This standard method applies to portable household electric room air cleaners as defined in Section 3.

This standard method includes definitions and safety characteristics of portable household electric room air cleaners of the types indicated.

This standard method measures the relative reduction by the air cleaner of particulate matter suspended in the air in a specified test chamber. It also prescribes a method for measuring the operating power and standby power of the air cleaner.

This standard method has defined limits of measurability based on the statistical accuracy of the methods. Based on a 95% confidence limit (2 standard deviations), a CADR cannot be distinguished between zero (0) and a CADR rating less than those CADR limits shown below. Therefore, the standard only applies to air cleaners with minimum CADR ratings of:

Dust CADR = 10 cfm

Cigarette smoke CADR = 10 cfm

Pollen CADR = 25 cfm

The maximum CADR values are determined based on theoretical maximum limits. The theoretical maximum limits are determined by the maximum number of initial available particles, the acceptable minimum number of available particles, an average background natural decay rate (from statistical study), the size of the chamber, and the available minimum experiment time. CADR values greater than those listed will not have the necessary statistical data required by this method. Therefore, the standard only applies to air cleaners with maximum CADR ratings of:

Dust CADR = 400 cfm

Cigarette smoke CADR = 450 cfm

Pollen CADR = 450 cfm

The precision of the Standard as based on a 0 CADR air cleaner expressed as 2 standard deviation limits (95%) are:

Dust CADR = + 10 cfm

Cigarette Smoke CADR = + 10 cfm

Pollen CADR = + 25 cfm

PURPOSE

This standard method establishes uniform, repeatable procedures and standard methods for measuring specified product characteristics of portable household electric room air cleaners.

The standard methods provide a means to compare and evaluate different brands of portable household electric room air cleaners regarding characteristics significant to product use.

The standard methods of measurement are not intended to inhibit improvement and innovation in product testing, design or performance.