Posted by
Patrick Maness
In October, the City of New York will join other legislative bodies who require air curtains. Reminiscent of California’s legislation, nearly two decades old, that requires an air curtain at the receiving door, New Yorkers will be able to dependably keep flying insects out with the power of properly directed and calibrated air flow.
The new code was designed to impact the “building envelope”—a term to describe the barrier between the climate controlled indoors and the outdoors. Recognizing that a well-sealed building envelope prevents heated or cooled interior air from escaping, the code will reduce utility spend and contribute to larger climate goals.
The code also provides a supporting hand to businesses by allowing the use of an air curtain as a barrier-free replacement to the costlier vestibule.
Now, any building 75 feet or taller with a door opening into a space that is 1,000 square-feet or more will be able to rely on an air curtain in lieu of the time and cost of vestibule construction. Further, an invisible wall of air will not interfere with access by the disabled.
The New York City Energy Conservation Code has the larger objective of cutting carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050 through a variety of means, including the use of a
Mars air curtain.
The next local or state municipality to take similar steps remains to be seen, but there will no doubt be others.