The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) recently approved the product scope and formation of a new Single Package Vertical Unit (SPVU) subsection.

SPVUs are commonly referred to as a self-contained, through-the-wall or wall mounted packaged heating and cooling system having its major components arranged vertically. Lacking an appropriate section, SPVA manufacturers were compelled to place some products in ARI's Unitary Small Equipment section, coverage under ANSI/ARI Standard 210/240-94: Unitary Air-Conditioning and Air-Source Heat Pump Equipment.

The members of the USE section determined that the performance verification procedure and methodology for unitary classified equipment, life cycle costing and cost efficiency data could not be appropriately applied to this product. They advocated that SPVUs should be placed within the scope of the Packaged Terminal subsection. Their intention was that the SPVU competes with the more closely resembled package terminal units, a commercial/industrial product covered under EPACT, than residential unitary equipment.

"Similarities between SPVUs and package terminal units are great," according to ARI, "as both are intended for the commercial/industrial market place." Both are designed for either single or three-phase input power having the same constraint of heat rejection. Since SPVUs can be either a ducted or free blow discharged product, it would require changes to both the scope and test method of ARI Standard 310/380. For that reason, the new subsection was formed.

Associations endorse 2001 AHR Expo

A number of industry associations recently signed on as sponsors for the 2001 International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition to be held Jan. 29-31 in Atlanta. Longtime sponsors the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) are being joined by the following groups for the first time: the Associated Air Balance Council (AABC), Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA), Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Wholesalers International (ARWI), Cooling Technology Institute (CTI), Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Mechanical Contractors Association of America, Inc. (MCAA), Mechanical Service Contractors Association (MSCA), National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), National Air Filtration Association (NAFA), Northamerican Heating Refrigeration and Airconditioning Wholesalers Association (NHRAW), Refrigerating Engineers and Technician Association (RETA), Radiant Panel Association (RPA) and the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES).