Overview
ISO 13137:2022 - "Workplace atmospheres - Pumps for personal sampling of chemical and biological agents - Requirements and test methods" specifies performance requirements and laboratory test methods for battery‑powered personal sampling pumps. The standard applies to battery powered, flow‑controlled pumps with a nominal volumetric flow rate above 10 ml·min−1, used with samplers and collection substrates (e.g., filters, sorbent tubes, detector tubes, gas‑washing bottles) for sampling gases, vapours, dusts, fumes, mists and fibres in workplace air.
Key technical topics and requirements
ISO 13137:2022 defines measurable performance characteristics and how to test them under prescribed laboratory conditions. Important topics include:
- Pump types and control systems (flow‑controlled pumps; reference to type classifications such as Type P)
- Flow rate requirements and stability, including behaviour under increasing pressure drop and pulsation limits (short‑term fluctuations critical for particle‑size selective sampling)
- Nominal flow thresholds (applicable for pumps > 10 ml·min−1; different test regimes for ranges ≤ 5 000 ml·min−1 and > 5 000 ml·min−1)
- Operating time and start‑up/long‑term performance
- Short‑term interruptions of airflow and their acceptability
- Temperature dependence and environmental influence on performance
- Mechanical strength and design safety (durability, user protection)
- Timer accuracy, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and explosion hazard considerations
- Charger requirements, marking, instructions for use, and test report content
The standard specifies the number of test objects, test instruments, preconditioning, test set‑ups and step‑by‑step procedures to determine these characteristics.
Practical applications and who uses ISO 13137:2022
ISO 13137:2022 is essential for stakeholders involved in occupational air monitoring and pump design, including:
- Manufacturers of personal sampling pumps seeking to demonstrate compliance and product performance
- Testing and calibration laboratories conducting performance verification and acceptance testing
- Occupational hygienists and industrial safety professionals selecting pumps for field sampling to ensure accurate exposure assessment
- Procurement and certification bodies evaluating pump suitability for workplace monitoring programs
- Regulatory agencies and standardization committees aligning sampling equipment requirements with measurement uncertainty targets
Using pumps conforming to ISO 13137 helps reduce sampling uncertainty, maintain correct sampler collection characteristics, and ensure reliable workplace air monitoring.
Related standards
- ISO 20581 - general performance criteria for methods measuring workplace air contaminants (referenced)
- ISO 18158 - terminology and definitions referenced in the latest edition
- Note: This edition replaces ISO 13137:2013 and updates normative references (replacing earlier EN references).
For implementation, consult the full ISO 13137:2022 document from ISO or your national standards body for detailed test procedures and acceptance criteria.