AMCA STANDARD 220-91

Test Methods for

Air Curtain Units

Foreword
AMCA Standard

220-91 was adopted by the membership of the Air Movement and Control Association, Inc.
on April 2$41991. This edition was produced by members of the Air Curtain Section. The term velocity profile
was changed to velocity projection. The standard deviation population parameter was changed from n to n-l.

AMCA Project Committee

Robert S. Catan, Chairman
Georgia Berner
Tom Peterson
Gerald P. Jolette

Dynaforce Corporation
Berner International Corporation
The King Company
AMCA staff

Disclaimer
AMCA uses its best efforts to produce standards for the benefit of the industry and the public in light of
available information and accepted industry practices. However, AMCA does not guarantee, certify or assure
the safety of performance of any products, components or systems tested, designed, installed or operated in
accordance with AMCA standards or that any tests conducted under its standards will be non-hazardous or free
from risk.

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 information on procedures for submitting and
handling complaints,
write to:
Air Movement and Control Association, Inc.
30 West University Drive
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004-1893 U.SA.
Phone: 708-394-0150 FAX: 708-253-0088

AMCA Standard 220-91

TEST METHODS FOR AIR

CURTAIN UNITS

Air Movement and Control Association, Inc.

30 West University Drive
Arlington Heights. Illinois 60004-1893 U.SA.

1991 by Air Movement and Control Association, Inc.

Contents
Page

Section
1.
2.
3.
4.

Purpose
Scope
Units of Measure
Definitions
Air curtain
4.1
Air curtain unit
4.2
Psychrometrics
4.3
Pressure and Head
4.4
4.5
Air Curtain Unit Performance Variables
Miscellaneous
4.6

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2

5.

Symbols and Subscripts

6.

Instruments and Methods of Measurement

Accuracy
6.1
Pressure
6.2
Flow Rate
6.3
Air Velocity
6.4
Power
6.5
Air Density
6.6

2
2
2
2
2
3
3

7.

Equipment and Setups

Unit Flow Rate Tests
7.1
Velocity Projection & Outlet Velocity Uniformity Tests
7.2

3
3
3

8.

Observations & Conduct of Velocity Projection & Outlet Velocity Uniformity Tests
Equilibrium
8.1
Data to be Recorded
8.2

3
3
3

9.

Calculations
Calibration Correction
9.1
9.2
Unit Flow Rate
Face Area of Discharge Nozzle
9.3
Average Outlet Velocity
9.4
Outlet Velocity Uniformity
9.5
Velocity Projection
9.6
Air Curtain Unit Efficiency
9.7

4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4

10.

Report and Results of Test

10.1
Report
10.2
Unit Flow Rate Test
10.3
Outlet Velocity Uniformity Test
Velocity Projection Test
10.4

4
4
4
5
5

Figure
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Unit Flow Rate Test Setup

Velocity Projection and Outlet Velocity Uniformity Test Setup
Outlet Velocity Uniformity Test Setup
Velocity Projection Test Setup
Typical Unit Flow Rate Performance Curve
Example Outlet Velocity Uniformity and Velocity Projection Performance Calculation

Appendix
A
Uncertainty in Velocity Determination

6
7
8
9
10
11

12

Test Methods
for
Air Curtain Units

1. PURPOSE

4.1.2 Air Curtain Width. The dimension of the sir

curtain which is perpendicular to the air flow and parallel
to the plane of the air curtain.

The purpose of this standard is to establish uniform

methods for laboratory testing of air curtain units to
determine performance in terms of flow rate, outlet
velocity uniformity, power consumption and velocity
projection, for rating or guarantee purposes.

4.2 AIR CURTAIN UNIT

It is not the purpose of this standard to specify the testing

procedures to be used for design, production, or field
testing.

4.2.1 Discharge Nozzle. The opening through which

the air forming the air curtain leaves the air curtain unit.

A mechanical air moving device designed to produce an

air curtain.

4.2.2 Discharge Nozzle Depth. The inside opening

dimensions of the discharge nozzle which is perpendicular
to the flow of air in the air curtain and to the air curtain
width.

2. SCOPE
The scope of this standard is for testing of air curtain
units with an average outlet velocity of more than 500
fpm.

3. UNITS OF MEASUREMENT

4.2.3 Discharge Nozzle Width. The inside opening

dimension of the discharge nozzle which is perpendicular
to the air flow and parallel to the plane of the air curtain.

U.S. Customary Units (inch-pound) are employed in this

standard. Flow rate symbols are shown in AMCA
Standard 210.

4.2.4 Face Area of the Air Curtain Discharge Nozzle.

The outlet area confined by the perimeter of the discharge
opening.

4. DEFINITIONS

4.2.5 Discharge Angle. The angle between the plane

of the opening and the direction in which the air curtain
leaves the discharge nozzle.

4.1 AIR CURTAIN

4.3 PSYCHROMETRICS

A controlled stream of air moving across the height and

width of an opening with sufficient velocity and volume to
reduce the infiltration or transfer of air from one side of
the opening to the other and/or to inhibit insects, dust or
debris from passing through.

Refer to AMCA Standard 210.

4.3.1 Standard Air Density. Standard Air Density (p)
is 0.075 lbm/ft 3. This corresponds approximately to air at
68 F, 29.92 in. Hg, and 50% relative humidity.

4.1.1 Air Curtain Depth. The dimension of the air

curtain which is perpendicular to the flow of sir in the air
curtain and to the air curtain width.

4.4 PRESSURE AND HEAD

Refer to Standard 210.

AMCA Standard 220-91

must be sufficient to determine all air curtain unit
performance variables as defined for the parameter being
determined.

4.5 AIR CURTAIN UNIT PERFORMANCE VARIABLES

4.5.1 Unit Flow Rate. The flow rate which leaves the
discharge nozzle, at standard air conditions, as measured
in accordance with Standard 210.

4.6.4 Test. A test is a series of determinations for

various points of operation of an air curtain unit.

4.5.2 Average Outlet Velocity. The air flow rate

produced by the air curtain unit divided by the face area
of the discharge nozzle at free air delivery.

SYMBOLS AND SUBSCRIPTED

5.
SYMBOLS

4.5.3 Outlet Velocity Uniformity. Unity less the ratio

between the standard deviation and the average value of
actual measured maximum velocities, as measured at the
discharge nozzle and at several planes along its width.

SYMBOL

DESCRIPTION UNIT

Air horsepower of air

curtain unit
Horsepower input to motor
Number of readings
Air curtain unit speed
Efficiency of the air
curtain unit
Air density
Velocity pressure reading
Air curtain unit flow rate
Summation sign
n
Standard deviation with
population n-1
Dry-bulb temperature
Wet-bulb temperature
Velocity
Watts input to motor
Velocity readings

4.5.4 Air Curtain Core Velocity. The peak velocity of

the air curtain as measured across the air curtain depth at
a given distance from the discharge nozzle.
4.5.5 Air Curtain Average Core Velocity. The average
of several core velocities measured along the width of the
air curtain.
4.5.6 Velocity Projection. The average core velocity at
several distances from the discharge nozzle.
4.5.7 Power Rating of the Air Curtain Unit. T h e
amount of power consumed by the drive motor(s) of the
air curtain unit.
4.5.8 Air curtain Unit Efficiency. Ratio of the air
curtain unit output air horsepower power to the power
input to the motor.

hp
hp
--rpm
per unit
lbm /ft 3
in. wg
cfm
--fpm
fpm
F
F
fpm
w
fpm

6. INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS OF

MEASUREMENT

4.5.9 Air Curtain Unit Rated Throw. The air curtain

unit rated throw shall be Plane 4 of Figure 4 plus three
feet.

6.1 ACCURACY

4.6 MISCELLANEOUS

Refer to AMCA Standard 210.

4.6.1 Point of Operation. Point of operation is the

relative position on the air curtain unit characteristic curve
corresponding to a particular flow rate.

6.2 PRESSURE

The point of operation is controlled during a test by

adjusting the position of the throttling device, by changing
flow nozzles or auxiliary fan characteristics, or by any
combination of these.

6.3 FLOW RATE

Refer to AMCA Standard 210.

How rate shall be calculated from measurements made on

an inlet chamber setup in accordance. with Figure 1.

4.6.2 Free Delivery. Free delivery is the point of

operation where the air curtain unit operates against zero
static pressure.

6.4 CORE VELOCITY MEASUREMENT

Air curtain core velocity shall be. measured with a pitot
tube and manometer, a hot wire anemometer or any other
device which has an accuracy of +5.0% of the velocity
being measured.

4.6.3 Determination. A determination is a complete

set of measurements for a particular point of operation
for the parameter being determined. The measurements
2

AMCA Standard 220-91

6.4.1 Pitot-Static Tubes. Refer to AMCA Standard
210.

Dimensions should be checked against a drawing and a

copy of the drawing attached to the data.

6.5 POWER

8.2.2 Test Setup. The description of the test setup

including specific dimensions shall be recorded.
Reference may be made to the figures in this standard.
Alternatively, a drawing or annotated photograph of the
setup may be attached to the data.

Power shall be measured with a watt meter.

6.5.1 Meters. Electrical meters shall have certified
accuracies of +1.0% of observed reading.

8.2.3 Instruments. The instruments and apparatus

used in the test shall be listed. Names, model numbers
serial numbers, scale ranges, and calibration information
shall be recorded.

6.5.2 Voltage. The motor input voltage during the test

shall be maintained within 2% of the nameplate voltage of
the unit being tested.

8.2.4 Test Data. Test data for each determination shall

be recorded.

6.6 AIR DENSITY

Refer to AMCA Standard 210.

8.2.4.1 Ambient Conditions. For all tests, three

readings of ambient dry-bulb temperatures (tdo), ambient
wet-bulb temperature (two), ambient barometric pressure
( Pb), shall b. recorded unless the readings are steady in
which case only one set need be recorded.

7. EQUIPMENT AND SETUPS

7.1 UNIT FLOW RATE TESTS
The air curtain unit shall be mounted with its inlet to the
test chamber sealed air tight against it. The discharge
nozzle or vanes shall be set at 15 toward what would
normally be considered the outside and there shall be no
surface perpendicular to the air flow within 10 feet as
shown in Figure 1. The air curtain unit shall be complete
as cataloged.

8.2.4.2 Air Flow Rate Determination.s. A minimum of

three determinations are required to establish the air
flow rate at free delivery of an air curtain unit; one at or
close to free delivery, one with the unit working against a
pressure of 0.2 in. wg and one against 0.1 in. wg.
8.2.4.3 Outlet Velocity Uniformity Test. The outlet
velocity shall be measured at at least five equally spaced
locations along the discharge nozzle. The distance
between the locations shall not exceed four inches and the
measurement shall be rounded to the nearest 1/4 inch of
the calculated location. The locations of measurement
shall be one discharge nozzle depth away from the
discharge nozzle and the measurements at the two ends of
the discharge nozzle shall be measured one discharge
nozzle depth in from each end as shown in Figure 3. The
maximum velocity readings along the fines perpendicular
to the point of measurement, on the plane of
measurement, shall be recorded.

7.2
VELOCITY PROJECTION AND OUTLET
VELOCITY UNIFORMITY TESTS
The air curtain unit shall be placed in the testing area so
that the inlet and outlet are substantial unrestricted and
the width of the air curtain is perpendicular to the fleer.
The discharge nozzle or vanes shall be set at 15 toward
what would normally be considered the outside. The unit
shall be located so that the waif.s of the testing area will
net distort the air pattern. See Figure 2 for setup.

8. OBSERVATIONS & CONDUCT OF

VELOCITY PROJECTION AND OUTLET
VELOCITY UNIFORMITY TESTS

8.2.4.4 Velocity Projection Test. The core velocity

shall be recorded at a minimum of three distances from
the discharge nozzle, the first of these to be between two
feet and four feet away and the bat to be at a distance
three feet short of the air curtains rated throw 1 inch.
Additional distances to be equally spaced between these
two. If the air curtains rated throw is less than six feet,
readings are to be taken at three equally spaced distances.
A series of readings shall be taken at each distance on a
plane parallel to the discharge nozzle. The location of the
measurement shall be one discharge nozzle depth away
from the two ends of the discharge nozzle. The distance
between these two locations to be divided evenly for a

8.1 EQUILIBRIUM
Equilibrium conditions shall be established before each
determination. To test for equilibrium, trial observation
shall be made until steady readings are obtained.
8.2 DATA TO BE RECORDED
8.2.1 Test Unit. The description of the test unit shall
be recorded. The nameplate data shall be copied.

AMCA Standard 220-91

minimum of five measurements at a maximum distance
between each measurement of four inches as shown in
Figure 4 and the measurement shall be rounded to the
nearest 1/4 inch of the calculated location. The maximum
velocity readings along the lines perpendicular to the point
of measurement, on the plane of measurement, shall be

9.5.3 Mean.

(was A.4)

recorded.

9. CALCULATIONS
9.1 CALIBRATION CORRECTION
9.6 VELOCITY PROJECTION
Calibration corrections, when required, shall be applied to
individual readings before averaging or other calculations.
Calibration corrections need not be made if the correction
is smaller than one half the maximum allowable error as
specified in Section 6.

Calculate the arithmetic average for each distance of the

recorded core velocities.
9.7 AIR CURTAIN UNIT EFFICIENCY
(was A.l)

9.2 UNIT FLOW RATE

To be calculated as per AMCA Standard 210.
9.3 UNIT FLOW RATE
If the nozzle is rectangular the discharge nozzle width and
depth shall be measured and the area calculated by
multiplying them. Should the discharge nozzle not be
rectangular, the discharge nozzle area shall be measured
and calculated using the most appropriate method.

9.7.1 Air Horsepower of Air Curtain Unit

(was A.1.1)

9.4 AVERAGE OUTLET VELOCITY

9.7.2 Horsepower Input to Motor
(was A.1.2)

The average outlet velocity shall be the unit flow rate

divided by the face area of the discharge nozzle.
9.5 OUTLET VELOCITY UNIFORMITY
The average of the recorded outlet velocities shall be
calculated, with their standard deviation, and the outlet
velocity uniformity calculated by dividing the standard
deviation with the average velocity and then multiplied by
100, subtracted from 100, and expressed in percent.

10. REPORT AND RESULTS OF TEST

10.1 REPORT
The report of a test shall include nomenclature identifying
the air curtain unit including appurtenances, test setup,
and test instruments, as outlined in Section 8. The
laboratory shall be identified by name and location.

9.5.1 Pitot-Static Tube Velocity.

(was A.2)

10.2 UNIT FLOW RATE TEST

10.2.1 Performance Curves. The results of an air flow
rate test shall be presented as a performance curve. All
results shall be converted to standard air density.

9.5.2 Standard Deviation.

(was A.3)

AMCA Standard 220-91

10.2.2 Coordinates. The performance curve shall be
drawn with flow rate as abscissa, pressure, power input,
and efficiency as ordinates, as shown in Figure 5.
10.2.3 Test Points. The results for each determination
shall be shown as a series of points; one for each variable
plotted as an ordinate.
10.2.4 Curve Fitting. Curves for each variable shall be
developed from the test points for reference.
10.2.5 Identification. Performance curve sheets shall
list the test unit, setup used, and all appurtenances in
place.
10.3 OUTLET VELOCITY UNIFORMITY TEST
10.3.1 Performance Table. The locations and the
results of the measurements shall be presented in a table
with the calculated arithmetic average of the measured
results, their standard deviation and uniformity, as shown
in Figure 6.
10.4 VELOCITY PROJECTION TEST
10.4.1 Performance Table. The locations and the
results of the measurements shall be presented in a table
with the calculated arithmetic average of the measured
results, their standard deviation and uniformity, for each
distance from the discharge nozzle, as shown in Figure 6.

AMCA Standard 220-91

FORMULAE:

NOTES:

For flow and pressure formula,

see AMCA Standard 210.

1. Unit can be mounted horizontally

or vertically.

Figure 1 Unit Flow Rate Test Setup

AMCA Standard 220-91

NOTES:

FORMULAE:

1. See Figures 3 & 4 for test plane setups.

2. Adjust nozzle as per Figure 1.
3. Center top baffle over airflow.

Figure 2 Velocity Projection and Outlet Velocity Uniformity Test Setup

AMCA Standard 220-91

NOTES:
1. n - Number of test lines (5 rein).
2. For even number of air moving devices
n must be odd number.
3. For odd number of air moving devices n must be even
number.
4. Round each calculated exact location to the nearest
1/4 inch.
5. x = Peak velocity along test plane.
6. Adjust nozzle as per Figure 1.
7. Setup as per Figure 2.

FORMULAE:

*(Max 4" see notes 2, 3 and 4)

Figure 3 Outlet Velocity Uniformity Test Setup

8

AMCA Standard 220-91

FORMULAE:

NOTES:
1. n- Number of test lines (5min).
2. For even number of air moving devices n must be odd
number.
3. For odd number of air moving devices n must be even
number.
4. Round each calculated exact location to the nearest
1/4 inch.
5. If rated throw is less than 6 feet readings are to be
taken at equally spaced distances.
6. x = Peak velocity along test plane.
7. Plane locations accurate to 1 inch.
8. Adjust nozzle as per Figure 1.
9. Setup as per Figure 2.

*(Max 4" see notes 2,3 and 4)

Figure 4

Velocity Projection Test Setup

9

AMCA Standard 220-91

AIR CURTAIN MODEL

STANDARD 220 Figure 1

STANDARD 210
Inlet Chamber Figure

FREE DELIVERY CONDITIONS

Flow Rate

cfm

Average Velocity

cfm

Air Density

lb m /ft 3

Input Watts
Efficiency
TEST NUMBER

CURVE BY

LABORATORY

DATE

LOCATION
Figure 5 Typical Unit Flow Rate Performance Curve
10

AMCA Standard 220-91

Figure 6 Outlet Velocity Uniformity and Velocity Projection Calculation

11

AMCA Standard 220-91

APPENDIX A. Uncertainty in Velocity Determination Using Pitot-Static Tube and Manometer, (based on an
error equivalent to an indicating column length of 0.05 in. wg in a vertical manometer 11 slope ratio).

TABLE OF 5 PERCENT UNCERTAINTY

Slope Ratio

Minimum Useable Velocity

1:1

2800 fpm

2:1

2000 fpm

5:1

1250 fpm

10:1

900 fpm

20:1

630 fpm

12