A. AMCA - the Air Movement and Control Association International Inc. is an international not-for- profit trade association serving industry and the public since 1917.

One of AMCA's most important functions is operating its many Certified Ratings Programs.

In support of these programs, AMCA maintains independent product performance testing laboratories on an international scale.

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Q. What is the purpose of AMCA's Certified Rating Program and What kinds of performance are certified?

A. AMCA's Certified Rating Program provides the buyer, specified and user of air system devices assurance that the manufacturers' published performance data have been tested and verified.

Air System Components can have their performance ratings certified for:

Air Leakage
Air Leakage - Air Performance
Air Performance
Air Performance - Wind Driven Rain
Airflow Measurement Station - Air Performance
CFM/Watt - Air Performance
Positive Pressure Ventilators - Air Performance
Prefabricated Silencer - Sound & Air Performance
Sound and Air Performance
Water Penetration - Air Performance - Wind Driven Rain
Wind Driven Rain

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Q. What types of products are covered by the Certified Rating Program?

A. AMCA's Certified Rating Programs include performance ratings for:

Acoustical Duct Silencers
Air Curtain Units
Airflow Measurement Stations
Blowers
Circulating Fans
Dampers
Evaporative Coolers
Fans
Louvers
Positive Pressure Ventilators
Shutters
Water Penetration and Air Performance

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Q. How does AMCA's Certified Rating Program Work?

A. Manufacturing must submit units for testing at an AMCA independent laboratory. All tests are conducted in accordance with AMCA or recognized test standards, many of which are international standards.

Manufacturers' published ratings are verified for accuracy. catalogs containing the Certified Rating Seal are reviewed and approved by AMCA's engineering staff before they can be published and the seal can be used.

Additional laboratory tests are conducted every three years to assure continual conformance.

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Q. How is potential liability exposure affected?

A. By specifying the AMCA Certified Rating Seal, specifiers, designers and others can be relieved of certain liability problems and other legal entanglements frequently encountered in today's litigious climate.

Selection of equipment supported by an independent Certified Rating Program can greatly assist a specifier in demonstrating that "due diligence" was exercised in selecting equipment and that reasonable steps were taken to assure that performance guarantees would be met.

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Q. Who is eligible to participate in AMCA's Certified Rating Programs?

A. Any business engaged in the design, fabrication, assembly and sale of devices within AMCA's product scope is eligible and encouraged to participate in AMCA' Certified Rating Program.

The AMCA seal is a registered trademark in most industrialized countries.

How do I know if a product's published performance rating are certified?

1. Visit AMCA's website - section on "Companies & Products With Certified Rating" which is updated on a daily basis.

2. Check the manufacturer's catalogs's to identify products having performance rating certified under AMCA's Certified Ratings Program.

3. Look for the AMCA Certified Rating Seal affixed on products.

4. Contact AMCA's Certified Rating Program Department for information - phone - 847.394.0150, fax - 847.253.0088 or e-mail -crp@amca.org.

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A. AIR MOVING PRODUCTS - As defined in Section 5 of Publication 211-94, a product line is a series of product sizes, or an individual product where only one size is offered for sale, with a common design purpose and generally similar aerodynamic features, but not necessarily similar, aerodynamically that are cataloged under the same product description or name and that are within the scope of the Certified Ratings Program. For some types of fans, for example centrifugal fans, there is no distinction between belt drive and direct drive fans. They are considered the same product line. Other types, such as axial, are usually divided by belt driven and direct drive and are considered separate product lines. A single width, single inlet and a double width, double inlet fan are always separate product lines. Tubeaxial and vaneaxial fan are always separate product lines.

AIR CONTROL PRODUCTS - As defined in Section 3 of Publication 511-99, a product line is a series of product sizes with identical design features and a common design purpose cataloged under the same product description or name and/or identification references and whose performance ratings are based on a test of one of those sizes. Two air control products whose only difference is the construction material are considered separate product lines, but may be considered aerodynamically similar.

AIRFLOW MEASUREMENT STATION PRODUCTS -

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Q. Does AMCA review and approve electronic catalogs or website's that would contain AMCA'S CRP Seal?

A. Yes, AMCA's staff is required to review and approve all types of electronic catalogs. Appendix B of Publication 211 covers the special requirements. Electronic and printed catalogs's cannot have performance differences between them other than the 1% tolerance permitted by the program. Companies are not allowed to produce two catalogs on one product with different performance ratings, other than the 1% tolerance allowed by Appendix B.

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Q. On the back of the CRP-8 Form there are boxes at the bottom to the form listing six rating methods. What are these ratings?

A. Publication 211, Section A6 defines the rating methods and Section A7 lists the calculation requirements for each method. In addition to the catalogs data required for each rating method, Section A8 spells out the statements that should be shown adjacent to the rating tables. The rating methods apply to all air moving devices except air curtains. To determine which rating method applies to an air moving device, AMCA has developed a chart which is shown on the inside back cover of Publication 211. By checking the speed, drive losses, etc. the rating method can be determined.

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Q. When preparing information to send to AMCA in order to certify the ratings for a product line, what constitutes a complete submittal package?

A. AIR MOVEMENT PRODUCTS

STANDARD LICENSE

· CRP-8 Forms - These forms show the sizes in the product line and a summary of the test data used to prepare the catalogs.

· Test Results - Test reports should include results corrected to standard air density and constant speed (where applicable), performance curves and a photograph of each test setup. If the test was done in the AMCA laboratory, this information is not required.

· List of Dimensions for Each Size of the product line - Section J of Publication 211 specifies the dimension required for submittal for each type of air moving product. Note that more than one figure from Section J of Publication 211 may apply to given product.

PRODUCTS THAT ARE AERODYNAMICALLY SIMILAR TO A LICENSED PRODUCT

· CRP-A Forms

PRODUCTS THAT ARE BRAND NAMED FROM A LICENSED PRODUCT

· CRP-B Forms

PRODUCTS WHOSE DESIGN IS LICENSED FROM ANOTHER COMPANY'S LICENSED PRODUCT

· CRP-L Forms

AIR CONTROL PRODUCTS

STANDARD LICENSE

· CRP-5 Forms - These forms show the sizes in the product line and a summary of the test data used to prepare the catalogs.

· Test Results - Test reports should include a photograph of each test setup; if the test was done in the AMCA laboratory, this information is not required.

· Listing of Dimensions for Each Size of the Product Line - The required free area dimensions for louvers are given in Standard 500L (soon to be 500L), Figure 1. Damper dimensions should include width, height and depth as well as blockage area - as outlined in Standard 500D.

PRODUCTS THAT ARE AERODYNAMICALLY SIMILAR TO A LICENSED PRODUCT

· CRP-A Forms

PRODUCTS THAT ARE BRAND NAMED FROM A LICENSED PRODUCT

· CRP-B Forms

PRODUCTS WHOSE DESIGN IS LICENSED FROM ANOTHER COMPANY'S LICENSED PRODUCT

· CRP-L Forms

AIRFLOW MEASUREMENT STATION PRODUCTS

STANDARD LICENSE

· CRP-6 Forms

PRODUCTS THAT ARE AERODYNAMICALLY SIMILAR TO A LICENSED PRODUCT

· CRP-A Forms

PRODUCTS THAT ARE BRAND NAMED FROM A LICENSED PRODUCT

· CRP-B Forms

PRODUCTS WHOSE DESIGN IS LICENSED FROM ANOTHER COMPANY'S LICENSED PRODUCT

· CRP-L Forms

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Q. What is brand naming?

A. Brand naming is also called name plating. A company that buys an AMCA licensed product from another company and sells the product under it own name and the product designation is "brand naming" the product. AMCA requires a CRP-B from and a proof copy of the proposed catalog. Both the Original Equipment Manufacturer and the company that is brand naming the product line sign the CRP-B form. The form also lists the licensed model numbers and the equivalent model numbers of the product line to be brand named. The original Licensee is responsible for supplying performance rating information to the brand naming company.

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Q. How are the check tests handled for a brand named product?

A. The original Licensee is responsible for the Check tests. If the brand naming company rates the product over a performance range greater than that cataloged by the original Licensee, the original Licensee is responsible for certifying the extended rating.

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Q. When a licensed product is brand named, who is responsible for the assessment?

A. Under normal circumstances, the party brand naming the product pays the assessment. It can be arranged, however, for the original equipment manufacturer to pay the assessment provided that AMCA International staff gives its approval to this provision.

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Q. What are some of the recent changes in the certified rating program for louvers and dampers?

A. AMCA Publication 511-99 has a number of changes to the Certified Ratings Program. Section 11.11 now requires both the month and year of publication on the outside front or outside back cover of any catalogs containing certified ratings. The month shall be spelled out (i.e., "January", "February", etc.). Section 7.13 and 7.14 requires that the printed catalogs be submitted and compared with the approved proof before the license appendix is issued. Publication 511 also specifies the sizes required for testing dampers. Also included in Publication 511 are the requirements for cataloging wind driven rain.

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Q. When will I get my license for my new product line?

A. AMCA Publication 211, Section 7.14 and AMCA Publication 511, Section 7.14 require that AMCA receive a printed copy of the catalog after the proof has been approved, before the license appendix can be issued. When the printed copy has been received, AMCA staff will review the catalog to be sure it matches the approved proof and will then issue the license appendix and add the product line to AMCA's website. If the product line is already licensed and the catalog is being revised, the same procedure takes place. Until the license appendix is issued, a new product line is not a certified product.

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Q. I recently had my first product line licensed by AMCA International. May I use AMCA International's seal in my advertisements? What other requirements should I follow when advertising my product line?

A. Congratulations on joining AMCA International's Certified Rating Program. Proof copies or the equivalent of any promotional literature, advertising, or other publication must be submitted to AMCA International for approval.

This requirement is stated in:

Section 11.5.1 of publication 211, Certified Ratings Program-Air Performance

Section 7.5 of Publication 311-90, Certified Sound Ratings Programs for Air Moving Devices

Section 11.5.1 of Publication 511, Certified Rating Program for Air Control Devices

Section 11.5.1 of Publication 611, Certified Rating Program-Airflow Measurement Performance

Section 11.5.1 of Publication 1011, Certified Rating Program-Acoustical Duct Silencers

You may use AMCA International's seal in publications, advertising, displays, an exhibits when directly and specifically associated with a product currently licensed to bear the seal. If no performance ratings are present, no qualifying statement is required. Email us a copy of the proposed advertisement and we will review the ad the same day or the next day. We will than fax you approval.

For specific information, we suggest you refer to:

Section 10.5 and 10.6 of Publication 211-94, Certified Ratings Program-Air Performance

Section 8.3 and 8.4 of Publication 311-90, Certified Sound Ratings Program for Air Moving Devices

Section 10.4 and 10.5 of Publication 511-99, Certified Ratings Program for Air Control Devices

Section 10.5 and 10.6 of Publication 611-95, Certified Ratings Program-Airflow Measurement Performance

Section 10.5 and 10.6 of Publication 1011-9, Certified Ratings Program-Acoustical Duct Silencers

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Q. I have a fan that is not licensed by AMCA International to bear the seal, but it has been tested at their laboratory. What references can I make to the test?

A. Basically, you cannot advertise that a product has been tested at AMCA International. The use of any phrase that is liable to be misinterpreted to mean that products are licensed to use the AMCA Certified Rating Seal is prohibited. Phrases such as "tested and rated to AMCA International standards" cannot be used. The name "Air Movement and Control Association International, Inc., the acronym "AMCA " or the initials "A.M.C.A.," cannot be used in advertising matter, catalogs's, or similar material if the product is not licensed. Testing in accordance with AMCA International's standards does not imply in any way that product performance is certified, or that the product is licensed to bear AMCA International's seal. Please refer to AMCA International's Publication 211, Certified Rating Program-Air Performance, Section 11.4.5. and the back of the Test Agreement Form(TAF).

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Q. I had the proof of my catalogs approved by AMCA International and it has been sent to the printer. Can I distribute the catalogs as soon as it comes back from the printer?

A. A printed catalog cannot be distributed until:

A copy of the printed catalogs has been sent to AMCA International and our staff has verified that the printed catalogs is exactly the same as the proof catalogs, relative to the requirements of the Certified Ratings Program.

Upon Verification, AMCA International will issue an appendix to the existing license agreement.

When you receive the license appendix, you may distribute the printed catalogs.

AMCA International's staff will immediately add the product line or make changes to a currently licensed product model, as applicable, to AMCA International's website.

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