ARI Standard 880: Standard for Performance Rating of Air Terminals

ARI Standard 880: Essential Guide to Performance Rating of Air Terminals

For HVAC engineers and product designers, ensuring precise and reliable air distribution is paramount. ARI Standard 880 provides the definitive framework for evaluating and rating the performance of air terminals, acting as an essential tool for informed design and specification. This industry-leading standard ensures consistency and comparability of product performance data across the market.

What is ARI Standard 880?

ARI Standard 880, published by the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), establishes standardized methods for testing and rating the performance of air terminals. Its primary purpose is to provide manufacturers with clear guidelines for reporting performance data and to equip engineers with reliable information for selecting appropriate air terminal devices. This comprehensive standard ensures that air terminals perform as expected in HVAC systems.

Scope & Purpose

This standard governs the testing and rating of air control devices used in air distribution systems, commonly referred to as air terminals. It specifically covers devices that modulate airflow, whether through fixed or adjustable vanes, pressure-dependent or compensated dampers, or integral fans. The scope includes rating parameters such as airflow, electrical power consumption, and sound generation. Notably, this standard excludes retrofit units and devices specifically covered by other ARI standards like ARI 410 or ARI 440.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: HVAC Engineers, Product Designers, Test Technicians, Compliance Officers, and Acoustical Consultants.
• • Industries affected: HVAC Manufacturing, Building Construction, and Engineering Services.
• • Compliance nature: While the standard itself outlines testing and rating procedures, compliance with the ARI Certification Program, which utilizes this standard, is voluntary for manufacturers seeking to demonstrate verified performance.
• • Enforcement: Compliance with the ARI Certification Program is monitored by AHRI and its authorized testing laboratories.

Key Requirements Overview

• • The standard requires the use of specific test methods and conditions to ensure consistent and repeatable performance evaluations.
• • Professionals must ensure that air terminals are rated for key performance parameters including primary and induced airflow, electrical power input, and sound power levels across octave bands.
• • Key provisions include detailed definitions of air terminal types and airflow measurements to eliminate ambiguity.
• • Manufacturers are mandated to provide minimum data for published ratings, enabling engineers to make informed selection decisions.
• • The standard outlines requirements for testing in acoustically controlled environments, such as reverberation rooms that meet specific criteria outlined in ARI Standard 220.

Related Standards & References

ARI Standard 880 is often used in conjunction with ARI Standard 885, which provides procedures for using published sound ratings to estimate sound levels in occupied spaces. Additionally, testing procedures and laboratory qualification requirements referenced within ARI Standard 880 often tie back to ARI Standard 220 for acoustical testing environments, ensuring a robust and integrated approach to performance verification.