MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Members-Only Webinar: AMCA COVID-19 Guidance for Large-Diameter Ceiling Fans

Nov. 3, 1-2 p.m. EDT

Presenters:

• Liangzhu (Leon) Wang, PhD, P.Eng., associate professor, Department of Building, Civil, and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, principal investigator
• Paul Raftery, PhD, professional researcher, Center for the Built Environment, University of California, Berkeley, ceiling-fan modeling
• Christian Taber, principal engineer, codes and standards, AMCA member company, warehouse model and large-diameter-ceiling-fan modeling

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A Message From President Mats Sándor ...

Addressing the Lack of Female Representation in AMCA Leadership

AMCA lacks women on its international board and regional steering committees.

Of the more than 40 individuals currently serving on AMCA’s international board and regional steering committees, only one is a woman. Meanwhile, over the course of AMCA’s more than 100-year history, only three women have served on the international board and only one has served as president.

It is due time to correct this, and we must work together to effect positive change for the long term.

It is no secret that ours is a male-dominated industry, despite many examples of women with the right combination of skills, knowledge, and experience to lead. Women in the workplace face a number of obstacles to advancement, some deeply entrenched in corporate culture. Together, we must remove those barriers.

During its most recent meeting, AMCA’s international board discussed this, ultimately deciding to establish a working group with the intention of increasing the participation of women on AMCA’s regional steering committees so they may later be appointed to the international board of directors. A number of other trade associations have implemented similar frameworks; to them, we must catch up and, where possible, lead the way.

I urge all members to participate actively in this initiative and consider nominating competent women for leadership positions.

AMCA Readying Results of COVID-19 Study for Large-Diameter Ceiling Fans

AMCA is preparing to share with the buildings industry findings from its recently concluded study of the impact of large-diameter (greater than 7 ft [2.1 m]) ceiling fans (LDCF) on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) exposure.

Conducted in collaboration with Concordia University and teams of experts in health science, building science, and fan engineering under the auspices of the AMCA North America Region Steering Committee, the year-long study involved more than 220 parametric computational-fluid-dynamics (CFD) simulations. Though the focus was a warehouse in the United States, the results are applicable to many manufacturing/industrial facilities.

“This well-constructed and executed study by Professor (Liangzhu [Leon]) Wang and his team … is a significant contribution to knowledge about the effects of HVAC systems on risk of infection transmission and will be helpful both to building operators and to organizations developing guidance for airborne-infection-risk mitigation,” William P. Bahnfleth, PhD, PE, professor of architectural engineering at The Pennsylvania State University and chair of the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force, who served as science-team leader for the project, said.

The origins of the study date to August 2020, when AMCA learned of COVID-19 guidance for the operation of circulating fans published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and others that neither referenced research nor seemed to be based on prior practice, AMCA Senior Director, Global Affairs Michael Ivanovich said. In response to that guidance, AMCA commissioned Concordia University to conduct numerical-simulation studies of airborne-particle and aerosol transmission in a warehouse with LDCF. Because COVID-19 infection rates are poorly understood and varying with mutations, the study focused on particle concentrations as an indicator of exposure risk.

To promote integrity in the design and execution of the research and ensure the conclusions drawn from the study are valid and useful, AMCA assembled industry and science teams. Consisting of representatives of AMCA member companies and members of the AMCA staff, the industry team provided expertise in the application and performance of products, while the science team, made up of authorities on infectious diseases, indoor-air quality, fans, and computer modeling, advised on the project setup and reviewed the intermediate and final results.

The results of the study were used to develop guidance combining particle-concentration considerations with thermal-comfort constraints for building operators and other individuals with control over the operation of fans in large, sparsely occupied spaces.

“On behalf of its members and industry, AMCA initiated an in-depth research project on COVID-19 exposure risk to provide organizations with information on which to base guidance,” Ivanovich, who served as project manager for the study, said. “The project was peer-reviewed from start to finish by an international team of scientists, and the complete final report and the modeling input files will be made public for complete transparency.”

“AMCA wishes to thank member companies Big Ass Fans, Greenheck Fan Corp., Hunter Industrial, and MacroAir Technologies for volunteering to help fund the study,” AMCA Executive Director Mark Stevens said. “We commend Dr. Wang and his team at Concordia University for the modeling and the science and industry teams for their contributions to the study design and the review of the results and guidance.”

A high-level summarization of the final report will be featured in the 2021 edition of AMCA inmotion magazine, which will be distributed with the November issue of ASHRAE Journal, part of a multimedia plan to publicize the results of the study. Stay tuned for details.

Webinar on AMCA COVID-19 Guidance for Large-Diameter Ceiling Fans Set

AMCA’s recently concluded study of the impact of large-diameter (greater than 7 ft [2.1 m]) ceiling fans (LDCF) on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) exposure in a warehouse in the United States is the subject of a members-only webinar that will be held Nov. 3 from 1-2 p.m. EDT.

Presented by Liangzhu (Leon) Wang, PhD, P.Eng., associate professor in the Department of Building, Civil, and Environmental Engineering at Concordia University, who served as principal investigator for the study; Paul Raftery, PhD, professional researcher with the Center for the Built Environment at the University of California, Berkeley, who was responsible for ceiling-fan modeling; and Christian Taber, principal engineer, codes and standards, for an AMCA member company, who was responsible for the warehouse model and LDCF modeling, and moderated by AMCA Senior Director, Global Affairs Michael Ivanovich, who served as project manager, “AMCA COVID-19 Guidance for Large-Diameter Ceiling Fans” will examine the design and execution of the study, the results, and consequent guidance for building operators and other individuals with control over the operation of fans in large, sparsely occupied spaces.

The webinar is worth one professional-development hour. To register, click here.

2020 AMCA inmotion Article Receives Honorable Mention in Folio: Awards

“UV-C for HVAC Air and Surface Disinfection,” an article from the 2020 edition of AMCA inmotion magazine, received an honorable mention in the 2021 Folio: Eddie & Ozzie Awards during a gala at Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City Oct. 14.

Written by Daniel Jones, co-founder and president of UV Resources, and Michael Ivanovich, AMCA senior director, global affairs, and edited by Scott Arnold, AMCA manager of industry content and AMCA inmotion editor in chief, “UV-C for HVAC Air and Surface Disinfection” provides engineer-level guidance for the use of ultraviolet C energy to continuously reduce and even prevent the growth of dangerous microbes in HVAC systems and the circulation of infectious pathogens in air streams. It was honored in the Eddie Awards category of Single Article, Association/Nonprofit, Professional/Membership Association.

With a wide range of resources, including a website, newsletters, conferences, and recognition events, Folio: provides strategies, news, and insight publishers need to drive audience engagement and revenue growth. It started the Eddie & Ozzie Awards to celebrate editorial (Eddie Awards) and design (Ozzie Awards) excellence in the publishing community. Entries were judged by an independent panel of media executives, as well as by the staff of Folio:, based on creativity and innovation.

“Our most important criterion is proven success in aligning your brand’s mission with the end product,” Folio: explains on its website.

This is the third honor the 2020 edition of AMCA inmotion has received. In August, the magazine was announced as the winner of the Gold Stevie Award in the Other Publication – Association or Non-Profit category of the 18^th Annual International Business Awards, and in April, it received an honorable mention in the CSR & Nonprofit Award category of Annual Publication or Brochure as part of PRNEWS’ 2021 CSR & Diversity Awards.

The 2021 edition of AMCA inmotion will be polybagged and mailed with the November issue of ASHRAE Journal beginning Oct. 29.

AMCA-Proposed Changes to I-Codes Approved for 2024 Editions

The 2024 editions of the International Fire Code, the International Property Maintenance Code, and the International Building Code will include improved language pertaining to AMCA-scope products, after a number of AMCA-proposed changes to the codes went unopposed during the International Code Council’s (ICC’s) 2021 Group A public comment hearings and subsequently were approved by ICC members Sept. 21-26 in Pittsburgh.

The improved language revolves primarily around additional references to NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 80, Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives, and NFPA 105, Standard for Smoke Door Assemblies and Other Opening Protectives, which contain requirements for fire, smoke, and combination fire/smoke dampers, including the allowance for remote testing.

The AMCA North America Region Air Control Advocacy Committee (formerly Air Control Code Action and Review Committee [ACCARC]), working closely with code consultants Amanda Hickman of The Hickman Group and Bill Koffel, PE, FSFPE, SASHE, of Koffel Associates, was responsible for developing the code proposals.

“AMCA is very satisfied with the outcomes of its proposals this revision cycle,” AMCA Senior Manager, Advocacy Aaron Gunzner said. “AMCA believes that its approved proposals will help contribute to safer buildings through the continued proper application of life-safety dampers.”

Four of AMCA’s five proposals passed. The proposal that did not pass was a co-submitted public comment concerning static-ceiling-radiation-damper requirements and exceptions.

For more information, contact Gunzner at [email protected].

AMCA-Advocated Louver Provisions Added to NYC Construction Codes

On Oct. 7, New York City Council passed a major update to the NYC Construction Codes that includes AMCA-advocated provisions related to louvers.

“This is a prime example of AMCA advocacy in action that showcases how long-term advocacy efforts are rewarded,” AMCA Senior Manager, Advocacy Aaron Gunzner said. “AMCA’s involvement in this project began five years ago.”

In 2016, the AMCA Air Control Code Action and Review Committee (ACCARC, now North America Region Air Control Advocacy Committee) submitted to the NYC Department of Buildings a letter recommending changes to the city’s 2014 Mechanical Code. In late 2019, as part of a periodic review of ongoing efforts, ACCARC sent a follow-up letter advocating for the use of language mirroring that found in the 2015 International Mechanical Code, including references to ANSI/AMCA Standard 550, Test Method for High Velocity Wind Driven Rain Resistant Louvers, requirements. That led to an early 2020 meeting of an ACCARC working group and the technical committee responsible for reviewing updates to the code. A compromise was reached to update the applicable code sections. This agreed-upon language was carried forward in subsequent drafts of the code-update bill and ultimately passed.

AMCA was involved throughout the revision process, including providing written and verbal testimony supporting the work performed by the NYC Department of Buildings in June 2021.

“AMCA is very pleased to have positively and effectively contributed to updating these louver requirements in New York City's mechanical code,” Gunzner said. “This now-completed advocacy project was well-received by AMCA air-control members. AMCA thanks the NYC Department of Buildings and its technical committee for the opportunity to collaborate on updating this code section as part of the city’s code update.”

The updated code requirements will go into effect next year, with some parts taking effect as early as Jan. 1.

For more information on New York City’s code-revision process, click here. To reference a copy of the approved legislation, click here. For more information, contact Gunzner at [email protected].

AMCA Staff, Members, Consultants Collaborate on Multipronged CFEI Education/Communication Effort

AMCA’s recent publication of an in-depth white paper explaining, and a members-only spreadsheet for calculating, ceiling fan energy index (CFEI), the new regulatory metric for large-diameter ceiling fans (LDCF), was a true team effort, one involving the talents and efforts of more than a dozen members of the AMCA staff, AMCA consultants, and employees of AMCA member companies, AMCA Senior Director, Global Affairs Michael Ivanovich, who spearheaded the project, said.

“This was the first-ever AMCA release of a broad and deep white paper (“Introducing Ceiling Fan Energy Index [CFEI] and Changes to the U.S. Regulation for Large-Diameter Ceiling Fans”) accompanied by a regulatory member alert and a protection-encapsulated compliance-assessment tool,” Ivanovich said, adding the project can be thought to also include the May 26 members-only webinar “Update on Circulating and Ceiling Fan Regulations in China, Mexico, and the USA.”

“The webinar made it clear that packaging a white paper and calculator was needed,” Ivanovich said.

“First-ever products are difficult to pull off, especially with remote work keeping teams from benefitting from day-to-day in-person connections,” Ivanovich continued. “The project team consisted of 13 people.”

Ivanovich praised the work of AMCA Director of Marketing, Membership, and Education Robb Clawson and AMCA Education Manager Lisa Cherney, who organized and executed the May 26 members-only webinar; AMCA Executive Director Mark Stevens and AMCA Principal Engineer Tim Mathson, who provided technical inputs for the spreadsheet and white paper; AMCA Technical Director Nazme Mohsina, who developed the spreadsheet; Christian Taber, principal engineer, codes and standards, Big Ass Fans, who drafted substantial portions of the white paper and tested the spreadsheet; Dan Linder, national sales manager, HVLS fans, 4Front Engineered Solutions, who provided images for the white paper and tested the spreadsheet; AMCA Senior Manager, Advocacy Aaron Gunzner, who helped develop the white paper; AMCA Manager of Industry Content Scott Arnold, who edited the white paper and prepared the member alert; AMCA Director of Information Technology Bruce Hackett, who provided the means to securely download the spreadsheet; and Michael Chabraja, partner, Ice Miller, who developed the terms-and-conditions language for the calculator.

On May 27, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published in the Federal Register a final rule codifying the change of the regulatory metric for LDCF from cubic feet per minute (cfm) per Watt (cfm/W) to CFEI.

The change is a result of the Ceiling Fan Improvement Act, part of the Energy Act of 2020 provision in the omnibus bill signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020. The Ceiling Fan Improvement Act, which AMCA strongly supported, resolves constraints of the cfm/W metric on high-performing LDCF while making passage of low-performing LDCF from a simple reduction in speed more difficult.

The white paper, which explains CFEI, the DOE regulation, and how LDCF are tested and certified by AMCA, is available to the public on AMCA’s LDCF microsite at www.amca.org/LDCF.

The spreadsheet, which is designed to help members calculate CFEI using laboratory data from tests to any edition of ANSI/AMCA Standard 230, Laboratory Methods of Testing Air Circulating Fans for Rating and Certification, advises if CFEI values comply with the federal regulation and is supplemented with hyperlinks to DOE and AMCA LDCF resources. To access the CFEI calculator, log in to the AMCA Members Area of the AMCA website and scroll to and click on “AMCA Ceiling Fan Energy Index Calculator.”

The May 26 members-only webinar covered CFEI and an ANSI/AMCA Standard 230-15 erratum in detail. To view the video recording and download the presentation slides and related materials, log in to the AMCA Members Area of the AMCA website and click on “Proceedings from Member Only activities.”

“In an ever-changing world, AMCA must constantly evolve, and this project is a testament to the awareness and flexibility we need to serve our members and industry,” Ivanovich said.

AMCA Middle East Plays Host to AMCA President, International Staff

At the invitation of Amit Ahuja, chairman of the AMCA International board of directors, AMCA International President Mats Georg Sándor, AMCA International Executive Director Mark Stevens, and AMCA International Director of Marketing, Membership, and Education Robb Clawson traveled to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to visit AMCA Middle East in early September.

The visit corresponded with The Big 5 International Building & Construction Show in Dubai, as well as the AMCA Middle East Regional and Regional Steering Committee meetings. The meetings were focused on how AMCA International is serving the region’s interests, as well as AMCA International’s upcoming strategic-planning session.

The week’s activities also included a social gathering for regional members as well as a gala for regional members and industry dignitaries featuring ASHRAE President-Elect Farooq Mehboob, PE, as guest speaker. Mehboob highlighted the close relationship ASHRAE and AMCA have long enjoyed and challenged the organizations, along with the rest of the industry, to continue to strive for success and resilience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

FEI Module Available via AMCA Online Education Portal

The module “Fan Energy Index (FEI)” is the latest addition to the AMCA insite^TM Online Education Portal.

The module explains FEI and how it is replacing fan efficiency grade (FEG) as the metric for efficiency provisions for commercial and industrial fans and blowers in model energy codes and standards. Additionally, it provides examples of how FEI is applied with variable-air-volume (VAV) and constant-volume air systems and how code officials ensure compliance with FEI provisions. Upon completion of the module, learners will be able to:

• Describe the characteristics of FEI and how it reduces fan power consumption.
• Explain how FEI is referenced in model energy codes and standards, including what fans are covered or exempt.
• Identify how FEI is applied with VAV and constant-volume systems with respect to minimum requirements.
• Locate AMCA online resources for FEI as well as AMCA-certified FEI ratings.

The module, which takes approximately an hour to complete, is eligible for one professional-development hour. The cost is $35. To enroll, click here.

AMCA Translates Three More Publications and Standards Into Chinese

Three titles have been added to the growing library of AMCA publications and standards translated into Chinese:

• AMCA Publication 111-13, Laboratory Accreditation Program.
• ANSI/AMCA Standard 500-D-18, Laboratory Methods of Testing Dampers for Rating.
• AMCA Publication 511-21, Certified Ratings Program Product Rating Manual for Air Control Devices.

Chinese translations also are available for:

• ANSI/AMCA Standard 205-10, Energy Efficiency Classification for Fans.
• ANSI/AMCA Standard 210-16/ASHRAE Standard 51-16, Laboratory Methods of Testing Fans for Certified Aerodynamic Performance Rating.
• ANSI/AMCA Standard 300-14, Reverberant Room Method for Sound Testing of Fans.
• AMCA Publication 311-16, Certified Ratings Program Product Rating Manual for Fan Sound Performance.

The Chinese translations are available for purchase in the AMCA store. For more information, contact Preston Koh, Asia AMCA marketing manager, at [email protected].

Returning to Normalcy

For the first time since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, AMCA held an in-person meeting at its headquarters in Arlington Heights, Ill., Oct. 5, when members of the North America Region Steering Committee gathered to conduct a strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-threats (SWOT) analysis for North America and discuss regional nominations for the board of directors.

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