IEC PAS 63086-3-1-2023 PDF

Full title and description

IEC/PAS 63086-3-1:2023 — Household and similar electrical air cleaning appliances — Methods for measuring the performance — Part 3-1: Method for assessing the reduction rate of key bioaerosols by portable air cleaners using an aerobiology test chamber. This Publicly Available Specification defines a chamber-based test method to evaluate how effectively portable household air cleaners reduce the concentration and viability of experimentally generated airborne microorganisms (key bioaerosols).

Abstract

This document specifies a controlled-aerobiology-chamber method to assess reduction rates and viability changes of selected bioaerosols produced in the chamber when a portable air cleaner is operating. The procedure is intended for single-room, portable devices (mechanical filtration, UV, ionizers, photocatalytic oxidation, ozone in-unit technologies, etc.) and is aimed at producing repeatable laboratory performance data. The document explicitly excludes appliances intended for medical, veterinary or pharmaceutical applications and does not itself provide or validate health claims, sanitization, disinfection or sterilization procedures.

General information

• Status: Published (Publicly Available Specification / IEC PAS).
• Publication date: 2023-05-30.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 23.120 (Ventilators. Fans. Air-conditioners).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2023).
• Number of pages: 28 pages (PDF/publication length).

Scope

The standard provides a test procedure for measuring the capability of portable household and similar electrical air cleaners to reduce airborne concentrations and viability of selected experimentally generated bioaerosols in a specified aerobiology test chamber. It is applicable to common portable single-room technologies (filtration, UV, ionization, photocatalysis, ozone-producing units) when the device claims or is being evaluated for microorganism reduction. It does not apply to devices intended for clinical, veterinary or pharmaceutical use, and it does not define or endorse sanitization/disinfection/sterilization practices or health claims.

Key topics and requirements

• Chamber-based aerobiology test method for generating and measuring key bioaerosols (concentration and viability) under controlled temperature and relative humidity.
• Metrics for reduction performance, including reduction rate and viability reduction over time, and provisions for repeatability and test reproducibility.
• Applicability to a range of portable technologies (mechanical filtration, ultraviolet (UV), ionizers, photocatalytic oxidation, ozone in-unit technology).
• Test conditions, chamber sizing and test-sequence recommendations to simulate single-room use and enable comparison between devices.
• Exclusions and limits: not intended for medical/veterinary/pharmaceutical appliances; does not by itself support health or treatment claims, nor does it address full sanitization/disinfection protocols.

Typical use and users

Manufacturers of portable air cleaners use this PAS to generate laboratory performance data for design validation and marketing support (consistent with permitted claims). Independent testing laboratories and university research groups use the method to compare devices and to research aerosols and removal mechanisms. Regulatory bodies and product certifiers may use the procedure as part of performance assessment frameworks. Procurement teams and retailers may reference results produced to inform product selection and specification. Some users also apply the method for R&D and for verifying performance changes after product modifications.

Related standards

IEC/PAS 63086-3-1:2023 is part of the IEC 63086 series addressing household and similar electrical air cleaning appliances and their performance measurement methods. Work to produce a Committee Draft IEC/CD 63086-2-3 (Part 2-3: Particular requirements for reduction of microorganisms) is underway and is intended to replace or supersede the PAS with a full committee standard. Users should track the development of IEC/CD 63086-2-3 for updated or normative requirements.

Keywords

air cleaner; portable air purifier; bioaerosol; aerobiology test chamber; reduction rate; microorganism; viability; mCADR (microorganism CADR concept); IEC PAS; performance test; air cleaning appliance.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC/PAS 63086-3-1:2023 is a Publicly Available Specification published by the IEC that defines a chamber-based test method to assess how effectively portable household air cleaners reduce concentrations and viability of selected bioaerosols.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers procedures for generating key bioaerosols in a controlled test chamber, measuring airborne concentration and viability changes while a portable air cleaner operates, and producing repeatable reduction-rate performance data. It applies to common portable technologies but excludes medical, veterinary and pharmaceutical appliances and does not itself validate health claims or sanitization protocols.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Device manufacturers, independent test laboratories, research institutions, regulators, certifiers and procurement specialists use the method for performance evaluation, comparison and R&D. Test reports produced to this method can be used to support permitted product information and to inform lab-to-lab comparisons.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As of its publication date (30 May 2023) the document is published and in use as a PAS. A Committee Draft, IEC/CD 63086-2-3, is under development and is intended to replace or formalize requirements for microorganism reduction; stakeholders should monitor that development for changes that may supersede the PAS.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is a part (3-1) of the IEC 63086 family of publications dealing with household and similar electrical air cleaning appliances and methods for measuring performance. Other parts in the series address different test methods and particular requirements; the 63xxx series and related committee work cover broader performance and safety topics for air cleaning appliances.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords include: air cleaner, portable air purifier, bioaerosol, aerobiology chamber, reduction rate, microorganism, viability, performance test, IEC PAS 63086-3-1.