ASTM F1671 is the viral-level barrier test for protective clothing: the fabric faces Phi-X174 bacteriophage under a pressure sequence (0 kPa for 5 min, 13.8 kPa for 1 min, 0 kPa for 54 min) and must show zero penetration. Our three-layer laminated waterproof fabric passed with under 1 PFU/mL in all three specimens (TÜV SÜD, May 2026) — the stricter successor to F1670 synthetic-blood screening.
We're pleased to share that the three-layer laminated waterproof fabric used in our marine waterproof coat program has passed ASTM F1671/F1671M — the Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Blood-Borne Pathogens Using Phi-X174 Bacteriophage.
The test was carried out by TÜV SÜD on fabric taken from a finished dark-navy waterproof coat produced for a Canadian customer's marine program (report no. 66.430.26.1972.01, May 2026). All three specimens passed with zero penetration.
For buyers supplying EMS crews, law enforcement and public-safety teams, this answers a question that comes up more and more often in tenders: does your waterproof shell also block bloodborne pathogens? In our case — yes, and at the viral level, not just the synthetic-blood screening level.
What ASTM F1671 Actually Tests
ASTM F1671 is the stricter of the two bloodborne pathogen (BBP) barrier tests. Instead of synthetic blood, the challenge agent is a live Phi-X174 bacteriophage — a virus surrogate far smaller than bacteria. A fabric sample is mounted in a penetration cell and exposed to the viral suspension under a defined pressure sequence:
- 0 kPa for 5 minutes
- 13.8 kPa (2 psi) for 1 minute
- 0 kPa for 54 minutes
The other side of the specimen is then assayed for any virus that made it through. In our report, the assay result for all three specimens was <1 PFU/mL — no detectable penetration, while the positive control showed full penetration as expected. In plain terms: under sustained pressure and a viral challenge, the fabric acts as a barrier, not a sponge.
F1670 vs F1671 — Why This Result Is the Higher Bar
ASTM F1670 uses synthetic blood as the challenge agent. It is the screening test most public-safety, duty-wear and workwear tenders reference.
ASTM F1671 uses the Phi-X174 virus surrogate. It is the confirmation test for viral-barrier claims in medical, isolation and higher-risk EMS specifications.
In short: F1670 is the entry-level BBP benchmark, F1671 is the stricter viral-barrier step up. A fabric that passes F1671 has cleared the tougher of the two tests — if your tender references F1670, an F1671 pass report more than covers the clause.
Why a Three-Layer Fabric Passes
The tested material is a three-layer laminated construction: a woven outer face, a continuous waterproof-breathable membrane, and an inner backing layer. The membrane is a sealed film with no open pores for liquid — or virus — to wick through. Combined with fully taped seams on the finished garment, the two usual leak paths (the fabric itself and the needle holes along every seam) are both closed.
That is also why un-coated or merely "water-repellent" (DWR-only) fabrics generally fail this test: DWR sheds droplets but does not form a continuous barrier under sustained pressure.
Who Asks for It
- EMS and first-responder outerwear — exposure to blood and body fluids at accident scenes
- Law enforcement and corrections duty wear — jackets specified "bloodborne pathogen resistant"
- Public-works and sanitation crews — contact with contaminated fluids
- Canadian hi-vis and marine programs — CSA Z96 garment specs increasingly reference BBP resistance alongside visibility; the tested coat itself was built for a Canadian marine program
What This Means for Your Program
- Proven construction: the tested three-layer fabric is in production on a live marine waterproof coat program — not a lab-only development fabric
- Same treatment on request: the lamination and seam-taping system can be applied to other shell constructions (hi-vis rain jackets, duty shells, PU or ePTFE membrane options) when a different weight or hand-feel is needed
- Full documentation: the TÜV SÜD test report is available with your quotation package under NDA
- Certified to order: for programs requiring finished-garment certification or additional standards (EN 343, ISO 3071 pH — also passed in the same report), we run the testing before mass production
If you are writing a tender for EMS, law-enforcement or public-safety outerwear and need the BBP clause covered at the viral-barrier level, [send us the spec](/#contact) — we reply within 24 hours with the test report reference, MOQ and target price.
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Fujian Rising Outdoor Products Co., Ltd. is a BSCI, SMETA and SCAN-audited manufacturer of outdoor workwear and PPE, serving brands in the EU, US, Canada and Australia since 2012.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ASTM F1670 and F1671?+
F1670 screens with synthetic blood at visual level; F1671 uses the Phi-X174 bacteriophage — a virus-sized surrogate — with microbiological assay detection. F1671 is the stricter, viral-level test, and passing it automatically covers the F1670 requirement. Buyers specifying bloodborne-pathogen protection increasingly write F1671 directly.
What did the TÜV SÜD test on this fabric show?+
Three specimens of our three-layer laminated fabric (face cloth, membrane, backer) were tested to ASTM F1671/F1671M in May 2026: all showed under 1 PFU/mL — no detectable viral penetration through the full pressure sequence. The same report covered ISO 3071 pH, also passed. The full report is available to buyers under NDA.
Who needs ASTM F1671-certified rainwear?+
Marine and offshore crews handling biological hazards, wastewater and sanitation work, emergency and disaster-response teams, and healthcare-adjacent field services. In our case the test was commissioned for a Canadian customer’s marine program. Most general construction rainwear does not need it — it is a specialist barrier spec.
Why does a three-layer fabric pass when coatings struggle?+
The laminate’s continuous membrane is a physical barrier with no needle-created paths when seams are correctly constructed, and the bonded three-layer build resists the pressure cycling that flex-cracks simple coatings. Barrier performance lives in the membrane; the face and backer protect it.
About Fujian Rising Outdoor Products
BSCI, SMETA and SCAN-audited manufacturer of outdoor workwear & PPE since 2012. 865 workers, 250 computerized sewing machines. Serving brands in the EU, US, Canada and Australia.
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