Standard for Performance Rating Of Room Fan-Coils

ARI Standard 440-2005: Standard for Performance Rating Of Room Fan-Coils

For HVAC engineers and product designers, establishing consistent and reliable performance benchmarks for room fan-coil units is paramount. ARI Standard 440-2005 provides an authoritative framework for achieving this, ensuring that manufacturers and specifiers can confidently evaluate and compare equipment. This essential standard offers a proven methodology for rating the performance characteristics of these critical HVAC components.

What is ARI Standard 440-2005?

ARI Standard 440-2005, developed by the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), establishes the definitive procedures for rating the performance of room fan-coil units. Its primary purpose is to provide a standardized basis for manufacturers to publish performance data and for engineers to use this data in system design and equipment selection, ensuring clarity and comparability across the industry.

Scope & Purpose

This comprehensive standard governs the definitions, classifications, testing, and rating requirements for room fan-coil units with air-delivery capacities up to 1500 cfm. It specifically excludes central-station air-handling units and unit ventilators, as well as room fan-coils employing volatile refrigerant coils or steam coils. The standard aims to guide the industry in providing accurate and understandable performance ratings for cooling and heating capacities, as well as power input.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: HVAC Engineers, Product Designers, Test Technicians, Compliance Officers, Installers, and Contractors involved in specifying, designing, testing, or installing room fan-coil units.
• • Industries affected: HVAC Manufacturing, Commercial Building, Residential Construction, and Building Management.
• • Compliance nature: Voluntary, within the context of ARI's certification program. Manufacturers seeking certification for their room fan-coils adhere to this standard.
• • Enforcement: Compliance is verified through the ARI Certification Program, which involves independent testing.

Key Requirements Overview

ARI Standard 440-2005 outlines several key provisions for performance rating:

• • The standard requires clear definitions for various terms, including cooling capacity (total, sensible, and latent), heating capacity, and different types of fan-coil motors.
• • Professionals must ensure that published ratings are verified by tests conducted under specified standard rating conditions for cooling and power input.
• • Key provisions include the requirement to test units with appropriate external static pressures based on their intended application (free delivery, furred-in, or high static).
• • The standard mandates that published ratings include essential data such as total cooling capacity, sensible cooling capacity, and power input, expressed in standardized units.
• • It also specifies operating requirements and marking/nameplate data to ensure consistent product identification and performance information.

Related Standards & References

While ARI Standard 440-2005 is a standalone document for room fan-coil ratings, it is often used in conjunction with other industry-leading standards. ASHRAE Standard 79 is referenced for general testing procedures. For broader air-handling unit considerations, ARI Standard 430 provides complementary information. Understanding the interplay between these standards ensures a complete approach to HVAC equipment specification and performance evaluation.