Building on the instructors’ popular “Fan and Blower Applications Engineering I: Foundations” and “Fan and Blower Applications Engineering II: Troubleshooting and Efficiency" online technical seminars, this hybrid (online and in-person) course consists of three weekly online webinars; two online, on-demand modules; and a hands-on workshop at the headquarters of Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International in Arlington Heights, Ill. (USA). Participants use pitot tubes, manometers, and a host of other equipment to measure and calculate the flow rate and efficiency of two demonstration fan systems using methods and approaches from AMCA Publication 203, Field Performance Measurement of Fan Systems, and ISO 5802, Industrial fans — Performance testing in situ. Class size is limited to 18 people to allow for hands-on experience with the instruments.
Meeting online on Friday, Oct. 30; Friday, Nov. 6; and Friday, Nov. 13, and in person at Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International headquarters on Wednesday, Nov. 18; Thursday, Nov. 19; and Friday, Nov. 20, 2026.
Why Enroll
The in-depth knowledge gained from this course will enable engineers, designers, and technical-support personnel to accurately determine fan performance (flow, pressure, power, and efficiency) from field measurements.
Who Should Enroll
This course is designed for consulting engineers, application engineers, system designers, and technical-support personnel who desire the advanced knowledge required to field-test the performance of fan and blower systems in commercial, industrial, and institutional applications.
The inaugural "Fan and Blower Applications Engineering III: Verification and Optimization" class in the training room at AMCA International headquarters in Arlington Heights, Ill., November 2025.
Participant Requirements and Prerequisites
All instrumentation and equipment will be provided by the instructors, although participants may bring their own manometer. Participants should bring a laptop computer loaded with Microsoft Excel.
Participants should be comfortable using mathematics to solve problems and be familiar with the creation and use of Microsoft Excel spreadsheets.
The instructors recommend participants complete “Fan and Blower Applications Engineering I: Foundations” and “Fan and Blower Applications Engineering II: Troubleshooting and Efficiency" or have gained equivalent knowledge through experience in the fan industry. Individuals who have not completed “Fan and Blower Applications Engineering I: Foundations” and “Fan and Blower Applications Engineering II: Troubleshooting and Efficiency" are urged to check with the instructors ([email protected], [email protected]) prior to registration to ensure they will be able to keep up with the pace of the course.
Individuals who have completed “Fan and Blower Applications Engineering I: Foundations” and “Fan and Blower Applications Engineering II: Troubleshooting and Efficiency" are urged to review the materials from those courses.
Schedule
Webinars:
- Friday, Oct. 30, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. CDT
- Friday, Nov. 6, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. CST
- Friday, Nov. 13, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. CST
The webinars will be recorded.
If you have a scheduling conflict, let the instructors know so they can work with you to keep you caught up with the rest of the class.
Outside of the webinars, participants should allow several hours per week to complete self-paced online modules and homework assignments.
Workshop at Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International headquarters just outside of Chicago (30 West University Drive, Arlington Heights, Ill.):
- Wednesday, Nov. 18, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST
- Thursday, Nov. 19, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CST
- Friday, Nov. 20, 8 a.m. to noon CST
Week 1 Live, online |
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9 to 11:30 a.m. CDT:
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Week 1 On demand |
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Self-paced online module (approximately 2 hours) Key concepts of measuring fan systems and introduction to manometers, barometers, pitot tubes, and other instruments used to measure fan systems in situ |
Week 2 Live, online |
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9 to 11:30 a.m. CST:
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Week 2 On demand |
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Self-paced online module (approximately four hours) Using field data to calculate flow rate, fan static pressure, and efficiency, with step-by-step instructions for building a spreadsheet |
Week 3 Live, online |
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9 to 11:30 a.m. CST:
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Week 3 Homework |
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Self-paced work (approximately one to two hours) |
Week 4, Live, in-person workshop, AMCA International headquarters |
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8:30 to 4 p.m. CST:
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Week 4, Live, in-person workshop, AMCA International headquarters |
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8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CST:
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Week 4,
Day 3 Live, in-person workshop, AMCA International headquarters |
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8 a.m. to noon CST:
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Professional Credit
Eighteen professional-development hours (PDH) will be awarded upon completion of all program requirements, which include attendance for all live online sessions, completion of all self-paced modules, and completion of a post-course survey.
Reference Information Included with Course
In addition to course-specific workbooks and notes, participants will receive digital copies of ANSI/AMCA standards 99, Standards Handbook, and 204, Balance Quality and Vibration Levels for Fans, and AMCA publications 200, Air Systems; 201, Fans and Systems; 202, Troubleshooting; 203, Field Performance Measurement of Fan Systems; and 410, Recommended Safety Practices for the Installation, Operation, and Maintenance of Commercial and Industrial Fans.
Cost:
- AMCA member: $2,099 USD ($1,999 USD, if company registers more than one person)
- Non-AMCA member: $2,599 USD ($2,499 USD, if company registers more than one person)
NOTE: Participants are responsible for their own hotel accommodations. Recommended: Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago Deer Park.
Register now using the form below
DEADLINE: Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, 3 p.m. CDT
The Instructors
Ron Wroblewski, PE
As president of Productive Energy Solutions, Ron Wroblewski, PE, helps owners and operators of industrial and commercial facilities increase productivity and profitability by making more effective use of their fan, pump, and blower systems. He is senior industrial-fan-systems-optimization trainer for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and designer and presenter of online and in-person educational courses for Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International. As part of his work for the DOE, UNIDO, and AMCA International, he has designed and presented seminars around the world.
William (Bill) Howarth
The president of Ventilation & Fan Consulting Service International LLC, William (Bill) Howarth has more than 30 years of experience in the fan-and-blower industry, including application, engineering, sales, testing, technical support, and vibration analysis for process and original-equipment-manufacturer customers. He is a member of the U.S. delegation for International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee 117, Fans. For more than 20 years, he has been an instructor for the annual North Carolina Industrial Ventilation Course and in 2022 was named the John “Pat” Curran Instructor of the Year. He provides system analysis, training, and support at customer locations.
What students have said about Fan and Blower Applications Engineering III
“I would definitely recommend this course to anybody who works in the fan industry at all.”—Macallister Dale, Loren Cook Co.
“I would tell everybody in our sales department and our engineers that they need to attend this course.”—Graeme Melville, Northern Blower
“The hands-on part of this module gave me the confidence to be able to go into the field now to collect this data.”—Brad Toews, Northern Blower
“Being able to understand and walk somebody through how to accurately read their pressure, how that affects their velocity and flow, and utilize that in everyday work life.”—Beau Scruton, Loren Cook Co.
“My product knowledge certainly just went through the roof.”—Graeme Melville, Northern Blower
“It was awesome from beginning to end, from learning through the webinars to being able to come to AMCA and get hands-on experience measuring the ductwork and actually using the instrumentation to being able to tour AMCA's lab. All of it was fantastic and I highly recommend it.”—David DeKold, Lau Industries
About AMCA International
As the world’s leading authority on fan systems, AMCA International has issued dozens of publications and standards concerning all aspects of fan design, as well as standards and guidelines for in-situ and laboratory testing of fan systems. Specifying a fan with an AMCA certified rating ensures that your client gets the necessary airflow and pressure without exceeding allowable noise and power specifications.
For more information about this course or to arrange a private course for your organization, contact [email protected].
Course Information
Modules
Title |
Description |
| Optimization Strategies for Fan Systems | After measurements are taken and efficiency is calculated, a fan and/or system may be seen to not be operating efficiently. In this webinar, the instructors explore ways to “tune up” a fan system using a variety of methods to increase efficiency. |
Intro to In-Situ Fan-Performance Measurements |
AMCA Publication 203, Field Performance Measurement of Fan Systems, and ISO 5802, Industrial fans — Performance testing in situ, lay out a standard test procedure for measuring the in-situ performance of fans. Participants are introduced to the various measurements that need to be taken and learn how, when, where, and by whom the measurements should be taken. |
| Analyzing Fan Efficiency Using MEASUR Software | MEASUR is free software from the U.S. Department of Energy used to analyze industrial motor systems. In this module, the instructors introduce the software and demonstrate how to analyze a fan system using the Fan System Assessment Tool portion. Participants are encouraged to download the software before the lecture so they can follow along. |
| Calculating Fan Flow Rate and Efficiency Using Test Results | After completing a fan-performance test, the engineer is left with the daunting task of interpreting an array of data in order to calculate fan flow rate and fan efficiency. Through this self-guided course, participants learn the interrelationships between data and calculated results and discover the order of calculations. An optional companion section leads participants through the process of building a spreadsheet template for future analysis of fan-performance test data. |
| Uncertainty and Error in Field Measurements | This session focuses on problems commonly encountered during field measurements, such as incorrect probe placement, airflow disturbances, sensor drift, and electrical noise. Participants learn how to apply uncertainty analysis to assess the reliability of efficiency calculations and system diagnostics. |
| Fan-Measurement Tips | In this brief module, the instructors discuss the proper way to mark a pitot tube for quick and accurate completion of the flow-traverse portion of a measurement and review the procedure for using flexible hose to connect a pitot tube and manometer. |
Welcome and AMCA and Fan-Safety Briefings |
The in-person workshop at AMCA International headquarters kicks off with instructor and participant introductions, an overview of seminar goals, and a safety briefing. Attendees are oriented to key safety procedures, equipment-handling protocols, and expectations for hands-on sessions throughout the event. |
| Instrumentation Walkthrough | The instruments used to measure airflow, pressure, power, and speed in fan systems are reviewed. Participants examine pitot tubes, vane anemometers, manometers, pressure sensors, tachometers, and power meters and learn proper use and placement. |
| Theory Refresher: Fan Curves, System Curves, Fan Laws | This module provides a structured review of fan performance curves, system resistance curves, and fundamental fan laws. Participants observe how changes in system resistance and fan speed affect operating points. These principles are critical for interpreting test results, diagnosing mismatched systems, and understanding fan behavior under real-world conditions. |
| Fan-Measurement-Plan Development | Participants develop a field performance-measurement plan according to procedures in AMCA Publication 203 for a hypothetical system and for the demonstration fans. After developing the plan and determining the measurement planes, participants determine port spacing and mark their pitot tubes with the necessary insertion depths for the next day’s hands-on test. |
| Possible Laboratory Tour | Participants tour the AMCA International laboratory, where accredited performance and sound testing are conducted. The tour highlights standardized test chambers, airflow-measurement systems, and acoustic-test setups, providing contrast between controlled laboratory procedures and field methods outlined in AMCA Publication 203 and ISO 5802. (Note: This activity is dependent on the availability of the laboratory to receive guests.) |
| Fan-Measurement Standards | Participants explore principles, instrumentation, and setup for accurate airflow and pressure measurements. Key differences between approaches to field and laboratory measurements are briefly discussed, as are differences between the approaches in AMCA Publication 203 and AMCA Standard 803, Industrial Process/Power Generation Fans: Site Performance Test Standard. |
| Data Collection—Small Fan Systems 1 | Participants are divided into teams to collect airflow, pressure, and power data from one of two demonstration fans. Emphasis is placed on accurate instrument use, proper measurement location, and adherence to procedures in AMCA Publication 203 and ISO 5802. The teams document field data for use in later performance and efficiency calculations. |
| Data Reduction and Analysis | Participants reduce and analyze the data collected to calculate airflow, static pressure, fan input power, fan efficiency, and system efficiency. This module includes additional hands-on measurements to reinforce key concepts and improve accuracy. The session reinforces field-data-interpretation skills using AMCA Publication 203 methodology and highlights the performance impact of scale, configuration, and airflow characteristics in larger, more complex systems. |
| Data Collection—Small Fan Systems 2 | The teams formed to analyze one of two demonstration fans in the morning test the other fan in the afternoon. Participants take airflow, pressure, and power measurements and analyze the resulting data. |
| Results Comparisons | The groups compare their measurement results and discuss possible sources of discrepancy. |
| Illustrations of Fan Principles Using Demonstration Fans | The instructors demonstrate various fan-system issues, including system effect, and troubleshooting scenarios using the demonstration fan systems. |
| Field Applications, Discussion, and Wrap-up | Participants discuss real-world applications, share field experiences, and review key takeaways from the workshop. The session includes participant examples, a Q&A with the instructors, and a summary of best practices. |
Air Movement and Control Association International, Inc.