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European HVAC Test Facility

Ongoing innovation, unmatched expertise, relentless commitment and over 100 years of experience in the design and manufacture of HVAC equipment. This is the Trane promise, seen at first hand in our new European large HVAC test facility. Our exhaustive tests guarantee that your installation on site fully conforms to the strictest performance criteria. 

HVAC manufacturers perform the standard Eurovent tests which are a well-recognized industry practice. However, actual operating conditions can vary significantly because every application is different and standardized tests are often incapable of confirming that a unit will operate exactly as the client requires. That’s why Trane designed and built this industry-leading test facility, capable of evaluating performance under customer-defined parameters.  

 

The new Trane European Research and Development Laboratory in Epinal, France, is resourced to validate the performance of the entire Trane portfolio, including large capacity chillers, air-to-water heat pumps and multi-pipe units. Temperature extremes from -25°C to +55°C can be simulated, regardless of outdoor ambient conditions.

The Trane testing facility has been designed to function as a validation center for new product development. It is capable of simulating the widest range of operating conditions encountered by HVAC equipment.

Before the equipment leaves the factory, its performance is validated under the conditions at which it should operate once installed. Trane customers can actually observe their newly acquired equipment under test for their specific application and ambient conditions.

The Trane European Research and Development facility fully complies with industry standards meaning that procedures, measurements and conditions are respected to provide our customers with trustable and certified performance. The most commonly used standards include:

  • EN 14511: Air conditioners, liquid chilling packages and heat pumps with electrically driven compressors for space heating and cooling - Test method
  • EN 14825: Air conditioners, liquid chilling packages and heat pumps with electrically driven compressors for space heating and cooling - Part load and seasonal performances determination
  • ISO 3744: Acoustic - Sound pressure method
  • ISO 9614: Acoustic - Sound intensity method
  • ISO 13253: Air to air, air conditioner and heat pumps - Performance testing
  • EN 1886: Air Handling Units - Mechanical performances

This testing facility enables the optional Eurovent certification of air-cooled chillers above 600 kW.

In addition, to ensure our testing meets or exceeds accuracy requirements, testing equipment is verified by the Trane metrology lab with traceability to National Standards (Cofrac).

The range of Trane test packages and proof-of-performance options is unsurpassed in the industry. It includes:

  • Standard Eurovent tests
  • Custom test points
  • Part load test points
  • Sound tests
  • Heat recovery and heat pump tests
  • Free cooling
  • Glycol tests
  • Variable primary flow
  • Cold start
  • Rapid restart
  • Pressure drop
  • Unloading capabilities
  • Unit security check.

The Trane testing facility at Epinal consists of a 5000m3 climate chamber with advanced ambient temperature and humidity control. This enables us to simulate a wide range of operating modes to ensure we can validate the performances of the entire Trane portfolio, including large capacity chillers, air-to-water heat pumps and multi-pipe units.

Chamber dimensions

  • Length: 21m
  • Height: 12.5m
  • Width: Total = 20m; Effective = 9m
  • Maximum unit size: 16m x 3.5m x 3.5m

Operating range

  • Entering Air T°: -25°C/+55°C
  • Leaving Water T°: -12°C/+65°C (Below 4°C with glycol)
  • Humidity: 10 – 90% max @ 7°C dry bulb.

Note: Maximum of 30 °C variation on air T° within the same day is tolerated

Capacity range

  • Air-cooled units 200 to 1700 kW @ Eurovent conditions (12/7°C - 35°C)
  • Water-cooled units 200 to 1450 kW @ Eurovent conditions (12/7°C - 30/35°C)
  • Heat pump units 200 to 1000 kW @ Eurovent conditions (40/45°C - 7/6°C)

Note: Maximum capacity handled in the lab is function of the test conditions. In case of test out of standard conditions, feasibility must be checked by the lab