Barrier Performance |
Barrier Protection |
Resistance Measures |
Test |
Test Criteria |
Acceptable Quality Level |
Level 1 |
Minimal |
Liquid Penetration |
AATCC42 |
Water Impact ≤ 4.5g |
4% |
Level 2 |
Low |
Liquid Penetration |
AATCC42 AATCC127 |
Spray Impact ≤ 1.0g Hydrostatic Pressure ≥ 20cm |
4% 4% |
Level 3 |
Moderate |
Liquid Penetration |
AATCC42 AATCC127 |
Spray Impact ≤ 1.0g Hydrostatic Pressure ≥ 50cm |
4% 4% |
Level 4 |
High |
Liquid and Viral Penetration |
ASTM F1671 |
Pass |
4% |
AAMI Levels defining the best level of protection for the standard ANSI/AAMI PB70:2012 involves an understanding of the critical zones of a gown and what each level of barrier performance entails, so that the best gown is chosen for use by healthcare workers.
The critical zones of gowns comprise of the front of the gown and the sleeves, which are both primary areas with the greatest risk of exposure to fluids and Blood Borne Pathogens. As the level increases, so does the need for greater barrier protection for the entire critical zone.
Level 1: Minimal level of fluid barrier protection
Level 2: Low level of fluid barrier protection
Level 3: Moderate level of fluid barrier protection
Level 4: Highest level of fluid and viral barrier protection
References Pfiedler Enterprises 2016, AAMI Levels and Surgical Gowns: Know if You’re Protected, viewed 17 July 2018, AATCC TM42-2017, Water Resistance: Impact Penetration Test, American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, RTP, NC, USA, 2018, AATCC TM127-2017, Water Resistance: Hydrostatic Pressure Test, American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, RTP, NC, USA, 2017, ASTM F1670 / F1670M-17a, Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Synthetic Blood, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2017, ASTM F1671 / F1671M-13, Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Blood-Borne Pathogens Using Phi-X174 Bacteriophage Penetration as a Test System, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2013,