PPE Testing Services
Face coverings and medical masks – Test suite: ASTM F2100 – Medical & surgical face masks Level I, II, and III
OIC offers a broad range of testing services for evaluating personal protective equipment including particle filtration efficiency, bacterial filtration efficiency, breathing resistance, synthetic blood penetration, and more.
Internationally recognized standards are followed meticulously to ensure accuracy of our results when evaluating your products. If a non-standard test is needed, our engineering team will develop and incorporate modifications to suit your specific product and data needs.
We pride ourselves on the ability to meet a customer’s specific needs with personalized service and rapid turn-around.
 | Barrier Face Covering
Non-medical masks are challenged with sub-micron salt particles to determine the percent efficiency of filtration at the most challenging particle size. This test method differs from ASTM F2299 as it does not use polystyrene latex particles. | |
 | Synthetic Blood Penetration (Masks)
Medical masks are challenged to resist penetration by increasing velocities of 2mL of synthetic blood disbursed by an air pressure source, simulating arterial blood splatter. | |
 | Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE)
Medical masks are challenged with aerosolized bacteria to determine the percent efficiency of filtration. Bacterial colonies are counted in a 6-stage cascade impactor after incubation. | |
 | Particulate Filtration Efficiency (PFE)
Medical masks are challenged with sub-micron polystyrene latex particles to determine the percent efficiency of filtration at the most challenging particle size. | |
 | Breathing resistance (per ASTM F2100)
Medical masks are tested for breathing resistance by measuring the differential pressure across the mask at an airflow rate of 8L/min. | |
 | Flammability of Textiles
Medical masks are elevated to a 45 degree angle, subjected to an ignition source and the burn time is recorded and classified into 3 levels. |