This International Standard specifies conditions and criteria for the automated monitoring of the mass concentration of particulate matter in stationary source gas streams. This includes performance characteristics and test procedures.

This International Standard provides the field evaluation test program and its application to automated monitoring systems. Its approach is general and not limited to a specific measurement principle or instrument system. The scope includes system operation characteristics, calibration, test procedures and data treatment.

This International Standard is applicable only on a site-specific basis by direct correlation with the manual testing method in ISO 9096. If site conditions change (i.e. change in emission controls, change in fuel type), the calibration needs to be repeated. The mass concentration range of application is only confined to those automated methods that can meet the calibration specifications. Consequently, the actual range will vary according to the measurement technique of the automated method.

Changes in the physical properties (i.e. size, shape, colour, etc.) and chemical composition of the particulate matter may exist, to the extent that the integrity of the calibration cannot be maintained for the measurement system used. In such instances this technique ceases to be applicable. Reported and suspected limitations of various measurement methods need to be evaluated on a site-by-site basis.