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Damper Leakage Rates - AMCA & UL Standard PDF
Damper Leakage Rates - AMCA & UL Standard PDF
www.amca.org
In This Issue:
Life Safety Dampers
In-line Fans
Damper Leakage Rates –
More Important Than Ever
By John Knapp
Fall 2007 19
DAMPERS
Damper manufacturers test their products to AMCA Certified Ratings Seal for Air Leakage. The purpose of the seal
Standard 500-D, Laboratory Methods of Testing Dampers for is to offer assurance that a damper will perform in accordance
Rating. This standard includes recognized and accepted stan- with the manufacturer’s published data. Therefore, if a particu-
dard test procedures for performance testing, including lar damper’s ratings comply with the performance criteria
sealing performance. There are many test centers that can specified, it should produce an acceptable application, provid-
test dampers to the procedures in AMCA Standard 500; ed all other requirements are satisfied.
many manufacturers have the ability to test their own prod- Bearing the seal doesn’t stop with the first round of test-
ucts. Should a specifier or owner want impartial data that a ing. All of the manufacturer’s literature must be verified for
damper will perform, they should specify that the damper accuracy before publication. The ratings are subject to review
comply with AMCA Standard 511, Certified Ratings Program at all times by AMCA and the products are “check-tested” on
– Product Rating Manual for Air Control Devices. a minimum three-year basis to make sure that the products
AMCA 511 details procedures for participation in the AMCA perform as required. And all licensed products are open to
Certified Ratings Program (CRP). Manufacturers having their challenge testing by competitors or any third party.
products tested in an AMCA-accredited laboratory, with the AMCA 511 also introduces us to damper “Leakage Classes.”
test results verified by the AMCA staff and then obtaining the Chart 1 illustrates each damper classification.
proper license from AMCA, can offer products bearing AMCA’s
w w w. re v e r s o m a t i c . c o m
RESIDENTIAL FANS COMMERCIAL FANS
Inline & Tubeaxial
Ceiling Fan
Cabinet
Exhaust
Fan
Bathroom Exhaust Fan
Kitchen Exhaust Hood
Belt
Driven
Propeller Direct
Fan Wall Drive
Light Exhaust Propeller
& Fire Fan Wall
Radiation Dryer Booster BE Series Exhaust
Damper Exhaust Fan Inline Exhaust Fan Fan
ACCESSORIES
Wall Box Aluminum Inline Speed Electronic
Aluminum Wall Back Controller Fan/Time
Extruded Cap Draft Light Delay
Louver Aluminum Damper Switch
Roof Jack
790 ROWNTREE DAIRY RD. WOODBRIDGE, ON, L4L 5V3 • Tel. 905-851-6701 • Toll free 1 800-810-3473 • Fax 905-851-8376 • Email info@reversomatic.com
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air dampers in buildings. Ruskin is the first to offer AMCA certified low you money today.
Earlier we covered the requirements Moreover, AMCA 511 also includes pro-
of the IECC and ASHRAE Standard 90.1. cedures to qualify smoke and fire/smoke
Using the AMCA 511 table, we now see dampers to bear AMCA’s Certified
that both the IECC and ASHRAE require Ratings Seal for Air Leakage.
Based on Class 1A leakage rate of 3 CFM/sq. ft. versus a standard leakage of 40 CFM/sq. ft. and energy rate of $0.10/KWH.
Class 1 dampers. Understanding damper leakage rates
and leakage classes enables specifiers,
90.1 Energy Standard require new lower leakage rates for outside
UL Classified Leakage Ratings
low leak control dampers can save building owners up to $30 per
identify the correct damper products.
is the test standard to qualify dampers Specifying and installing low-leakage
for use in smoke-control systems. UL dampers (Class 1 preferred, Class 2 at
555S identifies leakage classes for both a minimum by code) helps ensure that
smoke and combination fire/smoke the building HVAC system is operating
dampers (combination fire/smoke at its most energy-efficient level.
dampers must meet the requirements Specifying and installing dampers
of both UL 555, Fire Dampers, and UL licensed to bear the AMCA Seal for
555S). Chart 2 identifies the different Damper Leakage is a sensible way to
leakage classes under UL 555S. provide specifiers, contractors, and
Note the similarities between the owners peace-of-mind that the damp-
leakage classes in both AMCA 511 and ers in their systems will perform as
UL 555S. They are the same except that intended and help take their buildings
UL 555S does not have a Leakage Class to the “green,” sustainable level.
T
a leakage class can feel comfortable John Knapp is vice-president of sales and market-
knowing that the class is essentially the ing for Ruskin Co., Grandview, MO. He can be
same for all damper types and styles. reached at 816/965-4310 or jknapp@ruskin.com.
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Fall 2007 21