Pivotal Events That Marked What We Are Today
In the last 100 years, the Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International has been dedicated to promoting the health, growth, and integrity of the air systems industry by providing a collective voice for its members. Throughout history, several significant challenges and decisions have influenced the organization we see today.
1920-1940s Setting Industry Standards
During the 1920s through the 1940s, there was a focus on developing uniform standard procedures in the industry. The fan testing standard rose, and this was followed by the collaborative publication of The Performance Test Code between AMCA and ASHRAE. This collaboration was instrumental in forming a cooperative relationship that continues to this day.
In the 1930s, the first move toward certification occurred with the promotion of certification stickers for members that tested and rated to a standard. Advocacy efforts were made due to the government's impractical engineering specifications, resulting in the development of a code for testing fan sound ratings.
The acoustic test standard was published in the 1940s, but the war effort caused a shortage of fans, and member laboratories were inundated with government witness testing.
Today, over sixty industry standards and publications are used and referenced in engineering specifications worldwide. AMCA standards are recognized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and the majority of methods are aligned with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
1960-2000 Internal and External Expansion
Between 1960 and 2000, our organization experienced both internal and external growth. This period began with our relocation from Michigan to Park Ridge, Illinois, just outside of Chicago. A few years later, the need for laboratory space led us to our current location in Arlington Heights.
In the 1970s, we made further progress by changing our name to the Air Movement and Control Association, adding divisions such as louvers and dampers, and welcoming our first European member. During the 1980s, the operations of the Home Ventilating Institute were merged with AMCA.
Expansion in the 1990s included doubling the size of the testing laboratory to include three reverberant rooms and an elevated temperature test facility. Our testing laboratory is accredited through the American Association for Laboratory of Accreditation (A2LA) in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 and 17065 testing and calibration for testing and calibration on more than 20 air system products for various efficiencies, leakage, stability, and sound. Additionally, we are certified to provide certification to over 60 licensed laboratories under the AMCA Laboratory Accreditation Program.
1916-1919 Trust and Quality
In 1916, AMCA began as the National Credit Association of Fan Manufacturers in Michigan. Its primary goal was to address unregulated products and promote trust and quality control. AMCA tackled these issues by educating the public about the science and art of fan engineering.
Continuing this legacy, AMCA is now a preferred onsite and online education resource. We are an approved continuing education provider by the Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP) and are authorized to offer PDH credits for qualifying programs.
1950s Trusted Certification
In the 1950s, we played a key role in establishing the Air Moving and Conditioning Association by merging with the Power Fan Manufacturers Association. The establishment of the Certified Ratings Program (CRP) and the Laboratory Accreditation Program (LAP), was formalized in 1957. We conduct thousands of tests each year, replicating real-world conditions such as rain, sand, wind, extreme temperatures, and other environmental factors. This enables us to assess how well a product can withstand harsh conditions like category three hurricanes and desert sandstorms. These programs have been essential in testing, inspecting, certifying, and ensuring product quality, further solidifying our position in the industry.
2000 Global Demand
The growing demand for air system products has driven significant expansion in the Asian market. We recognized the need for strict testing standards and rating requirements, which led to a successful licensing agreement for testing with KTC of South Korea. This partnership evolved into a joint venture entity, Asia AMCA. To better serve the extensive Asian market, Asia AMCA relocated its accredited laboratory to Johor, Malaysia, surpassing the number of North American members.
In response to the demand for third-party laboratory-accredited testing, AMCA established license agreements with CETIATE in France and Thomas Bell-Wright in the UAE, and established representation in Europe and the Middle East.
Continuing the Mission
Since our establishment, AMCA has been at the forefront of advancing the air system industry through advocacy, certification, standards, laboratory accreditation, compliance verification, and education. Our influence extends across continents as we advocate for high-quality standards in diverse markets. Our strategic foresight enables us to stay ahead of emerging industry dynamics and demands.
We are a member-driven organization of manufacturers committed to developing precise and reliable air system products that provide comfort and promote health, and we are deeply thankful for the industry’s support over the years. Here's to another 100 years of supporting the health, growth, and integrity of the air system industry and the manufacturers who choose it.
Whom Do I Contact?Air Movement and Control Association International, Inc.