Q-PAC Builds AMCA 270–Designed Airflow Tunnel for Multimotor Fan System Testing

Q-PAC, a designer and manufacturer of advanced commercial HVAC fan systems, is building an advanced airflow tunnel designed to the AMCA 270 standard to support full-scale performance testing of multimotor plenum fans and similar HVAC fan systems. According to the company, the design is the first airflow tunnel intended for AMCA 270 certification, establishing a benchmark for multimotor system airflow testing. This tunnel will allow Q-PAC to perform in-house testing of complete multimotor configurations, measuring performance on the full system instead of being estimated from single-fan tests.

The tunnel integrates sixteen supply fans to achieve high airflow rates and to evaluate complex multimotor interactions that cannot be replicated in traditional single or dual-fan test tunnels. Designed to test airflow up to 70,000 CFM and static pressure up to 12 in. wc. (inches of water column), it supports standard and high-capacity HVAC applications. By validating performance at the system level, the tunnel is intended to provide more accurate airflow data and improve confidence in published performance ratings.

A key capability of the tunnel is its ability to simulate real-world operating conditions, including fan or motor failure scenarios. This will allow Q-PAC to quantify how airflow and system performance are affected when individual fans are offline, supporting maintenance planning and reliability assessments for multimotor systems.

The airflow tunnel measures 30 feet in length with a 144-square-foot cross-sectional area, accommodating full-scale, production-sized fan systems. Sixteen independently controlled differential pressure nozzles enable precise airflow measurement across a wide range of test conditions. The system supports both push-through and pull-through testing under positive and negative pressure configurations.

Q-PAC also designed the tunnel with AHRI 430 compliance in mind, supporting evolving data requirements from OEMs, engineers, and facility designers. Automation is built into the system to reduce manual intervention and improve test repeatability, particularly when mapping complex system performance curves.

Additional design features include a removable supply fan section and interior access doors to simplify maintenance and allow rapid reconfiguration for different test setups.

If you would like to learn more about the airflow tunnel and its capabilities, contact a Q-PAC engineer through its website: Q-PAC | Contact Us.