verify manufacturer information and marking.
• Regulators and certification bodies - to reference general requirements alongside ISO 17420‑2/‑4 when establishing certification schemes.

Related standards (selection)

• ISO 17420-2:2021 - Requirements for filtering RPD
• ISO 17420-4:2021 - Requirements for supplied breathable gas RPD
• ISO 16900 series (Parts 1, 6, 7, 10, 11) - Test methods and equipment
• ISO 16975-3 - Fit‑testing procedures

Keywords: ISO 17420-1, respiratory protective devices, RPD performance requirements, RPD testing, total inward leakage, field of vision, respiratory interface, workplace respiratory protection.