EN 14683+AC Medical face masks - Requirements and test methods - specifies construction,
design,performance requirements and test methods for medical face masks intended to limit the
transmission of infective agents from staff to patients during surgical procedures and other medical
settings with similar requirements.
A medical face mask with an appropriate microbial barrier can also be effective in reducing the
emission of infective agents from the nose and mouth of an asymptomatic carrier or a patient with
clinical symptoms.This European Standard is not applicable to masks intended exclusively for the
personal protection of staff.
This European Standard specifies construction and performance requirements, and test methods for
surgical masks intended to limit the transmission of infective agents from staff to patients and
(in certain situations vice;versa) during surgical procedures in operating theatres and other medical
settings with similar requirements. This European Standard is not applicable to masks intended exclusively
for the personal protection of staff.
This standard is intended to help facilitate the choice of surgical face masks in the European Market
by standardizing the information and performance data required for the masks.
There are three test methods used to classify surgical masks:
1. Bacterial Filtration Efficiency in vitro (BFE) (ASTM F2101;07)
This test is used to determine the amount of infective agent that is retained by the surgical facemask,
which is directly related to the amount of bacteria released through the mask into the air of the surgical theatre.
Classification:
BFE => 95 TYPE I
BFE => 98 TYPE II
2. Breathing Resistance (Delta P)
This test is used to determine the resistance airflow of the facemask.
Classification:
TYPE I & II (non splash resistant) = < 29.4 Pa/cm2
TYPE IR & IIR (splash resistant) = < 49.0 Pa/cm2
3. Splash Resistance (ASTM F1862;07)
This test is used to determine the resistance penetration of potentially contaminated fluid splashes.
Classification:
TYPE I & TYPE II not applicable
TYPE IR & TYPE IIR >120 mmHg
120 mmHg is a minimum value. It corresponds to the average systolic arterial blood pressure,
and intends to protect against ruptures in small arteries causing small sprays of blood.
Some products off protection even in excess of the 120 mmHg.
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