ASHRAE and ACCA publish load calculation standard.

Press Release Summary:



Available for purchase, ANSI/ASHRAE/ACCA Standard 183-2007, Peak Cooling and Heating Load Calculations in Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, establishes minimum requirements for building loads that are inclusive of as many procedural methods as possible while identifying core elements that impact heat loss and gains. Requirements are non-prescriptive and are aimed at ensuring that developers of load calculation methodologies observe recognized good practices.



Original Press Release:



ASHRAE, ACCA Publish Load Calculation Standard



ATLANTA - A new standard that establishes minimum requirements for performing load calculations has been published by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. The standard was developed in conjunction with the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA).

ANSI/ASHRAE/ACCA Standard 183-2007, Peak Cooling and Heating Load Calculations in Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, is available for purchase at www.ashrae.org/bookstore.

Proper load calculations are the first step in any design process, says Chris Wilkins, chair of the committee that wrote the standard. Efficiency and comfort are only possible if the equipment is selected to match the load."

The standard establishes minimum requirements for building loads that are inclusive of as many procedural methods as possible while identifying core elements that impact heat loss and gains. Requirements are non-prescriptive and are aimed at ensuring that developers of load calculation methodologies observe recognized good practices. The specifics in undertaking a load are left to the discretion of the industry professional by their selection and application of load methodologies that meet the standard.

The need for the standard was driven largely by the desire of the code enforcement community. Code references to the ASHRAE Handbook existed, making it the de facto standard.

"The industry recognized that we were the appropriate source for load calculation guidance, but the problem was that the ASHRAE Handbook was never intended to be a standard," says Wilkins. "Standard 183 now provides an appropriate compliance reference that reconciles each organization's needs."

"We are pleased that the standard meets the needs of our members," says Phil Forner, ACCA 2007 - 2008 chairman. "ACCA wants contractors to have access to the most accurate, efficient and effective design standards, and this will help contractors with commercial building load calculations."

The cost of Standard 183-2007 is $24(ASHRAE members, $19) and is available in print and download versions. To order, contact ASHRAE Customer Service at 1-800-527-4723 (United States and Canada) or 404-636-8400 (worldwide); fax 404-321-5478; by mail at 1791 Tullie Circle NE, Atlanta, GA 30329; or visit the Bookstore at www.ashrae.org.

Contact: Wendy Angel
Public Relations
678-539-1216
wangel@ashrae.org

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