Masks

Technical Bulletin

May, 2020 Revision 4

Comparison of FFP2, KN95, and N95 and Other Filtering Facepiece Respirator Classes

Description

Filtering facepiece respirators (FFR), which are sometimes called disposable respirators, are subject to various regulatory standards around the world. These standards specify certain required physical properties and performance characteristics in order for respirators to claim compliance with the particular standard. During pandemic or emergency situations, health authorities often reference these standards when making respirator recommendations, stating, for example, that certain populations should use an “N95, FFP2, or similar” respirator.

This document is only intended to help clarify some key similarities between such references, specifically to the following FFR performance standards:

• N95 (United States NIOSH-42CFR84)

• FFP2 (Europe EN 149-2001)

• KN95 (China GB2626-2006)

• P2 (Australia/New Zealand AS/NZA 1716:2012)

• Korea 1st class (Korea KMOEL – 2017-64)

• DS2 (Japan JMHLW-Notification 214, 2018)
As shown in the following summary table, respirators certified as meeting these standards can be expected to function very similarly to one another, based on the performance requirements stated in the standards and confirmed during conformity testing.
One notable comparison point is the flow rates specified by these standards for the inhalation and exhalation resistance tests. Inhalation resistance testing flow rates range from 40 to 160L/min. Exhalation resistance testing flow rates range from 30 to 95 L/min. Some countries require testing to be performed at multiple flow rates, others at only the high or low end of those ranges. Although this appears to suggest that the standards’ requirements for breathing resistance (also called “pressure drop”) differ from each other, it’s important to understand that pressure drop across any filter will naturally be higher at higher flow rates and lower at lower flow rates. Given typical pressure curves for respirator filters, the standards’ various pressure drop requirements are actually quite similar. This chart shows a representative filter pressure drop curve. If one filter is tested at a high flow rate, the pressure drop performance will be relatively high. If that same filter is tested at a low flow rate, the pressure drop performance will be relatively low.

3M Personal Safety Division

Based on this comparison, it is reasonable to consider China KN95, AS/NZ P2, Korea 1st Class, and Japan DS2 FFRs as “similar” to US NIOSH N95 and European FFP2 respirators, for filtering non-oil-based particles such as those resulting from wildfires, PM 2.5 air pollution, volcanic eruptions, or bioaerosols (e.g. viruses). However, prior to selecting a respirator, users should consult their local respiratory protection regulations and requirements or check with their local public health authorities for selection guidance.

Certification/ Class (Standard)

N95 (NIOSH-42C FR84)

FFP2 (EN 149-2001)

KN95 (GB2626-20 06)

P2 (AS/NZ 1716:2012)

Korea 1st Class (KMOEL – 2017-64)

DS2 (Japan JMHLW-

Notification 214, 2018)

Filter performance – (must be ≥ X% efficient)

≥ 95%

≥ 94%

≥ 95%

≥ 94%

≥ 95%

Test agent

NaCl

NaCl and paraffin oil

NaCl

NaCl and paraffin oil

NaCl

Flow rate

85 L/min

95 L/min

85 L/min

95 L/min

85 L/min

Total inward leakage (TIL)* – tested on human subjects each performing exercises

N/A

≤ 8% leakage (arithmetic mean)

≤ 8% leakage (individual and arithmetic mean)

≤ 8% leakage (arithmetic mean)

Inward Leakage measured and included in User Instructions

Inhalation resistance – max pressure drop

≤ 343 Pa

≤ 70 Pa (at 30 L/min)
≤ 240 Pa (at 95 L/min)

≤ 500 Pa (clogging)

≤ 350 Pa

≤ 70 Pa (at 30 L/min)
≤ 240 Pa (at 95 L/min)

≤ 70 Pa (w/valve) ≤ 50 Pa (no valve)

Flow rate

85 L/min

Varied – see above

85 L/min

Varied – see above

40 L/min

Exhalation resistance – max pressure drop

≤ 245 Pa

≤ 300 Pa

≤ 250 Pa

≤ 120 Pa

≤ 300 Pa

≤ 70 Pa (w/valve) ≤ 50 Pa (no valve)

Flow rate

85 L/min

160 L/min

85 L/min

160 L/min

40 L/min

Exhalation valve leakage requirement

Leak rate ≤ 30 mL/min

N/A

Depressurizatio n to 0 Pa ≥ 20 sec

Leak rate ≤ 30 mL/min

visual inspection after 300 L /min for 30 sec

Depressurizatio n to 0 Pa ≥ 15 sec

Force applied

-245 Pa

N/A

-1180 Pa

-250 Pa

N/A

-1,470 Pa

CO2 clearance requirement

N/A

≤1%

≤ 1%

≤1%

≤ 1%

*Japan JMHLW-Notification 214 requires an Inward Leakage test rather than a TIL test.

3M Personal Safety Division

Definitions

Filter performance – the filter is evaluated to measure the reduction in concentrations of specific aerosols in air that passes through the filter.

Test agent – the aerosol that is generated during the filter performance test.
Total inward leakage (TIL) – the amount of a specific aerosol that enters the tested respirator facepiece via both filter

penetration and faceseal leakage, while a wearer performs a series of exercises in a test chamber.

Inward leakage (IL)– the amount of a specific aerosol that enters the tested respirator facepiece, while a wearer performs a normal breathing for 3 minutes in a test chamber. The test aerosol size (count median diameter) is about 0.5 micro meter.

Pressure drop – the resistance air is subjected to as it moves through a medium, such as a respirator filter. IMPORTANT: Always read and follow respirator user instructions.

Personal Safety Division

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