ISO 15957-2015 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 15957:2015 — Test dusts for evaluating air cleaning equipment. This International Standard specifies the properties and general characteristics of load test dusts used when testing heating, ventilation and air‑conditioning (HVAC) air filters and air‑cleaning equipment in laboratory conditions; it does not cover test dusts intended specifically for determination of filtration efficiency.

Abstract

ISO 15957:2015 defines the required properties (composition, particle size characteristics, conditioning and handling notes) of standardized load test dusts used to evaluate dust‑loading behaviour of air filters and air‑cleaning devices in laboratory tests. The standard excludes dusts and procedures used solely to evaluate particle removal efficiency.

General information

• Status: Published; reviewed and confirmed in 2020 and listed for revision. A new edition (ISO 15957, edition 2) has been prepared for publication (under publication in 2026).
• Publication date: 2015 (ISO record shows 2015‑03; ISO catalog and several national catalogues report first availability around 25 February – 1 March 2015).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 91.140.30 (Ventilation and air‑conditioning; cleaning equipment for air and other gases).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2015). A draft/second edition has been prepared and entered ISO publication stages (expected new edition published in early 2026).
• Number of pages: 9 pages in the ISO PDF (national adoptions may publish variant page counts).

Scope

ISO 15957:2015 specifies the properties of load test dusts intended for use when determining dust‑holding capacity, loading performance and related dust‑response behaviour of HVAC air filters and laboratory air‑cleaning equipment. It provides definitions and reference characteristics for a set of standardized dusts and gives requirements for conditioning, storage and representation of those dusts in test laboratories. Dusts and procedures intended solely for measuring filtration efficiency (fractional or absolute efficiency) are excluded from the scope.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and classification of load test dust types used in filter loading tests (commonly referenced types include L1–L4 / ASHRAE/ISO designations).
• Specified particle size distribution characteristics and mass fractions for representative test dusts used in loading tests.
• Requirements for dust conditioning, handling, storage and sample preparation to ensure reproducible test results.
• Reference to other standards and test methods that use or reference these dusts (for example standards for fractional efficiency, dust‑holding capacity and HEPA/ULPA testing).
• Notes on limitations — the document covers load/test dust properties but does not define full test rig procedures for efficiency determination.

Typical use and users

Used by test laboratories, filter and air‑cleaner manufacturers, HVAC system designers, research organisations and standards committees to select or prepare standardized load test dusts for reproducible laboratory evaluation of dust‑loading behaviour and dust holding capacity of filters and air cleaning devices. It is also referenced by other ventilation and filter testing standards.

Related standards

ISO 15957 is commonly used alongside or referenced by a number of ventilation and filter test standards, including ISO 16890 (air filters for general ventilation — test methods and classification), ISO 29463 (high‑efficiency filters/HEPA test series), ISO 12103‑1 / Arizona test dust specifications and national/adopted EN/ASHRAE methods that address dust‑loading and efficiency testing. These documents define complementary test methods, efficiency metrics and other test contaminants.

Keywords

test dust, load dust, dust‑holding capacity, HVAC filters, air‑cleaning equipment, filter testing, particle size distribution, ISO/TC 142.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 15957:2015 is an ISO International Standard that specifies the properties and handling of standardized load test dusts used for evaluating dust‑loading behaviour of HVAC air filters and laboratory air‑cleaning equipment.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers definitions, required properties (including particle size characteristics), conditioning and handling of load test dusts for use in laboratory loading tests; it explicitly excludes dusts/procedures used only for measuring filtration efficiency.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Filter and air‑cleaner manufacturers, independent test laboratories, HVAC engineers, research institutions and standards bodies use ISO 15957 when selecting or preparing standardized load dusts for reproducible laboratory loading tests.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2015 edition (Edition 1) remains an official published ISO standard; it was reviewed and confirmed in 2020. ISO has prepared a second edition (ISO 15957) and that new edition entered ISO publication stages for release in early 2026 and is intended to replace the 2015 edition. Users should verify whether the 2026 edition has been published before purchase or test‑method finalisation.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: ISO 15957 is part of the family of standards and test methods addressing air filters and air cleaning (often used together with ISO 16890, ISO 29463, ISO 12103‑1 and related regional standards). It is not a numbered “part” in a contiguous multi‑part title but it is a referenced document within several filter testing standards.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Test dust; load dust; dust‑holding capacity; HVAC filters; air cleaning equipment; particle size distribution; conditioning; ISO/TC 142.