SA SNZ TS ISO 16976.5-2021 PDF

Full title and description

SA/SNZ TS ISO 16976.5:2021 — Respiratory protective devices — Human factors — Part 5: Thermal effects. Technical Specification (identical adoption of ISO/TS 16976-5:2020) providing guidance and data on thermal interactions between respiratory protective devices (RPD) and the human body to support design, testing and use of RPD.

Abstract

This Technical Specification summarises published biomedical and ergonomic data relevant to the thermal effects of respiratory protective devices on adult healthy men and women (age range 20–60 years). It covers surface temperatures that cause discomfort or tissue harm, the effects of breathing-gas temperature and humidity on airways and respiratory heat exchange, and how wearing RPD influences overall body heat exchange. The document is intended to inform standards development, design decisions and risk assessments rather than prescribe pass/fail performance limits.

General information

• Status: Superseded (replaced by AS/NZS ISO 16976.5:2024).
• Publication date: 28 May 2021.
• Publisher: Standards Australia (jointly published with Standards New Zealand).
• ICS / categories: 13.340.30 (Respiratory protective devices; human factors / ergonomics).
• Edition / version: Technical Specification (SA/SNZ TS) — 1st joint revision 2021 (identical to ISO/TS 16976-5:2020).
• Number of pages: 14 pages.

Scope

Provides background information and reference values to inform standards and guidance on thermal aspects of respiratory protective devices. Topics include surface temperature thresholds for discomfort and injury, thermal effects of inhaled gas temperatures on the respiratory tract, influence of humidity and temperature on respiratory heat exchange, and the net effect of wearing RPD on whole-body heat balance. The guidance is aimed at healthy adults aged approximately 20–60 years and does not set regulatory performance requirements for specific hazard types.

Key topics and requirements

• Temperature thresholds for skin contact and components likely to cause discomfort or tissue damage.
• Effects of breathing-gas temperature and humidity on airway tissues and heat exchange in the respiratory tract.
• How RPD design and materials influence inhaled-gas conditioning, moisture accumulation and local thermal microclimate.
• Considerations for whole-body thermal load and implications for wearer heat stress and comfort.
• Data ranges and reference values intended to guide standards writers and designers (informative, not prescriptive).

Typical use and users

Used by standards developers, RPD designers and manufacturers, occupational health and safety professionals, ergonomists, test laboratories, regulators, emergency services procurement teams and occupational hygienists when assessing or specifying respiratory protective equipment for environments where thermal effects (hot or cold breathing gas, component surface temperatures, or wearer heat burden) are relevant.

Related standards

Part of the ISO 16976 series (human factors) and closely related to other RPD standards such as ISO 16900 series (methods of test and test equipment), ISO 16976-1/3/4/6/7/8 (other human-factors parts) and ISO/TS 16975 series (selection, use and maintenance). National adoptions and later revisions include AS/NZS ISO 16976.5:2024 (which adopts ISO 16976-5:2023).

Keywords

respiratory protective devices, RPD, thermal effects, human factors, ergonomics, breathing gas temperature, heat exchange, comfort, Standards Australia, Standards New Zealand

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: SA/SNZ TS ISO 16976.5:2021 is a joint Australian/New Zealand Technical Specification that identically adopts ISO/TS 16976-5:2020 and provides informative guidance on thermal effects associated with respiratory protective devices.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers temperatures that cause discomfort or tissue damage, the effects of inhaled-gas temperature and humidity on the airways and respiratory heat exchange, and the influence of RPD on the wearer’s overall heat balance. The content is informative rather than prescriptive.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Standards developers, respirator designers and manufacturers, occupational health and safety professionals, test laboratories, regulators and others involved in selecting or assessing RPD where thermal effects are a concern.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: It is superseded. SA/SNZ TS ISO 16976.5:2021 was published 28 May 2021 and has been superseded by AS/NZS ISO 16976.5:2024, which aligns with the subsequently published ISO 16976-5:2023.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 5 of the ISO 16976 series (human factors) addressing various anthropometric, physiological and ergonomic aspects relevant to respiratory protective devices.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Thermal effects, respiratory protective devices, RPD, breathing gas temperature, heat exchange, human factors, ergonomics, Standards Australia, Standards New Zealand.