Why KN95?

What is a KN95 mask?

KN95 masks are classed as a filtering face-piece respirator (FFR). These can also be called disposable respirators.

The following specifications are listed to help clarify similarities between different FFRs:

  • KN95 (China GB2626-2006)
  • N95 (United States NIOSH-42CFR84)
  • FFP2 (Europe EN 149-2001)
  • P2 (Australia/New Zealand AS/NZA 1716:2012)
  • DS (Japan JMHLW-Notification 214, 2018)
  • Korea 1st class (Korea KMOEL - 2017-64)

FFR classification performance comparison.

Certification/ Class (Standard)

N95 (NIOSH-42C FR84)

FFP2 (EN 149-2001)

KN95 (GB2626-20 06)

P2 (AS/NZ 1716:2012)

Korea 1st Class (KMOEL - 2017-64)

DS (Japan JMHLWNotification 214, 2018)
Filter performance – (must be ≥ X% efficient) ≥ 95% ≥ 94% ≥ 95% ≥ 94% ≥ 94% ≥ 95%
Test agent NaCl NaCl and paraffin oil NaCl NaCl NaCl and paraffin oil NaCl
Flow rate 85 L/min 95 L/min 85 L/min 95 L/min 95 L/min 85 L/min
Total inward leakage (TIL)* – tested on human subjects each performing exercises N/A ≤ 8% leakage (arithmetic mean) ≤ 8% leakage (arithmetic mean) ≤ 8% leakage (individual and arithmetic mean) ≤ 8% leakage (arithmetic mean)
Inward Leakage measured and included in User Instructions
Inhalation resistance – max pressure drop ≤ 343 Pa ≤ 70 Pa (at 30 L/min) ≤ 240 Pa (at 95 L/min) ≤ 500 Pa (clogging) ≤ 350 Pa ≤ 70 Pa (at 30 L/min) ≤ 240 Pa (at 95 L/min) ≤ 70 Pa (at 30 L/min) ≤ 240 Pa (at 95 L/min)
≤ 70 Pa (w/valve) ≤ 50 Pa (no valve)
Flow rate 85 L/min Varied – see above 85 L/min Varied – see above Varied – see above 40 L/min
Exhalation resistance - max pressure drop ≤ 245 Pa ≤ 300 Pa ≤ 250 Pa ≤ 120 Pa ≤ 300 Pa
≤ 70 Pa (w/valve) ≤ 50 Pa (no valve
Flow rate 85 L/min 160 L/min 85 L/min 85 L/min 160 L/min 40 L/min
Exhalation valve leakage requirement Leak rate ≤ 30 mL/min N/A Depressurizatio n to 0 Pa ≥ 20 sec Leak rate ≤ 30 mL/min visual inspection after 300 L /min for 30 sec
Depressurizatio n to 0 Pa ≥ 15 sec
Force applied -245 Pa N/A -1180 Pa -250 Pa N/A -1,470 Pa
CO2 clearance requirement N/A ≤ 1% ≤ 1% ≤ 1% ≤ 1% ≤ 1%

Source: 3M