Published in the June 2015 issue of Building Safety Journal Online
This article describes the function and benefits of air curtains. It presents results from a recent study on the energy performance of air curtains relative to vestibules and provides useful information for engineers and code officials.
Berner Press Release – Air Curtains as Alternative to Vestibules – Building Safety Journal June 2015
Building energy codes in the United States require vestibules at most commercial building entrances above a certain size threshold, but an AMCA-certified air curtain meeting the applicable performance standard can qualify for a code-recognized vestibule exception that eliminates the need for physical vestibule construction. This is not a workaround; it is a documented, code-compliant pathway that architects, engineers, and building owners have used to reduce both construction costs and lobby square footage at office buildings, healthcare facilities, retail centers, and government offices. Berner Air Curtains manufactures AMCA-certified units specifically designed to meet the performance thresholds required for vestibule exception qualification.
The financial case for using a Berner air curtain as a vestibule alternative is straightforward: vestibule construction costs typically range from tens of thousands to over one hundred thousand dollars depending on building size and finishes, while a Berner Air Curtains unit installation costs a fraction of that amount and delivers ongoing energy savings as well. Architects specifying new commercial projects and building owners planning renovations can both benefit from understanding the vestibule exception provisions and how Berner Air Curtains supports code compliance documentation. Contact Berner Air Curtains for AMCA certification information and support for your specific project.