Standard for Commercial and Industrial Unitary Air-Conditioning and Heat Pump Equipment

ARI Standard 340/360: Standard for Commercial and Industrial Unitary Air-Conditioning and Heat Pump Equipment

For engineers and designers specifying high-performance HVAC systems, understanding the foundational standards is crucial. ARI Standard 340/360 provides the essential framework for evaluating and certifying commercial and industrial unitary air-conditioning and heat pump equipment, ensuring a baseline of performance and reliability in demanding applications.

What is ARI Standard 340/360?

ARI Standard 340/360, published by the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), establishes comprehensive definitions, testing procedures, and rating requirements for commercial and industrial unitary air-conditioning and heat pump equipment. Its primary purpose is to provide an authoritative and consistent method for manufacturers to rate their products, enabling engineers and specifiers to make informed decisions based on verified performance data.

Scope & Purpose

This industry-leading standard governs the testing and rating of electrically operated, vapor compression unitary air-conditioning units and air-source unitary heat pumps. Specifically, it applies to air-cooled, water-cooled, and evaporative-cooled equipment with cooling capacities ranging from 65,000 Btu/h up to, but not including, 250,000 Btu/h. The standard does not cover individual components like separate condensing units or coils, nor does it apply to smaller residential unitary equipment or water-source heat pumps.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: HVAC engineers, product design engineers, test engineers, and quality control inspectors involved in the design, specification, and verification of unitary HVAC equipment.
• • Industries affected: HVAC equipment manufacturing, commercial building construction, industrial facilities, and mechanical engineering consulting.
• • Compliance nature: While compliance with ARI certification programs is often voluntary, it is a de facto requirement for market acceptance and specification by many engineers and building owners.
• • Enforcement: Manufacturers voluntarily submit equipment for testing and certification through ARI-approved laboratories. Compliance is verified through rigorous testing procedures outlined within the standard.

Key Requirements Overview

The standard requires manufacturers to adhere to specific methodologies for rating equipment performance. Key provisions include:

• • The standard mandates precise definitions for various performance metrics, including cooling and heating capacities, Coefficient of Performance (COP), and Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER).
• • Professionals must ensure that equipment is tested under standardized operating conditions to allow for accurate comparisons between different manufacturers' products.
• • Key provisions include detailed requirements for calculating Integrated Part-Load Values (IPLV), which provide a more holistic view of efficiency across varying load conditions.
• • The standard also outlines specific criteria for marking and nameplate data, ensuring that essential performance information is clearly communicated to end-users and specifiers.
• • Manufacturers must demonstrate conformance to operational tests, such as maximum operating conditions and voltage tolerance, to ensure product reliability.

Related Standards & References

ARI Standard 340/360 often works in conjunction with other ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) standards for definitions and testing methodologies. Additionally, standards related to electrical safety and installation practices are critical complementary references for a comprehensive understanding of equipment deployment.