ISO 16900-2:2017 — Determination of Breathing Resistance

ISO 16900-2:2017 — Respiratory protective devices — Methods of test and test equipment — Part 2: Determination of breathing resistance

This document is part of the ISO 16900 series focused on laboratory methods and test equipment for respiratory protective devices. Part 2 addresses breathing resistance, which is typically evaluated as a pressure difference across the item under test at defined airflow conditions.

Quick Definition

ISO 16900-2:2017 describes laboratory methods to measure breathing resistance for RPDs, RPD filters, and respiratory interfaces by flowing air through (or across) the test item and measuring the resulting pressure difference.

What This Standard Covers

Breathing resistance is a core performance characteristic for many respirator types because it directly impacts wearer comfort and usability. This standard focuses on how breathing resistance is determined in a controlled laboratory environment for:

• Complete respiratory protective devices (RPDs)

• Filters for respiratory protective devices

• Respiratory interfaces (RI)

Because test setups can vary by product configuration (for example, whether the item is a complete device versus a filter element), the specific fixture approach and connection details are typically chosen to match the item under test while maintaining a sealed, measurable flow path.

Why This Standard Matters in Testing

Breathing resistance results are often used to support product decisions such as material selection, valve and housing design, and filter configuration. In many respiratory programs, these measurements also support qualification packages where objective pressure-drop data is required as part of a broader performance evaluation.

This is a laboratory method under defined conditions; it is typically used alongside other RPD evaluations rather than as a standalone indicator of real-world performance in use.

Common Materials, Product Types, or Applications Covered

ISO 16900-2:2017 is most commonly referenced for respiratory products where airflow passes through a filter or device pathway and pressure drop needs to be quantified, including:

• Air-purifying respirators and filtering facepiece-style products (as complete RPDs)

• Replaceable particulate or gas/vapor filters and cartridges (as filters for RPDs)

• Respiratory interfaces such as facepieces or hoods used as part of a complete system (as RI)

The exact applicability depends on how the product is configured and how the airflow path is defined for the test item (complete device versus subcomponent).

Common Test or Verification Workflow

Breathing resistance testing generally follows a controlled airflow-and-measurement workflow.

Common workflow steps: Select the correct test configuration (RPD, filter, or respiratory interface), mount/seal the test item to the fixture, apply the required airflow condition(s), measure the pressure difference across the item, and report results in a consistent form for comparison and acceptance decisions.

Practical caution: Small leaks, poorly matched adapters, or unstable connections can dominate the measured pressure difference. For reliable results, fixture sealing, connection repeatability, and instrument range selection are often as important as the flow source itself.

Equipment Commonly Used for This Standard

ISO 16900-2:2017 points to a test setup that can produce controlled airflow through the item under test and accurately measure differential pressure.

Common equipment: Airflow source or flow controller, flow measurement (for example, a flowmeter), differential pressure measurement (for example, a differential pressure transducer or manometer), sealed mounting fixtures/adapters for the specific RPD/filter/RI geometry, and basic verification tools to check system integrity and measurement stability.

In many labs, breathing resistance testing is integrated into a broader RPD test capability, and equipment choices are coordinated with other ISO 16900 methods to reduce fixture duplication and improve repeatability.

If you are selecting instrumentation ranges, fixtures, or a complete bench configuration for breathing resistance testing, you can request a detailed quote for a setup aligned to your device geometry and throughput.

How to Read This Designation or Revision

Designation: ISO 16900-2 identifies Part 2 within the ISO 16900 series of RPD test methods and test equipment.

Year: “2017” indicates the publication year for this edition (Edition 2).

Revision sensitivity: Because test equipment setup details and reporting expectations can change between editions, purchase specifications and lab procedures should reference the exact cited edition (including the year) used by your program, customer, or regulatory pathway.

Related Standards, Methods, or Frameworks

ISO 16900-2 is commonly used as part of a broader respiratory protective device evaluation program. Within the same family, other parts of ISO 16900 address additional test methods and commonly used RPD test equipment; aligning fixtures and instruments across the series can simplify lab operations when multiple methods are required.

Talk with us about an ISO 16900-2 breathing resistance setup

If you need help selecting a breathing resistance bench configuration, adapting fixtures to your specific RPD or filter geometry, or matching instrument ranges to your expected pressure drop, contact our team to discuss your test plan.