ARI Certified VAV Terminal Unit Program

TITUS actively participates in ARI’s Certified VAV Terminal program each year and has since its inception in the late 1980s. The certification program’s purpose is to ensure the accuracy of product performance data shown in ARI’s Directory of Certified Applied Air-Conditioning Products. As a charter member of ARI, TITUS volunteered to be part of the preliminary independent tests. Results from the preliminary tests helped establish certification test guidelines and standards. Certification tests are conducted annually at an independent test facility where four units are sent for testing. As in years past, ARI used ITS/Intertek Testing Services located in Cortland, New York for testing.

This year’s certification program tested Variable Air Volume (VAV) terminal units; specifically the units tested were DTQS 716, DTQP 212, DEDV 10, and DESV 08. ARI randomly selected the product samples from each participating manufacturer, sealed the products to prevent tampering, and sent the products to Cortland, New York for testing. While ARI selects the products for testing, the manufacturer pays all expenses associated with testing.

Once the products arrive for testing, they are checked against published ARI performance for compliance in accordance with ARI Standard 880. Testing results are defined as ‘passed’ or ‘failed’. If test results are within accepted test tolerances, it is recorded as having ‘passed’ and the results are presented in a report to ARI and the manufacturer. If measured performance falls outside the set standards, the manufacturer is notified and has the option of witnessing a retest. If the retest option is declined or results in another failure, the product is recorded as having ‘failed’. Test failures are reported to ARI and the manufacturer.

Follow-up tests conducted at the manufacturer’s expense may result in voluntarily re-rating the product. Continued failures may result in an involuntary re-rating of the product. Increasing the number of tests required each year, along with their associated costs, serves as punishment for certification test failures. ARI may interpret repeated failures by even a single product model as the willful misrepresentation of product performance by the manufacturer. If repeated failures occur, the manufacturer will lose the right to present all of their products as being ARI certified; and removal of all their product listings from the Directory will occur.

TITUS is regularly recognized for its exemplary record of certification tests. It is a testament to our laboratory methods and strict adherence to industry standards.