PERFORMANCE RATING OF COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL AIR FILTER EQUIPMENT

ANSI/ARI Standard 850: PERFORMANCE RATING OF COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL AIR FILTER EQUIPMENT

For engineers and designers grappling with air quality and system efficiency in commercial and industrial settings, establishing consistent and reliable performance metrics for air filtration equipment is paramount. ANSI/ARI Standard 850 provides an essential framework for achieving this, offering an authoritative methodology for evaluating and rating the performance of air filter equipment.

What is ANSI/ARI Standard 850?

ANSI/ARI Standard 850, developed by the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), is a comprehensive standard that defines the procedures for testing and rating the performance of commercial and industrial air filter equipment. Its primary purpose is to provide a uniform basis for manufacturers to declare performance characteristics and for users to compare and select appropriate filtration solutions.

Scope & Purpose

This industry-leading standard governs the testing, rating, and performance declaration of factory-made air filter equipment and air filter media intended for removing particulate matter in commercial and industrial environments. Specifically, it applies to air filtration systems used for the environmental conditioning of inhabited spaces. Excluded from its scope are filters used in industrial processes unrelated to environmental conditioning, those designed for abnormally high contaminant concentrations, integrated appliances with combined functionalities (unless focusing solely on the filter component), residential air filters (covered by other standards), and HEPA filters.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: HVAC Engineers, Product Engineers, Test Engineers, Mechanical Designers, and Facility Managers.
• • Industries affected: HVAC Manufacturing, Building Management Systems, Industrial Facilities Management, and any sector requiring controlled indoor air quality.
• • Compliance nature: Voluntary, but widely adopted for product comparability and specification adherence.
• • Enforcement: Primarily through market demands, customer specifications, and manufacturer self-certification based on established testing protocols.

Key Requirements Overview

ANSI/ARI Standard 850 outlines several critical requirements to ensure standardized performance evaluation. Professionals must ensure:

• • Standardized Testing Procedures: The standard mandates specific test methods to measure key performance indicators like dust spot efficiency and arrestance, ensuring consistent results across different manufacturers.
• • Defined Rating Conditions: It establishes clear criteria for "Standard Rating Conditions" and allows for "Application Ratings," enabling accurate performance declarations under various operational scenarios.
• • Performance Metrics: Key performance characteristics such as initial resistance, rated final resistance, and dust holding capacity are defined and must be reported.
• • Clear Marking and Data: Manufacturers are required to provide specific information on product nameplates and in published ratings, facilitating informed selection and application.
• • Classification of Equipment: The standard categorizes air filter equipment into distinct groups (e.g., Unit/Panel, Extended Surface, Electronic Air Cleaners) to provide context for performance data.

Related Standards & References

While ANSI/ARI Standard 850 focuses on air filter performance, it often works in conjunction with other standards. For instance, it may reference or be referenced by standards from ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) for broader HVAC system design and terminology, providing a cohesive approach to air quality management. Its principles also complement general air filtration testing methodologies ensuring a comprehensive understanding of filter efficacy.