GB16556-2025
Respiratory protection—Self-contained open-circuit compressed air breathing apparatus
呼吸防护 自给开路式压缩空气呼吸器
GB 16556-2025 is an upcoming mandatory Chinese national standard for Respiratory protection—Self-contained open-circuit compressed air breathing apparatus. It appears in the Medical compliance cluster with a product safety focus and has an implementation date of Sep 1, 2026.
Applicability depends on product scope, certification route, competent authority notices and transition rules. Requst for the translation or verify source before using this record in a compliance decision.
Compliance overview
Scope and applicability
This standard applies to self-contained open-circuit compressed air breathing apparatus (commonly known as SCBA) designed for industrial and emergency services. It specifically covers apparatus used by personnel in firefighting, hazardous chemical handling, rescue operations, mining, petrochemical, and smelting industries. This standard is mandatory for all manufacturers supplying SCBA to the Chinese market. It explicitly excludes closed-circuit breathing apparatus, diving breathing apparatus, escape-only breathing apparatus, and negative-pressure apparatus.
Technical requirements
GB 16556-2025 specifies comprehensive technical requirements for the design, materials, and performance of SCBA. The apparatus is categorized by application (Industrial or Emergency) and cylinder material (steel or composite). Manufacturers must ensure the complete apparatus weighs no more than 18kg and maintains positive pressure within the mask during operation. The standard mandates strict requirements for breathing resistance and gas tightness under both high and low-pressure conditions. It introduces new performance criteria for extreme environments, including temperature adaptability (-30°C to 60°C), flame resistance, and thermal radiation resistance. Emergency use apparatus must now pass an overall flame engulfment test to ensure functionality and structural integrity during severe fire exposure. Additionally, the standard outlines specifications for critical components such as full face masks (including field of view, impact resistance, and CO2 content limits), pressure reducers, safety valves, and warning devices. It includes newly added requirements for optional advanced features like medium-pressure auxiliary connections, quick-fill devices, cylinder quick-change mechanisms, and Heads-Up Display (HUD) systems, which must meet specific IP67 ingress protection and explosion-proof ratings.
Testing methods
The standard outlines rigorous testing procedures, including temperature and humidity preconditioning, practical performance tests with human subjects, and simulated operational tasks. Key evaluations include low/high-temperature breathing resistance, material and component flame resistance using propane burners, and a specialized flame engulfment test (detailed in Annex A) using a metal mannequin. Manufacturers must also conduct immersion tests, impact resistance tests, and pressure resistance tests for high-pressure components to verify compliance.
FAQs
What products are regulated under GB 16556-2025?
GB 16556-2025 applies to industrial and emergency services self-contained open-circuit compressed air breathing apparatus. It does not apply to closed-circuit breathing apparatus, diving breathing apparatus, escape-only breathing apparatus, or negative-pressure apparatus. It is a mandatory standard.
Are there any major updates from the previous version of GB 16556?
The 2025 version transitions from a recommended (GB/T) to a mandatory standard. Key updates include new requirements for flame engulfment resistance, immersion performance, high-speed particle impact resistance for facepieces, and added technical specifications for quick-fill devices, cylinder quick-change systems, and Heads-Up Displays (HUD).
How does GB 16556-2025 differ from international standards like ISO or EN?
The standard incorporates methodologies and requirements referenced from international and regional standards such as ISO 16900-10, EN 137, and NFPA 1981. However, manufacturers must strictly adhere to the specific testing parameters and classification markings defined within GB 16556-2025 for Chinese market compliance.
The summary above provides a high-level overview of GB 16556-2025. To ensure complete compliance for your products entering the Chinese market, a precise and professional translation of the full technical specifications is essential. Purchase our high-quality English translation of GB 16556-2025 today to access all detailed parameters, tables, and testing procedures.
Applicability hints
- Type
- Product
- CCS
- C73
- ICS
- 13.340.30
- Competent department
- Ministry of Emergency Management
- Technical committee
- National Technical Committee on Personal Protective Equipment of Standardization Administration of China
Relationships
Replaces:GB/T 16556-2007