ISO 16976-5-2023 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 16976-5:2023 — Respiratory protective devices — Human factors — Part 5: Thermal effects. This International Standard provides information on thermal effects associated with respiratory protective devices (RPD), intended to inform the preparation of standards for design, testing and use of RPD.

Abstract

This document is one part of the ISO 16976 series addressing human anthropometry, physiology, ergonomics and performance for respiratory protective devices. It contains information on surface temperatures that cause discomfort or tissue damage, thermal effects of breathing-gas temperatures on airways and lung tissues, the influence of gas temperature and humidity on respiratory heat exchange, and the effects of RPD on overall body heat exchange. The data are given for healthy adult men and women aged approximately 20 to 60 years.

General information

• Status: Published
• Publication date: 9 March 2023
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• ICS / categories: 13.340.30 (Respiratory protective devices)
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2023)
• Number of pages: 15

Information above based on the ISO bibliographic record for ISO 16976-5:2023.

Scope

This standard provides informational (guidance) data for standards writers and designers about thermal interactions between RPD and the wearer. It covers: temperatures of RPD surfaces associated with discomfort or potential tissue damage; how inhaled gas temperature affects airways and lung tissues; how breathing gas temperature and humidity influence respiratory heat exchange; and how wearing an RPD alters the wearer’s overall heat exchange with the environment. The material is intended to support development of performance requirements and test methods in other RPD standards. The document replaces earlier technical-specification material and was published as an International Standard in March 2023.

Key topics and requirements

• Guidance on surface-temperature ranges that cause discomfort or may be harmful to skin and underlying tissues.
• Data and discussion of thermal effects of inspired-gas temperatures on the respiratory tract and lung tissues.
• Effects of breathing-gas temperature and humidity on respiratory heat exchange and thermal comfort.
• Consideration of how RPD design (materials, dead space, breathing resistance) influences wearer heat balance and core/skin temperature.
• Recommendations for standards developers on parameters and measurement conditions to consider when assessing thermal effects of RPD (informative, not normative requirements).
• Target population and demographic limits for the provided data (healthy adults roughly 20–60 years old).

Typical use and users

Primary users include standards developers, RPD manufacturers and designers, occupational health and safety professionals, testing and certification laboratories, ergonomics and human-factors researchers, and regulatory bodies involved in respiratory protective equipment. The standard is used to inform design choices, test-condition selection, and user guidance related to thermal comfort and safety.

Related standards

ISO 16976-5:2023 is part of the ISO 16976 series on human factors for respiratory protective devices (other parts cover anthropometry, breathing patterns, physiological effects, psycho‑physiological effects, etc.). Earlier technical-specifications (ISO/TS 16976-5:2020 and prior editions) were superseded by the 2023 publication. Related parts in the series (for example ISO 16976-6:2023) and other ISO/TC 94/SC 15 deliverables complement the guidance in this part.

Keywords

respiratory protective devices; RPD; human factors; thermal effects; heat exchange; breathing gas temperature; humidity; thermal comfort; skin temperature; inhalation temperature; ISO 16976; ergonomics; occupational safety

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 16976-5:2023 is an International Standard that provides guidance on thermal effects related to respiratory protective devices to aid standards development and RPD design.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers temperatures of RPD surfaces associated with discomfort or harm, effects of inspired-gas temperature on airways and lung tissues, effects of breathing-gas temperature and humidity on respiratory heat exchange, and the influence of RPD on overall body heat exchange. The content is informative (guidance), not prescriptive performance requirements.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Standards authors, RPD designers and manufacturers, test laboratories, occupational health professionals, ergonomists and researchers who need normative data or reference guidance on thermal interactions between RPD and wearers.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 16976-5:2023 is the current published version (issued 9 March 2023). It supersedes earlier technical-specifications on the same topic (ISO/TS 16976-5:2020 and prior TS editions).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is one part of the ISO 16976 series (multiple parts covering different human-factor aspects of respiratory protective devices). Other parts in the series address related physiological, anthropometric and psycho‑physiological topics.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Thermal effects, respiratory protective devices, heat exchange, breathing gas temperature, humidity, thermal comfort, skin/surface temperature, human factors, ergonomics.