Standard for Room Fan-Coils

ARI Standard 440-1998: Standard for Room Fan-Coils

For engineers and designers involved in HVAC systems, understanding the foundational standards that govern equipment performance is essential. ARI Standard 440-1998, the "Standard for Room Fan-Coils," provides a comprehensive framework for the testing, rating, and application of these crucial components, ensuring reliable and predictable performance in diverse building environments. This authoritative document is a key reference for those seeking to specify and integrate fan-coil units effectively.

What is ARI Standard 440-1998?

ARI Standard 440-1998, developed by the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), establishes clear definitions, testing procedures, and rating criteria for room fan-coil units. Its primary purpose is to provide a consistent and verifiable method for manufacturers to present product performance data, enabling engineers and designers to make informed selection decisions based on standardized metrics. This standard ensures a level playing field for manufacturers and promotes confidence in product specifications.

Scope & Purpose

This standard governs the design, testing, and rating of room fan-coil units with air-delivery capacities up to 1500 cubic feet per minute (cfm). It specifically addresses units intended for free delivery of air into a room, potentially with minimal ductwork. Excluded from this standard are central-station air-handling units, unit ventilators, and room fan-coils utilizing volatile-refrigerant or steam coils. The overarching goal is to ensure accurate performance data for cooling capacity, sensible cooling capacity, and power input.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: HVAC Engineers, Product Designers, Test Engineers, Quality Control Inspectors, and Installation Contractors.
• • Industries affected: HVAC Manufacturing, Building Construction, Mechanical Services, and Facility Management.
• • Compliance nature: Voluntary, but compliance is essential for manufacturers participating in ARI certification programs and for engineers specifying products seeking verified ratings.
• • Enforcement: Primarily through voluntary participation in ARI certification programs, where manufacturers' claims are verified by independent testing.

Key Requirements Overview

• • The standard requires that room fan-coils be tested for rating in accordance with specific ASHRAE standards and ARI's defined procedures.
• • Manufacturers must ensure that published ratings for cooling capacity, sensible cooling capacity, and power input are established under defined "Standard Rating Conditions."
• • Key provisions include detailed requirements for testing at various external static pressure conditions, differentiating between free delivery, furred-in, and high static units.
• • The standard mandates specific data to be included in published ratings, ensuring transparency and enabling proper application selection.
• • Operating requirements and marking/nameplate data are also outlined to ensure proper identification and safe operation.

Related Standards & References

• • ASHRAE Standard 79: This standard is referenced for the methods of testing, providing a complementary framework for the physical testing procedures employed.
• • ARI Standard 430: Defines central-station air-handling units, which are explicitly excluded from the scope of ARI 440-1998, clarifying the boundaries between different equipment types.
• • ARI Standard 840: Defines unit ventilators, also excluded from this standard, further delineating the scope of ARI 44