How to Ensure AMCA-Certified Products Get Installed. An AMCA International White Paper. September, 2015

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1 September, 2015 How to Ensure AMCA-Certified Products Get Installed An AMCA International White Paper AMCA International 30 West University Dr. Arlington Heights, IL USA This white paper is available to download at no cost at

2 LISA ULLRICH, AMCA INTERNATIONAL MICHAEL IVANOVICH, AMCA INTERNATIONAL SEND COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS TO How to Ensure AMCA-Certified Products Get Installed With a Step-By-Step Checklist ABSTRACT This white paper describes what building industry professionals need to know to properly specify an AMCAcertified product and then ensure that product gets installed. Included are a handy step-by-step checklist and several practical examples. BENEFIT FROM AMCA-CERTIFIED VALUE The AMCA International Certified Ratings Program is a globally recognized third-party program that assures buyers, specifiers and other building industry professionals that manufacturers published data for air movement and control products are accurate. SELECT AN AMCA-CERTIFIED PRODUCT TYPE If you want to specify an AMCA-certified product, first verify that the product type is one that AMCA certifies. For example, many of the components within an air handling unit can be AMCA certified, but AMCA does not certify air handling units. An AMCA Certified Ratings Program seal indicates product performance data has been verified and meets a rigorous set of standards. 1

3 STEP 1: SELECT AN AMCA-CERTIFIED PRODUCT TYPE Agricultural fans Axial fans Ceiling ventilators Centrifugal fans Energy recovery ventilators Evaporative coolers Jet tunnel fans Mixed flow fans Power roof ventilators Propeller fans Air circulator fans Air curtains Induced flow fans Positive pressure ventilators Airflow measurement stations Dampers: volume control, isolation, economizer Louvers: weather-resistant, acoustic, sand-resistant Gravity ventilators Spiral duct Transverse duct connectors Acoustic duct silencers FIND AMCA-CERTIFIED PRODUCTS The most reliable way to find AMCA-certified products is to use our online certified products database at which includes a directory of licensed products. The web address for this online database is listed in the resources section of this document. Manufacturers also identify AMCA-certified products in their literature. If you select products based on manufacturer literature, it is good practice to verify certifications are current by checking our online database. Search for AMCA-certified products in our online database by Company name Product type Country License type AMCA offers the following types of licenses in the AMCA Certified Ratings Program: Air performance Sound Air leakage Water penetration Wind driven rain CFM per watt FEG (fan efficiency grade) Positive pressure ventilator Airflow measurement station Acoustic duct silencer Induced flow fan Circulating fan Efficiency 2

4 For example, if you are looking for an AMCA-certified induced flow fan, first search the online database by license type and then review products and literature by manufacturer. Certified Product Search By License Type >> Induced Flow Fan Please select a company: Certified Product Search By License Type >> Induced Flow Fan >> XYZ Company, Inc. >> Induced Flow Fans Please select a product type: > Azen Manufacturing Pte. Ltd. > Greenheck Fan Corporation > Loren Cook Company > M.K. Plastics Corporation Model 1234 Lab Exhaust Fan Models A, B, C, D, E, F Catalogs: Model 1234 Lab Exhaust Fan, Rev. 2 (Print) May 2015 Certification date: January 15, 2015 > Plasticair Inc. > Strobic Air Corporation > Twin City Fan Companies, Ltd. > XYZ Company, Inc Figure 1: To find a specific type of AMCA-certified product, search the online database by license type. Figure 2: After searching by license type, select a manufacturer to review products. Click on a catalog link to review performance. STEP 2: FIND AMCA-CERTIFIED PRODUCTS Search for certified products in AMCA s online database or Identify AMCA-certified products in manufacturer literature and verify certification in AMCA s online database VERIFY SPECIFIC CERTIFIED PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS It is important to understand that a product certified for a general license type, such as sound, may only be certified for specific parameters. For example, a fan may be certified to display the AMCA sound and air performance seal but only be certified for inlet LwA sound and air performance, not hemispherical sones or octave bands. Or a louver may be certified to display the AMCA water penetration and air performance seal but only be certified for intake pressure drop and water penetration, not exhaust pressure drop. To verify specific certified parameters, view approved manufacturer literature found or referenced in our online database. STEP 3: VERIFY SPECIFIC CERTIFIED PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS View approved manufacturer literature found or referenced in AMCA s online database WRITE A SPECIFICATION THAT ENSURES AMCA-CERTIFIED PRODUCTS GET INSTALLED After you have selected your AMCA-certified product and have verified the performance parameters you need certified, the next step is to write a product specification that will hold throughout the challenges of plan review and the ever-present threat of inappropriate substitution. First, write a performance specification. Avoid creating a specification that lists a particular product. Rather, make one that lists requirements for how that product type must perform. 3

5 Second, to ensure the specification clearly requires an AMCA-certified product, include statements for each product similar to those shown in the bulleted statements below, which use a fan product as an example. Reference the Table 1 excerpt in Figure 3 below, or reference the full Table 1 in this document for publication and standard references by product type. We suggest following the advice below while writing your specification. Include AMCA Publication 11 (Certified Ratings Program Operating Manual) in your specification. For example: Fan(s) shall comply with AMCA Publication Include the AMCA publication referenced in the CRP publications column from Table 1 (see Figure 3 below) for your particular product. For example:... and bear the AMCA Certified Ratings Program seal for air performance in compliance with AMCA Publication 211 and sound performance in compliance with AMCA Publication 311. Include the appropriate standards, found in the test/rating standards column in Table 1 (see Figure 3 below) for your particular product. For example: Induced flow fans shall be tested for air performance in compliance with AMCA Standard 260, for sound performance in compliance with AMCA Standard 300 and rated for energy efficiency in compliance with AMCA Standard 205. Products Certification License Types CRP Publications Test/Rating Standards Induced flow fans AMCA Publication 211 ANSI/AMCA Standard AMCA Publication 311 ANSI/AMCA Standard 300 ANSI/AMCA Standard 205 Figure 3: Excerpt from Table 1, shown in full in this document. Important: Do not include the following language in your specification without providing additional clarification: Tested in accordance with [a particular test standard] A product that was tested in accordance with an AMCA standard is not necessarily an AMCAcertified product. If you include this language without referencing compliance with AMCA 11-series publications, you open the door to a possible uncertified product substitution. Tested in an AMCA or AMCA-accredited laboratory Again, this language does not ensure that the product is certified. Do not use this language in your specification. For more information about writing a specification for AMCA-certified products, see the white paper How to Specify AMCA-Certified Products

6 STEP 4: WRITE A SPECIFICATION THAT ENSURES AMCA-CERTIFIED PRODUCTS GET INSTALLED Write a performance specification; do not flat spec a specific product Reference AMCA Publication 11 Include the AMCA publication referenced in the CRP publications column from Table 1 Include the appropriate standards from the test/rating standards column in Table 1 Do not include tested in accordance with [a particular test standard] without referencing compliance with the AMCA 11-series publications Do not include tested in an AMCA or AMCA-accredited laboratory VERIFY CERTIFICATION AUTHENTICITY The building design and construction process is long and complex. Things change along the way. Products get packaged with other products. Substitutions happen. From the time when products are specified to when they are procured, installed and commissioned, building industry professionals need to ensure that there are no eliminations of AMCA s cerritfication requirements or substitutions with uncertified products. The goal of the AMCA certification program is simply to ensure that air movement and control products perform as stated in manufacturer literature. But it is not always clear whether a product is certified or not. Below are items to check to verify that a product is, indeed, AMCA certified. VERIFY THE ACTUAL PRODUCT AGAINST THE SPECIFIED PRODUCT At submittal, installation and commissioning, verify the selected product matches the product specification. VERIFY CERTIFICATION IN THE ONLINE DATABASE Go to AMCA s online database and search by product, company, country or license type to verify certification. CHECK ONLINE FOR VIOLATIONS Go to AMCA s online certified products violations database to see lists of unlicensed products, program violation notices and products with licenses withdrawn. The web address for this online violations database is listed in the resources section of this document. VERIFY THE PRODUCT HAS THE CORRECT AMCA SEAL AMCA-certified products do not have to have a seal on them. But if there is a seal, look at Table 1 in this document to verify that the seal matches the certification requirement identified in the product specification. Also, printed seals on product packaging are not allowed and do not indicate AMCA certification. KNOW THAT AFFIXED SEALS ARE NOT REQUIRED ON AMCA-CERTIFIED PRODUCTS AMCA does not require a certified product to have an affixed seal. This is a manufacturer choice. Therefore, a product may be certified but not have a seal. Check our online database to verify certification. 5

VERIFY THE AMCA CERTIFICATION SEAL IS AUTHENTIC Regretfully, we have found that counterfeit AMCA seals do exist in the field. Table 1 in this document shows all AMCA seals.

Product manufacturers are not authorized to print their own seals for use on physical products; seals must be purchased directly from AMCA.

Authentic AMCA seal Counterfeit seal Authentic AMCA seal Counterfeit seal This seal on the right is too wide, and the text alignment and colors are incorrect.

Authentic AMCA seal Counterfeit seal Authentic AMCA seal Counterfeit seal AMCA-certified seals will always be in English. The seal on the right has the wrong font, text alignment and colors.

7 VERIFY THE AMCA CERTIFICATION SEAL IS AUTHENTIC Regretfully, we have found that counterfeit AMCA seals do exist in the field. Table 1 in this document shows all AMCA seals. Look carefully at the graphic design of AMCA seals to verify authenticity. Product manufacturers are not authorized to print their own seals for use on physical products; seals must be purchased directly from AMCA. Compare current seals found in the field with Table 1 in this document for verification. Authentic AMCA seal Counterfeit seal Authentic AMCA seal Counterfeit seal This seal on the right is too wide, and the text alignment and colors are incorrect. The seal on the right should say water penetration, not water performance. Also, the design, width, text alignment and colors are incorrect. Authentic AMCA seal Counterfeit seal Authentic AMCA seal Counterfeit seal AMCA-certified seals will always be in English. The seal on the right has the wrong font, text alignment and colors. It is also missing elements. Figure 4: Authentic and counterfeit AMCA seals VERIFY THAT PRODUCT AND COMPANY NAMES MATCH THE AMCA CERTIFICATION If an AMCA-certified product is sold to and renamed by a different company (nameplated), the renamed product must have its own AMCA certification to ensure product performance. Verify AMCA-certified products by name in our online database. LOOK FOR MISLEADING REPRESENTATIONS IN PRODUCT LITERATURE The AMCA seal can only be associated directly with a certified product. For example, an AMCA seal cannot be placed on the cover of a brochure that includes both certified and uncertified products. This is a strict AMCA requirement that helps avoid misrepresentation, usually unintentional, by manufacturers. Best practice is to reference approved product literature in the online database. 6

8 Also, the AMCA member logo does not indicate certification. It just means that the company is a member of AMCA. For that reason, AMCA does not allow the AMCA member logo to appear with any product performance data because readers might be confused, thinking this means a product is certified. The AMCA member logo should only be displayed on documents without performance data, such as letterheads, footers and company overview brochures. While this product may have been tested in accordance with AMCA standards, this is not the same as being AMCA certified and could be misleading. Air Flow Louver Model XX 000. The ratings shown are based on tests and procedures made in accordance with AMCA standard 500-L. The actual test results of water penetration and air performance may vary (+/-10%) depending on the actual application. Free area calculations are (+/-5%) Unit test size: 48 x 48 (Ratings reflect without the bird screen) MEMBER WIND DRIVEN RAIN PERFORMANCE It is a violation to show the AMCA member logo with product performance data because readers may conclude this product is AMCA certified, which may not be accurate. 1m x 1m Test Size Core Velocity 29 mpm Wind 3 in./hr. Rainfall Rate Water Pen. Effectiveness Water Pen. Classification 0 fpm - A 99 fpm 99.3 A 195 fpm 98.6 B 295 fpm 96.3 B 390 fpm 95.0 B 490 fpm 92.0 C 590 fpm 89.0 C 675 fpm 87.2 C Figure 5: This image is from a manufacturer s product catalog. The company name and model number have been changed for this illustration. STEP 5: VERIFY CERTIFICATION AUTHENTICITY Verify the actual product against the specified product Verify the product is in AMCA s online certified products database Check that the product is not in AMCA s online certified products violations database Verify the product has the correct AMCA seal by comparing to seals in Table 1 Verify the AMCA certification seal is authentic Check AMCA s online database to verify product and company names match AMCA certification CONCLUSION: CHOOSE AMCA-CERTIFIED, SPECIFY CORRECTLY AND VERIFY SELECTION There is significant value in being able to specify a building product that has independently-verified product performance data. Not all product types offer this value. Given that this benefit is available for many air movement and control products, it makes sense to not only gain the advantage from specifying a certified product, but to also ensure that the specified certified product actually gets installed. Specifying AMCA-certified air movement and control products and then carefully verifying product selection throughout the design and construction process will ensure products perform as described and expected. 7

9 Table 1. License types, publications and test standards associated with the 21 products covered by the AMCA CRP Products Certification License Types CRP Publications Test/Rating Standards Agricultural fans AMCA Publication ANSI/AMCA Standard Axial fans AMCA Publication ANSI/AMCA Standard Ceiling ventilators ANSI/AMCA Standard Centrifugal fans ANSI/AMCA Standard Energy recovery ventilators ANSI/AMCA Standard Evaporative coolers ISO Jet tunnel fans ISO Mixed flow fans Power roof ventilators Propeller fans Air circulator fans AMCA Publication 211 ANSI/AMCA Standard Air curtains AMCA Publication 211 ANSI/AMCA Standard AMCA Publication 311 ANSI/AMCA Standard 300 Induced flow fans AMCA Publication 211 ANSI/AMCA Standard AMCA Publication 311 ANSI/AMCA Standard 300 ANSI/AMCA Standard 205 Positive pressure ventilators AMCA Publication 211 ANSI/AMCA Standard Airflow measurement stations AMCA Publication ANSI/AMCA Standard More Table 1 on the next page u 8

10 Table 1 continued Products Certification License Types CRP Publications Test/Rating Standards Dampers, including volume control dampers, isolation dampers and economizer dampers AMCA Publication ANSI/AMCA Standard 500-D 17 Louvers, including weatherresistant, acoustic and sand-resistant louvers AMCA Publication 511 ANSI/AMCA Standard 500-L 18 ASTM E90 19 Gravity ventilators AMCA Publication 511 ANSI/AMCA Standard 500-L Spiral duct Transverse duct connectors AMCA Publication 511 ANSI/ASHRAE/SMACNA Standard Acoustic duct silencers AMCA Publication ASTM E

11 CHECKLIST TO ENSURE AMCA-CERTIFIED PRODUCTS GET INSTALLED STEP 1: SELECT AN AMCA-CERTIFIED PRODUCT TYPE Agricultural fans Axial fans Ceiling ventilators Centrifugal fans Energy recovery ventilators Evaporative coolers Jet tunnel fans Mixed flow fans Power roof ventilators Propeller fans Air circulator fans Air curtains Induced flow fans Positive pressure ventilators Airflow measurement stations Dampers: volume control, isolation, economizer Louvers: weather-resistant, acoustic, sand-resistant Gravity ventilators Spiral duct Transverse duct connectors Acoustic duct silencers STEP 2: FIND AMCA-CERTIFIED PRODUCTS Search for certified products in AMCA s online database or Identify AMCA-certified products in manufacturer literature and verify certification in AMCA s online database STEP 3: VERIFY SPECIFIC CERTIFIED PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS View approved manufacturer literature found or referenced in AMCA s online database STEP 4: WRITE A SPECIFICATION THAT ENSURES AMCA-CERTIFIED PRODUCTS GET INSTALLED Write a performance specification; do not flat spec a specific product Reference AMCA Publication 11 Include the AMCA publication referenced in the CRP publications column from Table 1 Include the appropriate standards from the test/rating standards column in Table 1 Do not include tested in accordance with [a particular test standard] without referencing compliance with the AMCA 11-series publications Do not include tested in an AMCA or AMCA-accredited laboratory STEP 5: VALIDATE CERTIFICATION AUTHENTICITY Verify the actual product against the specified product Verify the product is in AMCA s online certified products database Check that the product is not in AMCA s online certified products violations database Verify the product has the correct AMCA seal by comparing to seals in Table 1 Verify the AMCA certification seal is authentic Check AMCA s online database to verify product and company names match AMCA certification 10

12 REFERENCES 1 2 AMCA Publication 211. Certified Ratings Program Product Rating Manual for Fan Air Performance. Arlington Hts., IL: AMCA International, AMCA Publication 311. Certified Ratings Program Product Rating Manual for Fan Sound Performance. Arlington Hts., IL: AMCA International, ANSI/AMCA Standard 205. Energy Efficiency Classification for Fans. Arlington Hts., IL: AMCA International, ANSI/AMCA Standard 210 ANSI/ASHRAE 51. Laboratory Methods of Testing Fans for Aerodynamic Performance Rating. Arlington Hts., IL: AMCA International, ANSI/AMCA Standard 250. Laboratory Methods of Testing Jet Tunnel Fans for Performance. Arlington Hts., IL: AMCA International, ANSI/AMCA Standard 300. Reverberant Room Method for Sound Testing of Fans. Arlington Hts., IL: AMCA International, ANSI/AMCA Standard 320. Laboratory Methods of Sound Testing of Fans Using Sound Intensity. Arlington Hts., IL: AMCA International, ISO Performance Testing Using Standardized Airways. Geneva: ISO, ISO Industrial Fans Determination of Fan Sound Power Levels Under Standardized Laboratory Conditions. Part 3. Enveloping Surface Methods. Geneva: ISO, ANSI/AMCA Standard 230. Laboratory Methods of Testing Air Circulating Fans for Rating and Certification. Arlington Hts., IL: AMCA International, ANSI/AMCA Standard 220. Laboratory Methods of Testing Air Curtain Units for Aerodynamic Performance Rating. Arlington Hts., IL: AMCA International, ANSI/AMCA Standard 260. Laboratory Methods of Testing Induced Flow Fans for Rating. Arlington Hts., IL: AMCA International, ANSI/AMCA Standard 240. Laboratory Methods of Testing Positive Pressure Ventilators for Aerodynamic Performance Rating. Arlington Hts., IL: AMCA International, AMCA Publication 611. Certified Ratings Program Product Rating Manual for Airflow Measurement Stations. Arlington Hts., IL: AMCA International, ANSI/AMCA Standard 610. Laboratory Methods of Testing Airflow Measurement Stations for Performance Rating. Arlington Hts., IL: AMCA International, AMCA Publication 511. Certified Ratings Program Product Rating Manual for Air Control Devices. Arlington Hts., IL: AMCA International, ANSI/AMCA Standard 500-D. Laboratory Methods of Testing Dampers for Rating. Arlington Hts., IL: AMCA International, ANSI/AMCA Standard 500-L. Laboratory Methods of Testing Louvers for Rating. Arlington Hts., IL: AMCA International, ASTM Standard E90, Standard Method for Laboratory Measurement of Airborne Sound Transmission Loss of Building Partitions. DOI: /E West Conshohocken, PA: The American Society for Testing and Materials, ANSI/ASHRAE/SMACNA Standard 126. Methods of Testing HVAC Air Ducts and Fittings. Section 7. Atlanta: ASHRAE, AMCA Publication Certified Ratings Program Product Rating Manual for Acoustical Duct Silencers. Arlington Hts., IL: AMCA International, ASTM E477. Standard Test Method for Laboratory Measurements of Acoustical and Airflow Performance of Duct Liner Materials and Prefabricated Silencers. West Conshohocken, PA: American Society for Testing and Materials International, Brooks, Joseph; Michael Ivanovich; Lisa Ullrich. How to Specify AMCA-Certified Products

RESOURCES Online certified products database www.amca.org/certified-listed/cpsearch.php Online certified products violations database www.amca.org/certified-listed/ crpnotifications.

amca.org/store AMCA Laboratory Accreditation Program www.amca.org/testing/ becomeaccreditedlab.php AMCA listing and labeling programs for dampers and louvers www.amca.org/testing aboutlistingandlabeling.

org/whitepapers: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE AMCA CERTIFIED RATINGS PROGRAM Includes a detailed explanation of how the AMCA Certified Ratings Program (CRP) works and how to properly specify AMCA-certified

GUIDELINE SPECIFICATIONS FOR SELECTED AMCA- CERTIFIED PRODUCTS This white paper provides examples of specifications for AMCAcertified products that are of primary interest to the engineering

13 RESOURCES Online certified products database Online certified products violations database crpnotifications.php AMCA International headquarters and laboratory Asia AMCA offices and testing lab AMCA Certified Ratings Program white papers: CRP publications (no cost) and standards (for purchase) AMCA Laboratory Accreditation Program becomeaccreditedlab.php AMCA listing and labeling programs for dampers and louvers aboutlistingandlabeling.php DIRECTORY OF CRP WHITE PAPERS available at AN INTRODUCTION TO THE AMCA CERTIFIED RATINGS PROGRAM Includes a detailed explanation of how the AMCA Certified Ratings Program (CRP) works and how to properly specify AMCA-certified products for air systems, plus a mapping of the different CRP seals/labels, publications and test standards applicable to the 21 air movement and control products covered by the CRP. GUIDELINE SPECIFICATIONS FOR SELECTED AMCA- CERTIFIED PRODUCTS This white paper provides examples of specifications for AMCAcertified products that are of primary interest to the engineering community. It also provides a list of referenced AMCA standards and publications, as well as a list of online resources from AMCA International websites. HOW TO ENSURE AMCA- CERTIFIED PRODUCTS GET INSTALLED This white paper describes what building industry professionals need to know to properly specify an AMCAcertified product and then ensure that product gets installed. Included are a handy step-by-step checklist and several practical examples. AMCA INTERNATIONAL 30 WEST UNIVERSITY DRIVE ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL USA PUBLICATIONS@AMCA.ORG SEPTEMBER 2015 (COPYRIGHT PENDING) PHOTOGRAPHS ARE NOT AN IMPLICATION OF AMCA S ENDORSEMENT OF A PRODUCT OR COMPANY

AMCA Certified Ratings Program. An Introduction to the. An AMCA International White Paper. January 2018

January 2018 An Introduction to the AMCA Certified Ratings Program An AMCA International White Paper Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International Inc. 30 W. University Drive Arlington Heights,