Publication 311-90

Certified
Sound
Ratings
Program for
Air Moving
Devices
 Publication 311-90

AMCA CERTIFIED SOUND RATINGS PROGRAM

Air Movement and Control Association, Inc.

30 West University Drive
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004-1693, U.S.A.

i
© 1990 By the Air Movement and Control Association, Inc.

ii
 HISTORY AND AUTHORlTY
This 1990 edition of Publication 311 includes revisions adopted by the membership on or
before October 25, 1990. This edition will become effective December 1, 1990 as
regards new catalogs. By December 1, 1995 all catalogs shall be in compliance.

OBJECTIONS TO AMCA STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS

Air Movement and Control Association, Inc. will consider and decide all written complaints
regarding its standards, certification programs, or interpretations thereof. For informa-
tion on procedures for submitting and handling complaints, write to:

Air Movement and Control Association, Inc.

30 West University Drive
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004-1693, U.S.A.

iii
 RELATED AMCA PUBLICATIONS

Standard 210 Laboratory Methods of Testing Fans for Rating

Standard 300 Reverberant Room Method for Sound Testing of Fans

Standard 301 Methods for Calculating Fan Sound Ratings from Laboratory Test
Data

Standard 330 Laboratory Method of Testing In-Duct Sound Power Measurement

Procedure for Fans

Publication 261 Directory of Products Licensed to Bear the AMCA Certified Ratings
Seal

Other AMCA Programs

Publication 111 Laboratory Registration Program

Publication 211 Certified Ratings Program-Air Performance

Publication 511 Certified Ratings Program for Air Control Devices

iv
 CONTENTS

Section Page

1. Purpose 1

2. Scope 1

3. Definitions 1

4. Submittal Procedure 1

5. Check Test Procedures 2

6. Check Test Criteria 4

7. Catalogs and Publications 5

8. The AMCA Certified Sound Ratings Seal 6

9. Directory of Licensed Products 6

10. Charges 6

11. Administration 7

12. Settlement of Disputes 7

13. Changes to the Program 7

APPENDIX

A Reference Material 7

APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS
(Copies of the documents are in Publication 211)

License Agreement
Form AA 1 Application and Agreement for Testing Service
Form CRP 8 Application for AMCA Certified Ratings Seal
Form CRP A Application for AMCA Certified Ratings Seal
Form CRP B Application for AMCA Certified Ratings Seal
Form CRP L Application for AMCA Certified Ratings Seal

v
 AMCA Publication 311.90

1. PURPOSE Calculating Fan Sound Ratings from Laboratory

Test Data, and licensed under procedures of this
The purpose of the AMCA Certified Sound Ratings program.
Program is to give the buyer. specifier and user of
air moving equipment increased assurance that DUCTED AIR MOVEMENT DEVICE is a device such
published sound ratings are reliable. At the same as a centrifugal fan or an axial fan, which is
time, the program establishes standard tasting and normally used with ducts.
rating methods and assures the manufacturer that
competitive ratings are subject to check by an NONDUCTED AIR MOVEMENT DEVICE is a device
impartial authority. such as a propeller fan, a power roof ventilator, or
a wall ventilator, which is normally used without
AMCA will Iicense the use of the Certified Sound ducts.
Ratings Seal on air moving devices whose ratings
are based on the results of tests in AMCA Reg- THE LICENSE is a legal contract which specifies
istered Laboratories or the AMCA Tasting Laboratory the terms under which AMCA authorizes a person,
in accordance with AMCA recognized test methods firm or corporation to participate in the AMCA
and this Certified Ratings Program. Certified Ratings Program and to use the AMCA
Certified Ratings Seal on specified products.

2. SCOPE AMCA REGISTERED SOUND LABORATORY is a

laboratory registered under the AMCA Laboratory
2.1 PRODUCTS Registration Program for testing in accordance
with the appropriate standards recognized by
Products are air moving devices such as cen- AMCA.
trifugal fans, axial fans, propeller fans and power
roof ventilators that are licensed by AMCA to bear INDEPENDENT SOUND LABORATORY is an AMCA
the Certified Ratings Seal for air performance. Registered Laboratory not owned or controlled by
any Iicensee and available to conduct air performance
2.2 ELIGIBLE LICENSEES and sound tests in accordance with appropriate
standards recognized by AMCA.
Any person, firm or corporation in the USA or
Canada, whether a member of the Air Movement SHALL AND SHOULD The word “shall’ is to be
and Control Association or not, licensed by AMCA understood as mandatory, the word “should” as
under the Certified Ratings Program shall be advisory.
eligible to participate in this program.

Any person, firm or corporation outside the USA or 4. SUBMlTTAL PROCEDURE

Canada, but otherwise eligible under this program,
shall be eligible to participate in accordance with 4.1 PRODUCT LICENSING PROCEDURE
such special requirements as the Board of Directors
may specify. Application for a Certified Ratings Program Licensee
Agreement Is made by completing the Application
for Air Movement Certified Ratings Seal (Form CRP
3. DEFINITIONS 8) for a product line. The application is to be
completed and returned to the AMCA office with
A CERTIFIED SOUND RATING is a statement by the the information thereon, along with the data
manufacturer based on sound power data obtained required in Section 4.2.1.
in accordance with AMCA Standard 300, Reverberent
Room Method for Sound Testing of Fans or AMCA The application will be reviewed by the AMCA staff
Standard 330, Laboratory Method for In-Duct and the applicant notified of any changes or further
Sound Power Measurement of Fans, published in information necessary to comply with the Certified
accordance with AMCA Standard 301, Methods for Ratings Program.

1
AMCA Publication 311-90

4.2 SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS

4.3 PUBLICATION OF CATALOG
4.2.1 Submittal of Sound Data.
only accept for review sound data on products The licensee shall print and make available to the
licensed to use the Certified Air Performance Seal; public a catalog which identifies the product or
sound test data must be obtained in the AMCA products licensed to use the AMCA Sound Seal.
Testing Laboratory or an AMCA Registered Certified sound ratings shall be published in
Laboratory endorsed for sound testing in accordance accordance with AMCA Standard 301.
with Standard 300 or Standard 330. Copies of
Room Qualification and Test Log sheets with
sound performance data shall be submitted. All 5. CHECK TEST PROCEDURES
test data must be identified with the test device,
test figure number and date of test. 5.1 PRECERTIFICATION CHECK
A copy of the CRP 8 form shall be completed for 5.1.1 Purpose. One purpose of the check
each series and sent to the AMCA office, together test is to establish that the designated product will,
with photographs of the test setups and a proof in fact, perform in accordance with its published
copy of the catalog proposed for publication. ratings.
4.2.2 Devices Required. For many of the A second purpose is to cross-check the test results
types of air moving devices covered by this obtained in the submitting laboratory with those
program it is not necessary that each size and/or obtained in the AMCA Testing Laboratory.
speed be tested to obtain its ratings. Provisions
for calculating sound ratings from the tested size 5.1.2 Sample Requirements. One sample
to larger sizes and from the test speed to other of each new product line submitted shall be tested
speeds are Included In AMCA Standard 301. in the AMCA Testing Laboratory before the license
However, regardless of the method used to obtain to use the AMCA Seal is issued.
ratings, it is the manufacturer's responsibility to
ensure that each product performs within the The precertification check maybe made on either a
check test tolerance. prototype or a production unit, at the discretion of
the manufacturer.
The devices tested may be production samples or
preproduction models which are the same in The AMCA staff shall select the test sample from
geometric details as those offered to the public. the units originally tested to obtain submittal data.
4.2.3 Additional Requirements. The AMCA 5.1.3 Exception to Precertification Check.
technical staff will check the sound data submitted A precertification check shall not be required when
and, it there are several tests in a series, select one submittal date are based entirely on tests made in
or two sizes and request the original test reports the AMCA Testing Laboratory.
along with the unit to be tested in the AMCA
Testing Laboratory in accordance with the 5.2 PRODUCTION CHECK
precertification check procedure in Section 5.1.
These test reports shall contain all of the recorded 5.2.1 Purpose. The purpose of the check is
test observations, calculations, and instrument to ensure that the product, as manufactured, will
calibration information. perform in accordance with its published ratings.
The proof copy of the catalog proposed for 5.2.2 Prototype Test Follow-Up. When the
publication will be checked against the test results precertification check is made on a prototype, a
and, provided that all of the requirements of this further check shall be made by the AMCA Testing
program are met, a license to apply the sound seal Laboratory on a production sample of the same
to the series will be issued. The series will be product line within one year from the date of
marked thus [S] in subsequent editions of the approval of the applicable catalog by AMCA.
Directory of Licensed Products, Publication 261.

2
 AMCA Publication 311-90

5.3 MANUFACTURING CHECK is outside the permitted tolerances, the manufacturer

of the test sample shall be given formal notice of
5.3.1 Purpose. The purpose of the check is violation, and shall be responsible for payment of
to ensure that the manufacturer continues to ship a the AMCA Testing Laboratory fee for the confirmation
product performing up to its published ratings. test.

5.3.2 Time Between Checks. Within each The company initiating the challenge test shall, in
36 month period a sample of each licensed product no case, be reimbursed for laboratory time or other
line shall be check tested in the AMCA Testing costs involved in obtaining the substantiating test
Laboratory. data.

5.3.3 Nameplate Products. Where e product 5.5 TESTING FEES

Is “nameplate” (i.e. it is manufactured by one
company but sold by a second company under Its 5.5.1 Fee Schedule. Testing fees shall be in
own name) manufacturing checks shall be applied accordance with the current schedule for the
to the original manufacturer only. AMCA Testing Laboratory.

5.3.4 Licensed Products. Where a product 5.5.2 Licensee Supplied Unit. For precertifica-
is manufactured under license from a manufacturer tion, production and manufacturing checks the
licensed under this program (see Publication 211 licensee being checked shall pay the testing and
Section, Procedure- Alternate Manufacturers), all freight charges.
manufacturing checks shall be applied to the
original manufacturer, and, during each three year 5.5.3 AMCA Purchased Unit. Where it is
period, one manufacturing check sample shalt be necessary for AMCA to purchase a test sample, the
selected from the licensee’s production. licensee being checked shall reimburse AMCA for
all costs involved in purchasing the unit. The unit
5.4 CHALLENGE TEST shall then become his property.

5.4.1 Data Submittal. A challenge test shall 5.6 TEST UNIT REQUIREMENTS
be initiated only after submittal of test data
obtained in an AMCA Registered Laboratory showing 5.6.1 Selecting Test Units. The AMCA staff
that a sample of the challenged product does not shall be responsible for selecting suitable product
perform within the specified performance tolerances. samples for check testing.

5.4.2 Confirmation Check Test. The test 5.6.2 Condition of Choice. Size, arrangement,
sample shall then be sent to the AMCA Testing etc., of sample shall comply with the requirements
Laboratory, freight paid, for Inspection and of Section 6.1.
confirmation check test. Failure to ship prepaid
freight will result in a service charge in accordance Costs of product samples should be kept as low as
with the fee schedule. possible, consistent with achieving the aims of the
check test procedure. When an air performance
5.4.2.1 Satisfactory Confirmation Test. If check test and a sound performance check test are
the sample performs satisfactorily on the confirmation both scheduled, the air performance test sample
test, it will be returned to the challenging should be selected for both tests. If the test
manufacturer who will be liable for ail costs sample size is within the criteria of Section 6.1 the
including the AMCA Testing Laboratory fee and manufacturer may choose to submit two samples:
freight charges. This test shall also be considered one size fan for the air performance check test and
as meeting the requirements of the manufacturing one fan the same size as originally tested for the
control check procedure for a further 36 month sound check test.
period on the product line affected.
5.6.3 Inspection of Test Unit. Before testing,
5.4.2.2. Failed Confirmation Test. If the product samples will be carefully inspected for
AMCA Testing Laboratory confirms that performance damage in transit or apparent assembly faults.

3
AMCA Publication 311-90

5.7 VIOLATIONS 5.7.5 Product Becoming Obsolete. If a

product line selected for check testing is about to
All tests to establish correction of product become obsolete, the licensee may so declare and
performance shall be carried out et the manufacturer’s the test will be cancelled. The product line
expense. affected will lose the seal six (6) months from the
date of the original request and be shown as
5.7.1 Failed Check Test. If a product fails obsolete in subsequent editions of the directory.
to perform within the check test tolerances, the
manufacturer shall be given formal notice of 5.7.6 Failure to Publish a Catalog. Failure
violation as required by the License Agreement. to publish a catalog, approved by the AMCA staff,
The manufacturer shall respond in the time frame within six (6) months of a product being licensed to
given in the License Agreement. use the AMCA Seal will be considered a violation of
the License Agreement and will result In immediate
5.7.2 Failure to Provide a Sample. Failure withdrawal of the license on the affected product
to ship a check test sample within three (3) months until such time as a catalog has been approved
from the date of request shall constitute a violation and published.
of the License Agreement and result in immediate
loss of the AMCA Seal on the affected product line. 5.7.7 Failure to Correct a Catalog. Failure
The staff shall be authorized to grant up to 30 days to correct a catalog within six (6) months of a
extension of this period when, in its opinion, written request from the AMCA staff will result in
special circumstances so justify. Any further immediate withdrawal of the Iicense on the product
extension shall be made only with the specific or products covered by that catalog.
approval of the Executive Committee.
5.7.8 Product Design Changes. Notice of
5.7.3 Incorrect Sample. If the manufacturer violation shall be given if inspection of production
can demonstrate that a failure on check test samples indicates, in the opinion of the AMCA
applies to the test sample only and is not typical of staff, that devices being offered to the public are
production, he may request additional time to not of the same design and geometric details as
repair or adjust the test sample or to provide a those used as the basis of test data.
further production sample which will perform
satisfactorily. The staff may grant such time as is, 5.7.9 Nameplated Products. Where a product
in its opinion, necessary for this purpose, but in no is “nameplated,” or is made under license and the
case shall the time allowed for correction exceed a license to use the AMCA Seal is withdrawn from the
total of 60 days from sending of notice of violation. original manufacturer, the license shall simultaneously
be withdrawn from the nameplating company or
Any product line which fails on check test, but Iicensee. Notice of violation shall be in writing
which is corrected within the period allowed within 30 days of the notice to the original
pursuant to this Section (5.7.3) shall be Iiable to a manufacturer.
further check test at any time after six (6) months
from the date of withdrawal of the notice of
violation. 6. CHECK TEST CRITERIA
5.7.4 Publishing New Ratings. Failure to 6.1 CHECK TEST FAN SIZE AND RPM
perform on check test shall be deemed corrected if
the manufacturer agrees, within the time allowed When both air performance and sound performance
for correction, to publish new catalog ratings check tests are scheduled, the fan selected for air
based on the result of the check test and such performance check test shall be used for sound
other new test or tests which may be required to performance check test unless the below criteria
rate the complete series. An approved catalog are met.
containing the revised ratings must be made
available to the public within six (6) months of 6.1.1 Fan Size. If the rating in question is
withdrawal of the notice of violation. related to a fan size having an actual impeller tip
diameter: a) greater than or equal to 36.5

4
 AMCA Publication 311-90

inches, on b) within the range of 1.0 to 1.5 times designation) shown hereon (or herein) is (are)
the original or base size tested, then AMCA shall licensed to bear the AMCA Seal. The ratings
check test a fan of the same size as that from shown are based on tests and procedures
which the ratings were originally developed. performed in accordance with AMCA Publication
211 and AMCA Publication 311 and comply with
If neither condition a) nor b) is satisfied, then the requirements of the AMCA Certified Ratings
AMCA shall check test the exact fan size in Program.”
question up to the limits of the AMCA laboratory.
7.1.2 Publication 301 Conditions. F o r
6.1.2 Fan RPM. If the rating In question is additional required statements regarding published
related to a fan RPM within the range of 0.6 to 1.6 sound ratings, refer to AMCA Standard 301.
(inclusive) times the original test RPM, then AMCA
shall check test the fan at the original RPM. If 7.1.3 Publication 211 Conditions. For other
outside the specified range, then the check test references and rules applying to the AMCA Certified
shall be run at the rated RPM, within the capacity of Ratings Seal, refer to the Publication 211 Section,
the AMCA laboratory. The AMCA Certified Ratings Seal.

6.2 OCTAVE BAND TOLERANCE 7.2 PUBLICATIONS CONTAINING SOUND RAT-

INGS WHERE ALL PRODUCTS ARE LICENSED
The sound ratings of the check test unit, while TO BEAR THE SOUND SEAL
performing within the performance tolerances
specified in the Certified Ratings Program-Air A reproduction of the sound seal shall be shown
Performance, shall not exceed the published prominently and may be shown on the outside
ratings by more than 6 dB in the first octave band cover.
and 3 dB in any other bend.
7.3 PUBLICATIONS CONTAINING CERTIFIED
6.3 SONE VALUE TOLERANCE SOUND RATINGS ON SOME PRODUCTS

The sone value, calculated from the sound ratings On the inside cover or first page or prominently on
of the check test unit reduced by 6 dB in the first a subsequent page shall be shown the statement
octave band and 3 dB in all other bands, shall not given in Section 7.1.1. This shall be followed by a
exceed the published sone value. prominent statement indicating which pages show
the sound ratings of licensed products.
6.4 LWA VALUE TOLERANCE
7.4 EXHIBITIONS OF PRODUCTS
LWA value, calculated from the sound ratings of the
check test unit reduced by 6 dB in the first octave Displayed references to the seals and to the
band and 3 dB in all other bands, shall not exceed Certified Ratings Programs shall make specific
the published LWA value. note of particular licensed products or be visually
associated with the exhibited product using the
seals.
7. CATALOGS AND PUBLICATIONS
7.5 SUBMITTAL OF PROPOSED PUBLICATIONS
7.1 GENERAL TO AMCA

7.1.1 Seal and Statement Required. [1] I n For the procedure refer to the Publication 211
any publication containing ratings of licensed Section, Catalogs and Publications.
products the following statement shall be printed
prominently and immediately adjacent to the
reproduction of the AMCA Seal:
“(Licensee’s name) certifies that the (product

[1] Effective April 30, 1990 for new publications. All catalogs shall
be in compliance by April 1995.

5
AMCA Publication 311-90

8. THE AMCA CERTIFIED SOUND RAT- be a second seal inside accompanied by the
INGS SEAL required qualifying statement.

8.1 PURCHASE OF SEALS in publications, advertising and displays and

exhibits, etc., when directly and specifically
Quantities of the AMCA Certified Ratings Seal can associated with a product currently licensed to
be obtained by licensee from the AMCA office. use the seal. When no performance ratings
Reproduction of the seal for application to air are present no qualifying statement Is required.
movement and control products is strictly prohibited.
8.4 PROHIBITED USES OF THE AMCA SEAL

Reproductions of the seal shall not be used:

on any page of a publication containing

performance ratings of any unlicensed products
except those pages specifically relatlng to
currently Iicensed products.

in photographs or illustrations of products not

currently licensed to use the seal.

8.2 REPRODUCTION OF THE AMCA SOUND in any way to imply that products not currently
SEAL licensed to use the seal are so licensed.

Size: No reproduction of the seal in published to imply the certification of manufacturing

material shall be Iarger than 1-5/8 inches x 2-3/4 quality.
inches unless specific permission is given by the
AMCA staff.
9. DIRECTORY OF LICENSED PRODUCTS
Color: When using black and white or one color
reproduction, black is preferred. If light colored 9.1 LISTED PRODUCTS
paper is used, regard it as white for this purpose.
In multicolor printing only blue and yellow, or blue, Lines of products licensed to use the sound seal
yellow and black may be used to reproduce as shall be indicated in the Directory of Licensed
closely as possible the actual seal (yellow-PMS Products, AMCA Publication 261, with a mark thus
115, dark blue-PMS 302, light blue-PMS 299, [s].
black-PMS Process black).
8.2 LISTING BETWEEN EDITIONS
8.3 PERMITTED USES OF THE AMCA SOUND
SEAL Any claim that a product has bean licensed
subsequent to the effective date of an edition,
Reproductions of the seal may be used: should be checked with the AMCA office
on the same page of a catalog as the
performance ratings of a licensed product and 10. CHARGES
when accompanied by the required qualifying
statement. Check with the AMCA laboratory for current
charges.
on the outside cover of a publication containing
performance ratings of licensed products only,
If the seal is not accompanied by the required
qualifying statement on the outside, there shall

6
 AMCA Publication 311-90

11. ADMINISTRATION
13. CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM
11.1 ADMINISTRATOR
Changes made to this program shall be in
The administration of the Certified Sound Ratings accordance with the procedure laid down by the
Program shall be the responsibility of the Executive AMCA Bylaws. All revisions shall state the date at
Vice President. which the change shall become effective with
respect to both new license applications and to
11.2 PROMOTION OF THE AMCA SOUND SEAL previously licensed products.

The Executive Vice President shall be responsible

for promoting the use of the AMCA Sound Seal on APPENDIX A REFERENCE MATERIAL
the air movement products covered by the Certified
Ratings Program. 1) Neitzel, Pete, Review of AMCA Standard 301;
AMCA 1988 Engineering Conference Paper #2015
11.3 REGISTERING OF COMPLAINTS
2) Lievens, Ron, Sound Testing and Rating
Complaints regarding ratings, licensed products, Methods; AMCA 1980 Technical Seminar Paper
misuse of the sound seal or references to the seal #1015.
shall be addressed to the Executive Vice President.
These complaints shall be in writing and accompanied
by supporting evidence.

11.4 CONFIDENTIALITY

All laboratory Information, test data and related

communications shall be kept confidential by the
Executive Vice President and the AMCA technical
staff.

12. SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES

Any disagreement concerning administration of the

Certified Ratings Program between the Executive
Vice President and a licensee that cannot be
resolved will be submitted by the Executive Vice
President to the Executive Committee. If the
disagreement still cannot be resolved, it shall be
put before the Board of Directors. In the event
that resolution is not achieved by the Board of
Directors, the AMCA President will obtain the
services of three impartial persons, acceptable 10
the licensee and not directly associated with the air
movement industry to form a Final Appeals Board.

The decisions of the Final Appeals Board shall be

binding on both parties and the costs of convening
the board, together with the cost of laboratory
tests to resolve the dispute, will be borne by the
party in error.

7
30 WEST UNIVERSITY DRIVE • ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS 60004-1893, USA • (708) 394-0150 Fax: (708) 253-0088