Below is a selective information on codes/standards activities in the industry where AMCA is active in the U.S. market:
- AMCA Standard 205 Energy Efficiency Classification for Fans
- Fan Efficiency Grades (FEGs) and ASHRAE 90.1
- Fan Efficiency Grades (FEGs) and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
- Fan Efficiency Grades and the International Green Construction Code (IgCC)
- AMCA 205 and Other Codes and Standards
- Air Curtains and International Green Construction Code (IgCC)
- Air Curtains and International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
- U.S. Dept. of Energy Proposed Rule making
The Foundation of Industry Building Blocks
AMCA Standard 205: Energy Efficiency Classification for Fans:
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ANSI/AMCA Standard 205-12 defines the classification for fans. The scope includes fans having an impeller diameter of 125 mm (5 in.) or greater, operating with a shaft power of 750 W (1 hp) and above, and having a total efficiency calculated according to one of the following fan test standards:
- ANSI/AMCA 210 / ANSI/ASHRAE 51 Laboratory Methods of Testing Fans for Certified Aerodynamic Performance Rating
- ANSI/AMCA 230 Laboratory Methods of Testing Air Circulating Fans for Rating and Certification
- AMCA 260 (induced-flow exhaust fans)
- ISO 5801 Industrial fans -- Performance testing using standardized airways
- All other fan types are excluded. The standard only applies to the fan, not the fan drive or the fan system
AMCA 205 can be used by legislative or regulatory bodies for defining the energy efficiency requirements of fans used in specific applications.
ANSI/AMCA Standard 205-12, Energy Efficiency Classification for Fans
Manufacturers can estimate FEG ratings for their fan lines in accordance with AMCA 205 and provide FEG ratings data in catalogs and electronic product-selection software. They also can have FEG ratings certified through the AMCA Certified Ratings Program, which was expanded in March 2011 to include Fan Efficiency Grades.
AMCA Publication 211-05 – Product Rating Manual for Fan Air Performance describes how fans are certified to bear the AMCA seal for Fan Efficiency Grade (FEG).
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| Click Here or image to visit ASHRAE homepage
2- AMCA 205 and ASHRAE 90.1:
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AMCA International collaborated with the ASHRAE SSPC 90.1 Committee and its Mechanical Subcommittee, and TC5.1 Fans to develop a fan efficiency requirement in the ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings.
The provision is written around ANSI/AMCA 205-12 Energy Efficiency Classification for Fans. It specifies a fan efficiency grade (FEG) 67, and that the fan shall be sized and selected within 15 percentage points of its peak total efficiency. A number of exemptions are granted, including fans with motors <= 5 HP; fan arrays with an aggregate motor HP <= 5 HP; powered roof/wall ventilators; fans installed in equipment bearing certifications for air or energy performance; fans that operate only during emergencies; and fans that are not within the scope of AMCA 205.
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A detailed technical article about the fan efficiency requirement in ASHRAE 90.1-2013, authored by John Cermak, PhD, and Michael Ivanovich, was published in the April 2013 issue of ASHRAE Journal.
Fan Efficiency Requirements for ASHRAE 90.1-2013, by John Cermak, PhD, ACME Engineering; and Michael Ivanovich, AMCA International, ASHRAE Journal, April 2013.
Fan Efficiency Grades and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
Fan Efficiency Grades and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
Following the approval of a fan efficiency requirement for ASHRAE 90.1-2013, ASHRAE and AMCA collaborated on code change proposals that seek to insert equivalent language the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with two important differences: fan efficiency grades for applicable fans would have to be "approved" and "labeled." These two measures would facilitate compliance checking and field inspections.
Fan Efficiency Grades and the International Green Construction Code (IgCC)
The 2012 International Green Construction Code is the first code or standard for energy efficiency or green construction to reference AMCA 205 Energy Efficiency Classification for Fans. AMCA International initiated the code change proposal and successfully defended it at the final action hearings in Phoenix in 2011.
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Click here or image above to visit the International Green Code Construction (IgCC) homepage
Fan Efficiency Grades and the International Green Construction Code (IgCC)
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The 2012 International Green Construction Code is the first code or standard for energy efficiency or green construction to reference AMCA 205 Energy Efficiency Classification for Fans. AMCA International initiated the code change proposal and successfully defended it at the final action hearings in Phoenix in 2011.
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| Click here or image above to visit online IgCC store |
Code Change Proposal
AMCA 205 and other codes and standards
International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO)
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| Click here or the image above to visit IAPMO homepage |
STATUS: As of July 15, 2013: The 2014 Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement, published by IAPMO as an overlay to the Uniform Mechanical Code and the Uniform Plumbing Code, will contain a fan efficiency requirement that is based on the language and requirements in Addendum u to ASHRAE 90.1-2010.
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| Click here or image above to Visit the IAPMO online store |
ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES 189.1 Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings
AMCA International has submitted a continuous maintenance proposal (CMP to the SSPC 189.1 committee for a fan requirement that is identical to the Standard 90.1 requirement, except that instead of having a sizing/selection window of 15 percentage points, the window is a more-stringent 10 percentage points.STATUS: As of Sept. 9, 2013: An AMCA Continuous Maintenance Proposal was submitted to Working Group 7 - Energy Efficiency; it is currently working its way through that subcommittee.
Air Curtains and IgCC
The 2012 International Green Construction Code adopted language referencing AMCA 220-05 Laboratory Methods of Testing Air Curtains for Aerodynamic Performance Ratings, allowing air curtains to be used in place of vestibules.
To aid engineers, architects, and code officials with applying air curtains in compliance with the IGCC, AMCA has made AMCA 220-05 and AMCA publication 222-08, Application Manual for Air Curtain Units, available:
AMCA Standard 220-05, Laboratory Methods of Testing Air Curtains for Aerodynamic Performance Ratings
AMCA Publication 222-08, Application Manual for Air Curtain Units
Air Curtains and IECC
A code change proposal, CE192-13, toward the 2015 IECC was submitted by AMCA, which was approved at the IECC (Group B) Committee Action Hearings in Dallas on April 27, 2013. The proposal seeks to add an exception to the section requiring vestibules; the exception reads as follows:
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6. Doors that have an installed air curtain that has been tested in accordance with ANSI/AMCA 220. Air curtains shall be controlled with the opening and closing of the door.
U.S. Dept. of Energy Proposed Rule making
On June 28, 2011, the U.S. Dept. of Energy published a "proposed rule making" in the Federal Register signaling their intent to develop energy efficiency standards for commercial and industrial fans, blowers, and fume hoods.
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| DOE |
Department of Energy Proposal (DOE)
On July 29, 2011, AMCA submitted comments with a position that is generally supportive of the proposed rule making (i.e., DOE has the authority to do so), and suggested that DOE adopt existing standards where applicable for fan terminology and testing.
View AMCA's submitted comments below
On December 20, 2011, AMCA representatives met with the U.S. Dept. of Energy Appliance Standards program to make introductions across the respective teams and to exchange information about fan-efficiency standards and regulation. As required for federal openness rules, AMCA submitted an "ex parte" memorandum to DOE to memorialize the meeting, which is now posted below;
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The meeting was requested by AMCA International to introduce the association’s leadership, standards, and experience in developing fan standards to DOE; to learn more about the DOE process for developing regulations for fan efficiency standards; and to inform DOE on how commercial and industrial fan markets work.
'ex parte'
On May 7, 2012, John Cymbalsky, who supervises the DOE Appliance and Equipment Standards Program, spoke at the AMCA Midyear Meeting, where he described the rule-making process in great detail. Click here for Mr. Cymbalsky's slides. On January 28, 2013, DOE published the Framework Document for public comment and industry response to 109 questions seeking input and clarification. The Framework Document presents DOE's current understanding of the fan market, its thinking regarding scope of coverage, possible approaches to regulating energy efficiency, and a description of DOE's process for developing a regulation and analyzing costs and benefits.
Mr. Cymbalsk'y slides documented;
The deadline for written comments to the Framework Document has been extended to June 3, 2013. Download or view a PDF of the Framework Document below here.
DOE Framework Document for Fans;
Information on submitting comments and attending the public hearing are on the DOE website click here to view.
On February 21, 2013, DOE held a public hearing at DOE Headquarters in Washington, DC. At the hearing, DOE presented a PowerPoint slide show that described the Framework Document and sought feedback to most of the 110 questions in the Framework Document.
AMCA sent a delegation consisting of Tim Kuski and Aaron Gotham, Greenheck Fan Inc.; Dan Hartlein, Twin City Fan; Mark Bublitz, New York Blower Co.; Robert Valbracht, Loren Cook Fan; Wade Smith, Mark Stevens, and Michael Ivanovich, AMCA International. Consultant Rob Boteler also participated on behalf of AMCA International. At the hearing, AMCA delegates responded orally to most of the questions presented by DOE and DOE's contractors, and used PowerPoint slides to support some of their answers and positions.
View a PDF of the Public Hearing PowerPoint slides presented by DOE below;
View a PDF of the transcripts from the public hearing below,
View AMCA's PowerPoint slides below;
On May 29, 2013: AMCA submitted written comments to the DOE Framework Document. All comments were due June 2. Comments were submitted by a number of other organizations as well, including Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), Edison Electric Institute; Trane, ebm papst, Morrison Products, and non-governmental organizations such as American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE).
To see all comments from all organizations, visit the DOE Docket for the Fans and Blowers rule making by clicking here or image below.
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Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial and Industrial Fans and Blowers |
Status as of July 15, 2013: DOE is processing the framework comments. The next public milestone is the release of the Preliminary Technical Support Document and the Notice of Proposed Rule making for a Fan Efficiency Test Standard. Those documents are expected some time in mid-2014.
