AAMI PB70, ASTM F2100, Level 2, SMS, 40 gsm — PPE packaging is built from abbreviations, and each one answers a different question. This glossary decodes the labels a clinic sees on isolation gowns, face masks and exam gloves, and it explains which shorthand describes fluid resistance, which describes filtration, and which describes the fabric itself. Use it to read a product box in under a minute and to compare two products on the same terms.
What does AAMI PB70 cover?
AAMI PB70 is the standard that sorts isolation gowns into four barrier levels based on how much fluid they resist under test. Level 1 is for minimal fluid contact, Level 2 for low contact, Level 3 for moderate contact, and Level 4 adds a viral-penetration test for higher-risk settings. The level is measured on the critical zone, the area most likely to be struck by fluid.
What does ASTM F2100 measure on a face mask?
ASTM F2100 sets the performance bar for medical face masks across five measurements: bacterial filtration efficiency, particulate filtration efficiency, differential pressure, splash resistance and flame spread. A mask is rated Level 1, 2 or 3 from those results. A three-ply mask that meets Level 3 has passed the higher filtration and fluid-resistance thresholds.
Bacterial filtration efficiency is shortened to BFE and particulate filtration efficiency to PFE. Differential pressure, written as delta P, describes how hard it is to breathe through the mask; a lower value means easier breathing at the same filtration level.
Which abbreviations describe the fabric itself?
GSM means grams per square metre and describes fabric weight; a 40 gsm gown is a mid-weight non-woven. SMS stands for spunbond, meltblown, spunbond, which is a three-layer construction rather than a standard. Two 40 gsm SMS gowns can therefore carry different barrier levels, so weight and level are not interchangeable.
Levels are not interchangeable between product types either. A Level 2 gown and a Level 2 mask are both called Level 2, but they were measured against different tests and different thresholds. When a policy document names a level, check which standard sits behind it before you substitute one product for another.
How do you read a PPE box quickly?
Read in a fixed order: the standard first, then the level, then the material and weight. For a gown that means AAMI PB70, then Level 1 to 4, then SMS and gsm. For a mask it means ASTM F2100, then Level 1 to 3, then the ply count. Comparing products in a different order invites a mismatch.
Two more designations appear often on exam gloves. ASTM D6319 covers nitrile examination gloves and ASTM D3578 covers latex examination gloves, so the number on the box tells you which glove standard the product meets. A product that carries an ASTM number has been tested against that standard rather than a house specification, which makes it easier to compare two suppliers on the same terms.
| Abbreviation | Stands for | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| AAMI PB70 | Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, PB70 | Gown barrier level 1 to 4 |
| ASTM F2100 | ASTM International, F2100 | Face mask filtration and splash level |
| BFE | Bacterial filtration efficiency | How well the mask filters bacteria-sized particles |
| PFE | Particulate filtration efficiency | How well the mask filters fine particles |
| SMS | Spunbond, meltblown, spunbond | Three-layer non-woven construction |
| GSM | Grams per square metre | Fabric weight |
For the two abbreviations above that carry a level, compare a 3-ply face mask rated ASTM Level 3 with a 40 gsm SMS isolation gown rated AAMI PB70 Level 2. The level is the number to compare first, because it is the one tied to a test. Clinics ordering across several rooms can price the volume through the wholesale ordering desk. Reselling? become a distributor.
Plan a month of PPE from the clinic supply planner and keep the printable compliance log for the products you must document. If you are validating a new test workflow, the BI 5-pack trial (CA $12.99, shipping included) is a low-commitment way to confirm your incubation routine.
Related Reading
- AAMI PB70 isolation gown levels
- ASTM F2100 levels explained for medical face masks
- AAMI PB70 levels explained: Level 1 vs 2 vs 3 isolation gowns
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AAMI PB70 the same as ASTM F2100?
No. AAMI PB70 applies to isolation gowns, while ASTM F2100 applies to medical face masks. Both use numbered levels, but the tests and thresholds behind those levels are different.
Does a higher gsm always mean a higher barrier level?
No. Fabric weight and barrier level are separate measures. A heavier fabric can still carry a lower level if it has not passed the fluid-resistance test for the higher level.
What does Level 3 mean on a face mask?
It means the mask met the higher ASTM F2100 thresholds for filtration and splash resistance, which suits procedures with anticipated fluid or spray.
Why does the same gown say both SMS and 40 gsm?
SMS describes the construction, meaning spunbond, meltblown, spunbond, while 40 gsm describes the fabric weight. The two labels together describe the material, not the barrier level.
Last updated: October 2026. CliniEco Medical is a licensed medical device establishment (MDEL #35334).
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