Reading an ISO 16890 Test Report for a Retail Tenancy Fit-Out

If you are fitting out a retail tenancy or replacing filters in an existing store, the supplier’s test report is one of the quickest ways to check you are ordering the right product. It should tell you what the filter is designed to capture, how it performs when new, and whether it suits the air handling system it is going into.

For mechanical contractors and commercial tenants, the key is knowing which lines matter and which details must be confirmed with the mechanical services engineer or building owner before anything is ordered.

Why ISO 16890 matters on a fit-out job

ISO 16890 is the filter classification standard commonly used on modern supplier test reports. It groups particulate air filters by how well they capture different particle sizes, rather than only using older style dust arrestance or legacy class names.

In a retail tenancy fit-out, that matters because the ventilation system may already have a specified filtration level, or the tenancy may need a replacement filter that matches the existing system’s pressure and size constraints. If you are unsure what the system requires, check the mechanical drawings, the equipment schedule, or ask the mechanical services engineer.

You may still see older labels such as G3, G4, or F5 to F9 on product paperwork or in existing plantrooms. These are EN 779 classes and are still widely used in Australia, but they do not convert directly to ISO 16890 classes. If the report is an ISO 16890 report, read it as an ISO document, not as a direct replacement for an older rating.

Start with the filter class line

The first place to look is the classification line. This is usually where the supplier tells you the ISO 16890 class, such as ePM1, ePM2.5, ePM10 or Coarse.

What that line is telling you

• •Coarse means the filter is intended for larger dust particles, and the report should show how it was tested for coarse particulate capture.
• •ePM10 indicates the filter has been tested for particles in the ePM10 range.
• •ePM2.5 and ePM1 are tighter classifications for smaller particles, often used where finer filtration is specified.
• •The report should also show the efficiency band or performance range associated with that class.

For a retail fit-out, this line should align with the project specification and the unit’s operating needs. If the report says one class but the site call-up asks for another, pause before ordering. The right answer is whatever the project documentation and system design require, not whatever looks similar on paper.

Check the initial resistance

The next line to read is the initial resistance, sometimes shown as pressure drop, pressure loss, or initial differential pressure. This is a practical number because it tells you how much resistance the clean filter creates when air first passes through it.

A lower resistance is not automatically better if the filter class is wrong for the application. Likewise, a higher performing filter may place more load on the system, so the initial resistance must suit the fan and air handling unit.

When reading this part of the report, look for:

• •Units such as Pascals or millimetres of water gauge
• •Test conditions used for the figure
• •Whether the value is initial only or part of a resistance curve
• •Whether the report shows airflow rate used during testing

If the supplier report and the system schedule do not line up, confirm with the mechanical services engineer before ordering. For replacement work, it is also useful to compare the reported initial resistance with the current filter in service, especially where gauges or differential pressure indicators are fitted.

Read the media performance details, not just the headline class

A good test report should tell you more than the final rating. It should also describe the filter media, how the media was arranged, and any features that affect performance or fit.

Useful lines to check

• •Media type and construction, such as pleated media, panel media, or another design used by the manufacturer
• •Filter depth and frame type, which can affect fitting space and loading behaviour
• •Support structure for the media, especially if the filter is intended for higher airflow or longer service in dusty locations
• •Seal details, which matter where bypass leakage would be a concern
• •Notes on humidity or temperature limits, where the filter is intended for special conditions

For retail tenancies, the media description can help you compare an in-service filter with the supplier’s replacement. Two filters can share a similar size and class while still performing differently because the media pack, pleat count, or frame design is not the same.

If you are working to existing dimensions, it can also help to review how to measure an air filter before ordering. A small sizing mismatch can cause fit problems even when the rating looks correct on paper.

Confirm the dimensions, airflow and application notes

The report should clearly state the nominal or actual dimensions of the filter. This is essential on fit-out jobs, especially where the existing cabinet is tight or where the filter sits in a slide rail, holding frame or access door assembly.

Do not rely only on the old filter label if the unit has been altered or if the equipment has had non-standard replacements in the past. Measure the opening and check the filter seat if needed.

Also look for:

• •Airflow direction, if the filter is directional
• •Maximum airflow or recommended operating range
• •Installation orientation, where the product is meant to sit a certain way
• •Any notes about prefiltration or downstream protection

Some filters are designed to be washable - check the product instructions before cleaning or reusing them. If the report or product sheet does not mention washability, do not assume it can be reused.

Match the report to the site requirement

An ISO 16890 report is only useful if it is matched to the actual site requirement. For a retail tenancy, that means checking the report against the tenancy brief, the mechanical drawings, the equipment schedule and the building’s own requirements.

If the project is tied to a particular ventilation design, confirm the site requirements with the mechanical services engineer or building owner. AS 1668.2:2024 may be relevant to the ventilation design, but the exact requirement for your site should still be confirmed rather than assumed.

This is also the stage where you should decide whether you need a standard replacement or a custom-made product. If the current filter dimensions, frame style or performance requirements are unusual, custom air filters may be the better path than trying to force a near match into place.

Ordering the replacement with confidence

Once you have checked the class, resistance, media and dimensions, you should be able to place an order with far less risk of receiving the wrong filter. Keep the supplier report with the site records so future replacements can be matched more easily.

A practical ordering note for contractors and tenants:

• •Keep a copy of the test report with the equipment schedule
• •Record the filter size as installed, not just as assumed from the old label
• •Note the airflow direction and frame style
• •Check whether the system uses standard stock filters or a custom size
• •Monitor pressure drop where gauges are fitted, and follow the filter and equipment manufacturer instructions for inspection and replacement decisions

If the tenancy is part of a broader commercial fit-out or ongoing maintenance programme, it can also help to organise commercial filter servicing so the replacement record stays consistent across the site.

Need help matching the report to the right filter?

Total Air Filtration is a family-owned air filter manufacturer and supplier in Hillcrest, Brisbane QLD, established 2009. If you need help reading a test report, checking dimensions or sourcing the correct replacement, we can supply or make the right filters for your site.

Call 07 3800 3448 or request a quote. You can also browse our products or contact us if you want to talk through a fit-out or replacement order.