The Air Movement and Control Association International announced that the 2015 version of the International Energy Conservation Code will contain a provision enabling air curtains to be considered as an alternative to vestibules. For compliance, air curtains have to be tested in accordance with ANSI/AMCA Standard 220, and be installed in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.
Air curtains are devices installed above exterior door thresholds that blow a film (curtain) of air downward when the door is opened, trapping conditioned air inside the building.
"The IECC provision complements a similar provision adopted by the 2012 International Green Construction Code. Taken together, air curtains can help meet baseline energy codes and green construction codes," said Brian Jones, chair of the AMCA Air Curtain Engineering Committee.