Integrated thermal break frame (ITF) and welded frame (WF-2) air handlers by Nortek Air Solutions (NAS) have received top hurricane ratings from the Miami-Dade County, Florida, and its High Velocity Hurricane Zone building codes.
The ITF and WF-2 commercial and industrial air handling models achieved notice of acceptance (NOA), passing the nation’s most stringent unit wall pressure tests, and now boasts the highest mile per hour (mph) wind load rating in the HVAC industry. The claim is proven by the first, second and third ranking it received above all other Miami-Dade County-Certified air handler brands.
“Engineers, contractors and building owners can be assured that an NAS air handler will give them the best cabinet performance in the industry whether it’s mounted on a roof in hurricane zones or any other high wind region of the nation,” says Joe Naccarello, group vice president of sales and customer operations for Nortek Air Solutions.
Miami-Dade County standards far surpass all other North American building codes. An NOA certification includes tests for air infiltration, uniform static pressure, water resistance, cyclic wind pressure loading and large missile impact. These tests apply to all parts of an air handler’s infrastructure, such as unit base, floors, framework, access doors, handles and hinges, latches, cabinet panels and other components susceptible to damage high wind events.
NAS builds its ITF and WF-2 air handlers with heavy gauge metal exterior panels and interior liners, and a structural integral or welded framework with a fully-welded structural unit base. All units are voluntarily tested at Nortek's in-house factory test laboratory for performance, strength and durability.
