window.location.replace("/login.html?returnId=598");

AMCA Members-Only Newsletter

April 30, 2021

MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Members-Only AMCA insite Webinar: "Future Changes to AMCA Publication 211"

May 19

1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT

Register now!


2021 AMCA Idea Exchange

May 27

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. EDT

Virtual event of particular interest to sales and marketing, human-resources, and manufacturing professionals from AMCA member companies.

Register now!


Update Your AMCA Library

Click here to shop for AMCA technical documents, including the revised AMCA Publication 211, Certified Ratings Program Product Rating Manual for Fan Air Performance, and ANSI/AMCA Standard 500-D, Laboratory Methods of Testing Dampers for Rating.

Click here to learn more about CETIAT's AMCA CRP fan-testing capabilities.

AMCA White Papers

Stay abreast of topics that are top of mind for AMCA and its members. Check out AMCA's white-paper library by clicking here.

A Message From President Mats Sándor ...

While, over the course of my 30-plus years in the HVAC industry, I have seen plenty of ventilation-system designs and installations that have been nothing short of amazing, I have seen more than my fair share that, to put it kindly, have left a lot to be desired. Often, when I see these unfortunate systems, with their misapplied components, convoluted ductwork, and the like, I cannot help but shake my head and laugh. That amusement, however, quickly gives way to sadness, sadness over the unrealized potential—to save energy, to ensure a comfortable, healthy, and safe environment—of these systems.

There is no shortage of reasons for poor system performance, and, unfortunately, not all causes are visible to the naked eye. Ignorance, poor design, and substandard information from the manufacturer are but a few of the reasons the wrong fan may be selected. An incorrect adjustment—or the failure to make an adjustment—following a system change, meanwhile, can lead to a fan operating at the wrong duty point.

Poor system performance also can be the result of cheating. I have seen examples of products and technical data having been copied and fan curves parallel-adjusted upward. Incorrect technical data additionally may result from a manufacturer not having the knowledge or equipment to make accurate measurements. These types of errors are difficult to detect without accurate control measurements, especially when fans are part of a larger system.

There also are examples of poor performance resulting from incorrect interpolation of fan sizes, fan operating points, and blade pitch angles.

Whether plain as day or invisible and requiring testing to detect, these barriers to better building performance drive our efforts to cultivate trust. Verification by a third party that a product’s technical data are correct and presented properly means the customer can rest easy knowing the product underwent a rigorous certification process. We invite everyone to support us in our efforts to strengthen accountability and build confidence in the HVAC sector. We all have a part to play in raising the standard within our industry, the importance of which in maintaining health and safety is underscored in these challenging times.

True to its mission, AMCA is doing its part to “advance the knowledge of air systems and uphold industry integrity on behalf of AMCA members worldwide.” Through its Certified Ratings Program, AMCA provides assurance a product line has been tested and rated in conformance with AMCA International standards and requirements. Through its Laboratory Accreditation Program, it demonstrates a laboratory is qualified to test products in accordance with AMCA International and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) methods. Through its various education and training initiatives—white papers, webinars, online training modules, AMCA inmotion magazine—it promotes knowledge exchange. And through its advocacy efforts in the regulatory, legislative, and standardization arenas, it promotes and defends the cause of efficient, healthy, and safe buildings.


2021 AMCA Idea Exchange Rescheduled

To capitalize on the launch of its new virtual-event platform and to avoid conflicts with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) meetings, AMCA rescheduled the 2021 AMCA Idea Exchange, which now will be held May 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. EDT.

“We are excited about the new platform, Airmeet, and its potential for engagement and interaction, which should make for a more memorable and meaningful experience for attendees,” AMCA Director of Marketing, Membership, and Education Robb Clawson said. “We intend to use it for many of our future events and meetings.”

How businesses can manage operations and staff and sustain performance and quality in a COVID-19 world is the focus of the 2021 AMCA Idea Exchange. For $100 (USD), attendees can view:

  • The opening general session, “Ideas for Managing Your Workforce in Challenging Times,” presented by Keri De Bruin, human-resources consultant and coach, Apex Coaching & Consulting LLC.
  • Either of two breakout sessions: the sales-and-marketing-focused “How to Be a Dynamic and Successful Virtual Seller!,” presented by award-winning sales trainer Sue Hershkowitz-Coore of SpeakerSue, or a human-resources-and-manufacturing-focused roundtable discussion with human-resources consultant Beth Ann Fell of e-360 Solutions LLC.
  • The closing economic general session, “Moving Forward,” presented by Alex Chausovsky, senior business advisor, ITR Economics.

A special $50 (USD) rate is available for those who wish to view only the closing economic general session.

For more information, download the event brochure.

To view video messages from the presenters and to register, click here.


Future Changes to AMCA 211 Subject of Members-Only Webinar


Credit: Rawf8/Bigstock

On May 19 at 1 p.m. ET, AMCA will present “Future Changes to AMCA Publication 211,” a free, professional-development-hour- (PDH-) eligible webinar for AMCA members only.

Presented by Rad Ganesh, PhD, PE, chair of the AMCA Publication 211 committee, and Nazme Mohsina, AMCA technical director, the 90-minute webinar will cover significant changes to AMCA Publication 211, Certified Ratings Program Product Rating Manual for Fan Air Performance, recently approved by the AMCA Publication 211 committee and how they will affect members’ fan certifications.

The webinar is worth 1.5 PDH through Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP).

To register, click here.



Oregon Adopts Fan Energy Index


Credit: smolaw/Bigstock

On April 1, the 2021 Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code (OEESC) went into effect, making Oregon the second state to adopt fan energy index (FEI) as the metric for efficiency provisions for commercial and industrial fans and blowers.

The OEESC, which was unanimously approved by the Oregon Construction Industry Energy Board Feb. 9, is based on ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 90.1-2019, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, in which FEI was approved to replace fan efficiency grade (FEG) in 2019.

On Dec. 31, Florida became the first state to adopt FEI when the seventh (2020) edition of Florida Building Code: Energy Conservation, which incorporates the latest changes to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), including fan-efficiency provisions based on FEI, took effect.

With these developments, Florida and Oregon are paving the way for other states to implement FEI requirements through the adoption of ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 90.1-2019; the 2021 IECC; ANSI/ASHRAE/ICC/USGBC/IES 189.1-2020, Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings; or the 2021 International Green Construction Code, all of which contain fan-efficiency provisions based on FEI, AMCA Advocacy Manager Aaron Gunzner said.

AMCA supports state adoption of the FEI provisions found in ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 90.1-2019 and the 2021 IECC. The association is developing templates to facilitate the replacement of the FEG language found in the two prior editions of ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 90.1 and the IECC with the FEI language found in the current versions.

Twenty manufacturers representing more than 400 product lines have certified FEI ratings. For a complete list, click here.

For more on FEI, including educational modules, regulatory updates, and advocacy resources for state energy codes, visit AMCA’s FEI microsite.

To view the 2021 OEESC, including responses to submitted testimony, click here.


2020 Edition of AMCA inmotion Receives PRNEWS Honor

The 2020 edition of AMCA inmotion magazine received an honorable mention in the CSR & Nonprofit Award category of Annual Publication or Brochure as part of PRNEWS’ 2021 CSR & Diversity Awards April 27.

The Annual Publication or Brochure award “recognizes outstanding publications for shareholders and other key constituents.” The 2020 edition of AMCA inmotion was one of five finalists, who “represent the communicators who use their platforms for the betterment of their communities and the global community at large.”

The 2019 and 2018 editions of AMCA inmotion won the CSR & Nonprofit Award for Annual Publication or Brochure last year and the year before, respectively.

Polybagged and mailed with the October issue of ASHRAE Journal, the 2020 edition of AMCA inmotion was edited by AMCA Manager of Industry Content Scott Arnold and art-directed by Chicago-based freelance designer, illustrator, and photographer Bonnie James. It contains the following articles:

AMCA wishes to thank the following advertisers for their support of the 2020 edition of AMCA inmotion: Greenheck, Loren Cook Co., Aire Technologies Inc., American Ultraviolet, Big Ass Fans, ebm-papst, The New York Blower Co., Pottorff, Ruskin, Systemair, Berner International, Nailor Industries Inc., UV Resources, Howden, Mars Air Systems, and 2021 AHR Expo.

PRNEWS is a source of information, education, recognition, and data for Fortune 1000 professionals, agencies, and government/non-profit organizations. The CSR & Diversity Awards honored the finalists in both PRNEWS’ CSR & Nonprofit Awards and inaugural Diversity Awards.

Scott Arnold is accepting article proposals for the 2021 edition of AMCA inmotion, which will be published in November. Contact him at [email protected] or +1 847-704-6335.


AMCA Participating in Hearings on Changes to 2021 I-Codes


Credit: LogotypeVector/Bigstock

AMCA is providing input on proposed changes to the International Codes (I-Codes), including the International Fire Code, the International Mechanical Code, and fire-safety and general provisions of the International Building Code, as part of the International Code Council’s (ICC’s) Group A 2021 Committee Action Hearings (CAH), which are being held virtually April 11 through May 5.

Working with code consultants The Hickman Group and Koffel Associates, AMCA’s Air Control Code Action and Review Committee (ACCARC) and Air Movement Code Action and Review Committee (AMCARC) examined the Group A codes for opportunities to improve language pertaining to AMCA-scope products. Following the review, AMCA in early January submitted to the ICC five proposals. Those proposals are included in a 2,300-page monograph published for the CAH. From the approximately 1,200 proposals contained in the monograph, The Hickman Group highlighted a few dozen for AMCA staff and committee members to review. AMCA staff whittled that number to two dozen proposals they deemed to be of the highest priority for AMCA. Those proposals were discussed during ACCARC and AMCARC meetings, with follow-up, including the contacting of other stakeholders in an attempt to reach compromises on proposed changes, conducted as needed.

During the CAH, proposals can be approved as submitted, approved with modifications from the floor, or rejected.

“With one week remaining in the four-week hearings, AMCA has had very favorable results with the proposals of greatest interest to AMCA members,” AMCA Advocacy Manager Aaron Gunzner said. “This success is largely due to the verbal testimony of consultants Amanda Hickman and Bill Koffel and the efforts of AMCA members who participated in task-force meetings leading up to the hearings. AMCA expects the last week of the hearings to be just as successful.”

On May 24, a report of the CAH will be posted on the Web. The public then will have until July 2 to comment. Addenda stemming from the public-comment period will be posted on the Web on Aug. 13 and discussed during a hearing in Pittsburgh Sept. 22-29.

The full 2021/2022 ICC code-development schedule is available here.

For more information, contact Gunzner at +1 847-704-6337 or [email protected].

Visit the AMCA Newsletter library for past issues.