Nortek Air Handlers Achieve HVAC Industry’s Top Hurricane Rating from Miami-Dade County

Notice of acceptance (NOA) from Miami-Dade’s stringent tests puts Nortek’s ITF and WF-2 air handlers above the competition for hurricane-rated building standards.

ST. LOUIS (June 18, 2019) - Nortek Air Solutions (NAS), the largest manufacturer of custom HVAC equipment in North America, builds the industry’s best hurricane-rated air handlers, according to a recent notice of acceptance (NOA) issued by Miami-Dade County, Fla., and its High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) building codes.

NAS’ Integrated Thermal Break Frame (ITF) and Welded Frame (WF-2) commercial and industrial air handling models passed 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,” said Joe Naccarello, Group Vice President–Sales and Customer Operations, NAS, St. Louis.

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 NAS’ in-house factory test laboratory for performance, strength and durability.

NOA 19-0227.05 and 17.1219.01 for the ITF and the WF-2 air handlers expire in 2024 and 2023, respectively. For more information about Nortek Air Solutions and its product portfolio, visit www.nortekair.com.