Testing Air Filters and Filter Media

Filter Testing

Filters are essential for improving air quality, protecting health, and enhancing product performance. Used in air purifiers, homes, hospitals, and even in vehicles, filters safeguard against harmful air pollution.

Research and development efforts in filtration technology focus on creating advanced media and filters that improve efficiency, durability and breathability. These efforts also explore innovative designs to ensure that filters meet evolving performance standards, addressing applications across industries like air quality, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing. Various national and international standards define the performance requirements for filters, and the procedures that must be used to test them. With over 30 years of experience, TSI provides advanced filter testing equipment used by certification agencies like NIOSH, government test centers in China and leading manufacturers worldwide for quality control and compliance.

Whether you need trusted performance, ease of use, or flexible integration, TSI offers tailored solutions for your filter testing needs, helping to enhance air quality and safety.

Respiratory Filter Testing

Respirators, including disposable masks and powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs), protect users from inhaling hazardous materials. All devices must undergo performance validation and certification.

The Automated Filter Tester 8130A is designed for testing filter media. It generates salt or oil aerosols and uses high-sensitivity photometers to measure filtration efficiency and penetration, along with pressure drop measurements using advanced transducers.

With minimal maintenance and user-serviceable components, it supports various standards (e.g., US 42 CFR 84, EN 143) to efficiently ensure the quality control of filtration products.

Fractional Efficiency Filter Testing

High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) and Ultra Low Penetration Air (ULPA) filters are used in environments like medical facilities and cleanrooms, where controlling particle and bacteria concentrations is essential. These filters must meet rigorous performance standards, including EN 1822, and IEST RP-CC001/007, with classification based on their retention at the most penetrating particle size (MPPS).

The Automated Filter Tester Model 3160 measures fractional filter efficiency at many submicrometer particle sizes. Using a research-grade particle sizing technique (differential mobility analysis) and single-particle counting technology (condensation particle counter), it provides automated measurements and achieves efficiencies of up to 99.999999+% ideal for filter development and quality control.

Component-Based Filter Testing

Component-based filter testing allows for flexible, targeted evaluation of filters under a wide range of conditions and standards. This approach is essential for assessing filters that vary in size, shape, and specific performance needs, as it enables precise testing based on application-specific requirements, such as aerosol type, particle size, and flow rates. Industries like HVAC, pharmaceuticals, and cleanrooms rely on these tests to ensure filters meet rigorous air quality and efficiency standards. Component-based testing systems can also adapt to evolving guidelines, such as ISO 16890 for HVAC filters, offering manufacturers a versatile and scalable way to verify filter performance across diverse applications.

Resources

Air Filtration Basics
How You Test Matters
Highly Efficient Respirators P100/FFP3/P3

Scientific Poster

Air Filtration Basics

The measurement of filter efficiency is influenced by a combination of factors. Test results are impacted not only by the filter's inherent performance but also by the characteristics of the challenge aerosol, the design of the detection system, and the overall setup of the testing environment.

Understanding the efficiency of air filters in capturing particles may seem straightforward, but the underlying principles are quite complex. This poster outlines the detailed process involved in testing filter efficiency. We encourage you to explore the accompanying resources for additional insights.

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Parameters That Affect Air Filter Testing Results

How You Test Matters

The latest global health crisis has highlighted the urgent need for personal protective equipment (PPE), driving aerosol science researchers to evaluate and publish findings on the filtration performance of various materials using diverse instruments and methodologies. However, testing results can vary widely based on the methods employed, making published findings difficult to compare. This poster provides a comprehensive overview of the official testing methods and aerosols used for respirators, medical masks, and the emerging category of barrier face coverings (BFCs). Real data is presented to demonstrate how key testing parameters influence filtration efficiency.

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Webinar Recording

Filter Testing for Highly Efficient Respirators P100/FFP3/P3

Regulatory agencies that publish respirator standards for high-efficiency filters and cartridges, including 42 CFR Part 84 and EN 143/149, also require quality control testing prior to use. Rapid testing is essential for maintaining high throughput in production lines. Additionally, it is important that the testing equipment yields consistent penetration results with those obtained in quality control labs to guarantee accuracy and reliability. In this webinar, we will share test results on penetration and pressure drop measurements achieved through faster testing methods, and we will discuss factors that can be optimized to further reduce testing time.

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Frequently asked questions

Q. What standards are used for filter testing?

Filter testing standards vary by application and region, but commonly used standards include ISO 16890 and ASHRAE 52.2 for HVAC filters as well as EN 1822 for HEPA and ULPA filters.

Q. Why is filter testing important?

Filter testing verifies that filter media meet specific standards for performance and efficiency. It ensures filters effectively remove particles, pollutants, or contaminants from air or liquids, depending on their intended use.

Q. How is filter efficiency measured?

Efficiency is measured by challenging a filter with a known population of aerosol particles, and comparing aerosol measurements that are made upstream and downstream of that filter. Different standards (e.g., various HEPA standards, ISO 16890-2) define target particle sizes and thresholds.

Q. What types of filters are commonly tested?

Filters tested include HVAC filters, HEPA filters, automotive filters, industrial dust filters, cleanroom filters, and filters used in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and electronics.

Q. What is the role of aerosol generators in filter testing?

Aerosol generators create a controlled, consistent flow of particles with specific sizes and concentrations, which is crucial for evaluating filter efficiency. By producing uniform aerosols, these generators allow testers to simulate real-world conditions accurately, ensuring filters are exposed to a representative range of particles. This control over particle characteristics enables precise measurement of filter performance, helping to verify that filters meet specified standards for various applications.

Q. What is MPPS in filter testing?

MPPS, or Most Penetrating Particle Size, is the particle size that’s hardest for a filter to capture. Testing for MPPS ensures that filters meet efficiency requirements for the most challenging conditions.

CSU Lab Uses TSI Instruments to Test N95 Mask Quality

Colorado State University’s lab tested N95 masks and PPE, using TSI instruments to assess filtration, breathability, and fit, ensuring protective gear meets health and safety standards.

Why Are Photometers Used for Air Filter Testing?

Testing Air Filters and Filter Media

Filter Testing

Resources

Frequently asked questions

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