What is BFE?

BFE: Bacterial Filtration Efficiency, a measure of the filtration efficiency of a filtration system (e.g. surgical masks).

What is the Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) test?

The Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) test is conducted on filtration materials and equipment designed to provide protection against biological aerosols, such as masks, gowns, caps and air filters.

Why choose the BFE test?

The BFE test offers many advantages over other filtration efficiency tests. It has been used with little or no modification for many years and provides a standard reference for the comparison of filtration materials. The average particle size can be tightly controlled and sized using a six-stage live particle Anderson sampler, allowing for step-by-step analysis. The BFE procedure is reproducible and presents a tougher challenge to most filtration equipment than would be expected in normal use. Large amounts of material can be assessed in a relatively short period of time.

Studies have shown that coughing typically expels droplets of 5 to 20 microns in size. The BFE test measures the efficiency of the mask in filtering bacteria-laden droplets of approximately 3 microns in size. (The average width of human hair is about 70 to 100 microns.)

The higher the BFE, the more effective the mask is at preventing droplets containing bacteria from reaching the wearer. For example, a mask with a BFE of 95% - which meets the requirements for medical and surgical masks (ASTM F2100-19 Class 1 barrier protection) - will block 95% of droplets.

What testing equipment is used?

The Jester Bacterial Filtration Efficiency Tester, also known as a bfe tester, is used to test the percentage of bacterial suspended particles (BFE) removed from a wide range of medical and everyday protective mask materials at a defined flow rate.

The QINSUN Bacterial Filtration Efficiency Tester for masks is manufactured with a built-in UV disinfection lamp, two-stage high efficiency filter for 100% safe discharge and a sealed glass door with front opening and closing for easy operation and observation. Professional negative pressure biological cabinet safe working environment to ensure the safety of the operator. Built-in peristaltic pump with both A and B six-stage Anderson sampling.