"While the agreement took a long time to work out the details, this memorandum of understanding is the first step in what we feel will be a very favorable partnership to AMCA International, Eurovent, and most of all, to the industry both organizations serve," said Morrison.

AMCA is a not-for-profit international association of related air system equipment, including fans, louvers, dampers, air curtains, airflow measurement stations, acoustic attenuators, and other air system components.

The purpose of Eurovent certification programs is to create a common set of criteria for rating products. Through specification of certified products, AMCA believes engineers' tasks are made easier, since there is no need for carrying out detailed comparison and performance qualification testing.

New President, Board

In other meeting news, Tom Edwards was elected 2003-2004 president of AMCA. Edwards is currently the president of both the Ruskin Co. and Lau Industries Inc.

Edwards has served as chair of AMCA's Smoke Management Systems Market Group and was elected to AMCA's board in October of 1995. Currently, Edwards serves as vice president on the Executive Committee.

In other moves, outgoing president Cory of Flakt Woods Ltd., Colchester, England, was voted the new chair of the board. Lee Buddrus of Acme Engineering and Manufacturing Corp. and U.S. Fan International of Muskogee, Okla., is the new vice president. Voted new treasurer is Pete Neitzel of Greenheck Fan Corp. and Future Products Corp., Schofield, Wis. Jo Reinhardt of Industrial Louvers, Delano, Minn., is the new director at large on the executive committee.

Re-elected to the board of directors was Gary Benson of The New York Blower Co., Willowbrook, Ill. Elected to the board were Mike Almaguer of Pottorff, Fort Worth, Texas, and Daniel Forrest, Venmar Ventilation Inc., Drummondville, Quebec. The board also ratified the increase of the board of directors by one seat.

Silencer Certification

At its annual meeting, AMCA also championed its new acoustical Certified Ratings Program (CRP), which kicked off with its new silencer certification.

AMCA's CRP was developed in response to the concerns over product performance on the part of buyers and users of air movement and control devices. AMCA said its CRP ensures that a product line has been tested and rated in conformance with the association's test standards and rating requirements. Only after the product has been tested and the manufacturers' catalogued ratings have been submitted to and approved by AMCA's staff can performance seals be displayed in literature and on equipment.

Currently, AMCA has the world's only existing international CRP for air system components. Participation in AMCA's CRP is voluntary and open to members and non-members.

Publication date: 12/29/2003