Overview
ISO 19932-3:2025 - Equipment for crop protection - Knapsack sprayers - Part 3: Inspection of knapsack sprayers in use specifies requirements and test methods for on‑site inspection of knapsack sprayers carried on the operator’s back or shoulder for use with plant protection products (PPPs). It covers lever‑operated, compression and engine/electric motor driven knapsack sprayers (hydraulic pressure atomisation) with a nominal volume greater than 6.0 L. The standard focuses on sprayer condition, operator and environmental safety, and performance needed for good application. Certain device types (air‑blast knapsack sprayers, rotary atomiser CDA equipment, and portable spatial foggers) are excluded.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and applicability: Applies to agricultural, forestry and horticultural knapsack sprayers (>6.0 L); excludes specific equipment types addressed by other standards.
- Required test equipment: calibrated pressure indicator; measuring jug/cylinder (≥1 L, graduations every 20 mL); 3 mm rod; measuring tape (≥100 mm, ±0.5 mm).
- General safety checks: sprayer must be depressurized, empty, and clean for inspection; no obvious structural damage (holes, severe abrasion).
- Harness and carry systems: harness must allow one person to lift/carry; quick‑release (if fitted) must open under load with one hand; straps and fixings must be intact.
- Spray tank and leak tests: visual fill level with ≥1 L resolution; stability upright and at ~45° without leaking or spilling when filled to nominal volume; no leakage when spraying at manufacturer’s maximum working pressure or 3 bar if unspecified.
- Controls and pressure devices: shut‑off reachable and functional; pressure regulators adjustable without contamination; pressure indicator accuracy: ±0.2 bar at ≤2 bar, ±10% above 2 bar.
- Hoses, filters and fittings: hoses must be undamaged; pressure‑side filter required with mesh suited to nozzle size.
- Lance and nozzle performance: spray pattern/ distribution must match manufacturer intent; flow measurements performed at standard or 1 and 3 bar where applicable; nozzle flow deviation tolerance ±15% of nominal.
- Compliance methods: combination of visual inspection and function tests as defined in the standard.
Practical applications and users
- Who uses it: sprayer manufacturers, service and maintenance technicians, inspection bodies, regulatory agencies, farm managers, extension services and safety officers.
- Why use it: ensure operator safety, reduce environmental contamination, maintain application accuracy and PPP stewardship, and support compliance or voluntary inspection programmes.
- Where applied: routine field inspections, pre‑season servicing, regulatory audits, end‑of‑service checks, and quality assurance for rental or contract spraying services.
Related standards
- ISO 5681:2020 - Equipment for crop protection - Vocabulary
- ISO 16122‑2:2024 - Inspection of sprayers in use - Part 2: Horizontal boom sprayers
- ISO 28139:2019/Amd 1:2024 - (covers knapsack combustion engine‑driven air‑blast sprayers)
Keywords: ISO 19932-3:2025, knapsack sprayers inspection, crop protection, plant protection products, sprayer safety, inspection methods, nozzle flow, leak test.