ISO 16890 replaced EN 779 as the standard for general ventilation air filters in 2018; in North America, ASHRAE 52.2 (MERV) is still used. ISO 16890 measures the efficiency of an air filter in the particle size range 0.3 μm to 10 μm. The classification is carried out according to standard for particle size range 0.3-1.0 μm, 0.3-2.5 μm and 0.3-10 μm. The process is considered while choosing filters according to more detailed and global standard.
Why EN 779 replaced?
A synthetic powder called ASHRAE dust is used in the efficiency test of an air filter according to EN779: 2012 standard. The test is done by loading the filter with this powder in the laboratory environment. By this way, the efficiency of the filter can be calculated in the particle size of only 0.4 μm . In operating conditions, filters are exposed to pollutants with a variety of different sized particulate. Therefore, the data obtained in the laboratory is insufficient to determine the performance of an air filter.
The EN 779: 2012 standard which was used in the classification of Coarse filters, Medium Filters and Fine Filters replaced by the ISO 16890 standard. With this change in standard, filter users will are able to choose the filter much more accurate according to their needs.
ISO 16890 Test Procedure Step By Step
ISO 16890 Classifications
ISO 16890 standard considers for the particle size (Particulate Matter = PM) between 0.3 µm and 10 µm for efficiency evaluation.
For example; According to the test result, the F8 class V-Compact Filter is classified as “ISO ePM₁ 70%”. This means that the filter separates 70% of PM₁ particles. The “e” stands for efficiency in combination with the particulate matter (PM).
