A newly revised filtration standard from ASHRAE combines two standards setting the path to improve the technical accuracy of filter testing.

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 52.2-2012, Method of Testing General Ventilation Air-Cleaning Devices for Removal Efficiency by Particle Size, establishes a test procedure for evaluating the performance of air-cleaning devices as a function of particle size. The publication marks the first time Standard 52.2 has been published combining Standard 52.1, Gravimetric and Dust Spot Procedures for Testing Air Cleaning Devices Used in General Ventilation for Removing Particulate Matter.

“Combining the two standards provides a clean slate to begin significant changes regarding making the method much more technically accurate,” Robert Burkhead, chair of the Standard 52.2 committee, said. “Specifically, we have plans in motion to change the MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) table ranges, narrow the ambient conditions allowed and further refine the instrumentation specifications – all in an effort to reduce the variability of the data product from the standard.” 

Standard 52.2 now incorporates the Standard 52.1 sections on arrestance and dust-holding capacity; and also adds a new informative appendix, Appendix J, that provides an optional method of conditioning a filter using fine potassium chloride particles to demonstrate efficiency loss that might be realized in field applications.

The standard addresses three air-cleaner performance characteristics of importance to users: the ability of the device to remove particles from the airstream, the total dust holding capacity with arrestance (weight efficiency) and its resistance to airflow, according to Burkhead.

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