ACCA is encouraging contractors to review the document and provide comments during the 45-day public review period. ACCA has reviewed the proposed standard and determined that there are significant flaws in its application to small commercial buildings. This includes procedures and approaches that may be acceptable for large buildings but are not fully appropriate or practical for small buildings.

"Rather than satisfying a real industry need, the proposed standard significantly increases liability exposure of HVAC contractors, engineers, and other professionals who undertake small building load calculations," said Greg Leisgang, chairman of the ACCA board of directors.

"Additionally, ASHRAE's proposal effectively precludes the use of many of today's load calculation procedures that are widely accepted and practiced by design professionals working in the light commercial sector."

Other organizations, including the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors - National Association (PHCC), agree with ACCA's position. "The PHCC is opposed to an ASHRAE-proposed ANSI Standard 183P, ‘Procedures for Performing Peak Heating and Cooling Calculations in Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings,'" said David Dugger, chairman of the PHCC HVACR Committee.

"The proposed ASHRAE standard is flawed in that its scope is too broad, running the spectrum from large industrial and commercial buildings down to small convenience stores and churches. The load calculation complexities between small and large commercial building applications, as well as functional considerations and job economics, are different enough that separate standards are needed for the small and large commercial building sectors."

"While the proposed ASHRAE standard may be appropriate for large commercial applications, it is not appropriate for the small applications that make up the bulk of commercial buildings in the U.S. that are maintained by PHCC members," Dugger said.

For more information, visit www.acca.org.

Publication date: 05/30/2005