 Mother Nature is the undisputed expert when it comes to airflow and movement. For the last century we have tried to duplicate her magnificent breezes and wind currents for use in man-made environments.
There are hundreds of companies that supply technology to keep these environments in continuous flow. Orchestrating most of this current activity is the Air Movement and Control Association International (AMCA), Inc., a not-for-profit international association comprised of the world's manufacturers of related air system equipment: fans, louvers, dampers, air curtains, airflow measurement stations, acoustic attenuators, and other air system components for the industrial, commercial and residential markets.
The role of the association is to provide a common ground where manufacturers of products within the association's scope can meet, develop standards, establish testing procedures and certify products to utilize the AMCA International seal on products that meet the Certified Ratings Program (CRP) criteria.
In addition, AMCA International continues to focus on the goals of its strategic plan. Those include:
- Leading the development and promoting unified, worldwide accepted testing standards and Certified Ratings Programs (CRP) for the movement and control of air;
- Building a reputation as the worldwide advocate, authority, and educational resource for the air movement and control industry;
- Providing the most accessible, worldwide testing labs for CRP related testing. AMCA has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with both a South Korean and a Chinese group, who will act as AMCA authorized agents to administer memberships, CRP and testing for Pacific Rim companies. Independent, AMCA Accredited Laboratories are being built in South Korea and China to further this goal.
Although AMCA does not actively lobby, it collaborates with organizations that do: International Code Council (ICC), National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) are organizations that, along with AMCA, directly affect building codes and standards. AMCA is very active in leading the development of, and promoting unified, worldwide accepted testing standards and Certified Ratings Programs for the air movement and control industry.
The AMCA seal of approval
As the AMCA International seal is increasingly more respected and utilized worldwide, AMCA International has continued to develop both in members and in the Certified Ratings Program. The interest and growth are evidenced by the contacts and membership inquiries AMCA receives daily.
AMCA International provides help and assistance to the membership by working with related industry groups and participating in activities that further promote the products manufactured by the members. The Certified Ratings Program (CRP) provides a level playing field for all participants, ensuring that reported performance of products is accurate.
Working with Code Bodies, specifiers, and design engineers provides knowledge, ensures specifying of AMCA certified products, assures the performance ratings of products used and further elevates the importance of CRP participation. Voluntary consensus standards provide invaluable assistance to members and the industry. All members of AMCA International sign and promise to adhere to a Code of Ethics, furthering the confidence level for contractors, specifiers, architects who specify AMCA certified products.
New approvals
Recently approved by AMCA are two new manuals- AMCA 502-06, Damper Application Manual for Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning, and AMCA 600-06, Application Manual for Airflow Measurement Stations.
Damper Application Manual for Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning provides information and important points to be considered when designing or specifying heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) installations requiring dampers for use in temperatures from -28°C to 121°C (-20°F to +250°F), pressures to 2500 Pa (10 in. wg) and velocities to 25.4 m/s (5000 fpm).
AMCA 502-06 application manual is not intended to be used for detailed specifications; rather it serves as a guide toward understanding the various types of dampers available and items to be considered for their proper use. For dampers classified as fire dampers, radiation dampers and smoke dampers, see AMCA Publication 503.
Application Manual for Airflow Measurement Stations provides information and important points to be considered when designing or specifying heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) and other applications in installations requiring airflow measurement stations (AMS) for use in temperatures from -30°C to +120°C (-20°F to +250°F), pressures to 250 Pa (10 in. wg) and velocities to 28 m/s (5500 fpm).
The AMCA 600-06 application manual is intended to assist designers and users with proper application, performance considerations, selection, and limitations of airflow measurement stations. This guide provides an overview of permanently installed airflow measurement stations and their application, such information not being readily available in current texts on HVAC or ventilation system design; helping to avoid typical problems, including, incorrect location, inappropriate measurement range, mismatched accompanying instrumentation, AMS incompatible with intended application, and the like.
The future
AMCA International works very diligently to move the association forward in line with the goals of its strategic plan. The plan has outlined the future priorities, which include goals of being the leader in development and promoting unified, worldwide accepted testing standards and the Certified Ratings Program for the air movement and control industry.
AMCA International also strives to be recognized as the worlds advocate, authority and educational resource for the air movement and control industry, and the leading provider of accessible worldwide testing labs for CRP related testing.
Barbara L. Morrison, Ph.D., CAE, is executive director of AMCA International. For more information visit www.amca.org
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