What is ISO/TS 16976‑4 - Physiologically based limits for breathing resistance in respiratory protective devices (RPD) about ?
ISO/TS 16976 discusses respiratory devices (RPD) human factors. ISO/TS 16976‑4 is an international standard that provides physiologically based limits for breathing resistance in respiratory protective devices.
ISO/TS 16976‑4 is the fourth part of a multi-series on respiratory protective devices that specifies how to calculate the work performed by a person’s respiratory muscles with and without the external respiratory impediments that are imposed by RPD of all kinds, except diving equipment.
ISO/TS 16976‑4 describes how much additional impediment people can tolerate and contains values that can be used to judge the acceptability of an RPD.
Note: These calculations are explained in some textbooks on respiratory physiology (in the absence of an RPD), but most omit them or are incomplete in their explanations.
Who is ISO/TS 16976‑4 - Physiologically based limits for breathing resistance in respiratory protective devices (RPD) for ?
ISO/TS 16976‑4 on physiologically based limits for breathing resistance in respiratory protective devices (RPD)is useful for:
- Pulmonologists
- Health and safety departments
- Respiratory Protection Equipment manufacturers
- Any entity involved in RPD production
Why should you use ISO/TS 16976‑4 - Physiologically based limits for breathing resistance in respiratory protective devices (RPD) ?
Respiratory Protective Devices (RPD) are used to protect the individual wearer against the inhalation of hazardous substances in the workplace air. Many of these devices protect against airborne contaminants without supplying air or other breathing gas mixtures to the user. This protection requires extra effort by the respiratory muscles as they need to generate higher pressures to overcome the associated respiratory loads imposed by the RPD.
ISO/TS 16976‑4 assists you to calculate the work of a person’s respiratory muscles because of RPD flow resistance and static pressure on pressure and volume changes while using an RPD.
Using ISO/TS 16976‑4 also assists you to calculate the effect of RPD flow resistance on pressure and volume changes while using an RPD, effects of high static pressure to judge the acceptability of an RPD. Thus, minimizing the physiological impact of RPD use on the wearer, and ensuring the health and safety of all workers recommended by their occupation to wear RPD.
By adopting ISO/TS 16976‑4 the user can enhance the safety and health of all the workers that use RPD.
What is changed since the last update ?
PD ISO/TS 16976‑4:2019 is the second edition that replaces the first edition ISO/TS 16976‑4:2012. PD ISO/TS 16976‑4:2019 has made some technical changes. These include:
- Adjustment of key points in Figures 3, 4 and 7 to correspond with the 50 %-reference line
- Adjustment of keys in Figures 3, 4, 7, and 8
- Adjustment of Figures 3, 4, and 6
- Clarification on flow resistance and elastic load is given in 7.4
