AMCA International, Inc. announces the publishing of a new American National Standard, ANSI/AMCA 214, Test Procedure for Calculating Fan Energy Index (FEI) for Commercial and Industrial Fans and Blowers.
The purpose of ANSIAMCA Standard 214 is to aid federal and state rulemaking efforts to establish energy-efficiency standards for commercial and industrial fans and blowers, providing a consistent method of calculating FEI across the many different options or circumstances that exist in the fan market. The standard does not apply to ceiling fans, cross-flow fans, or air curtain units. This standard is primarily for fans that are tested alone or with motors and drives; it does not apply to the testing of fans embedded inside of other equipment. AMCA Standard 214 covers most fan types and sizes. It covers only the calculation of FEI and fan electrical power (FEP). It does not suggest minimum FEI ratings or cover labeling, compliance filing, surveillance, and other regulatory processes.
An expressed difficulty in establishing an FEI-based fan regulation is having to work with four AMCA standards and publications: ANSI/AMCA Standard 207, Fan System Efficiency and Fan System Input Power Calculation; ANSI/AMCA Standard 208, Calculation of the Fan Energy Index; ANSI/AMCA Standard 210/ASHRAE Standard 51, Laboratory Methods of Testing Fans for Certified Aerodynamic Performance Rating; and AMCA Publication 211, Certified Ratings Program Product Rating Manual for Fan Air Performance. AMCA Standard 214 consolidates these documents. However, it is not, and should not be used as a substitute for these standards and publications. Energy regulators such as the U.S. Department of Energy, California Energy Commission, and other U.S. or international regulatory agencies, are the primary audience of this standard.
Presenting FEI values to the market may require fan manufacturers to modify fan-selection software and printed materials. Additionally, calculations in AMCA Standard 214 may require fan manufacturers to collect information from prospective buyers, such as drive (transmission) configuration and expected motor selection. Compliance with AMCA Standard 214 requires fan manufacturers to assemble product data not historically presented to the market, such as fan outlet area, fan total pressure, and fan category.
This standard is currently being provided at no cost, through advocacy efforts, or upon request. Members can access a complimentary copy through the member portal of the AMCA website via the link provided below. If you have any questions, please direct them to Joe Brooks, Director of Publications & Standards (jbrooks@amca.org) or Shruti Kohli-Bhargava, Manager of Publications & Standards (shrutik@amca.org).
