Welcome To The Home of Southwest Florida ASHRAE Chapter 139
Chapter memeber Services
Membership Grades
ASHRAE membership is open to any person associated with heating, ventilation, air conditioning or refrigeration. ASHRAE is unique because its membership is drawn from a wide range of disciplines relating to the HVAC&R field. Approximately 50,000 individuals from more than 100 nations belong to the Society. Among them are students, consulting engineers, mechanical contractors, building owners, and employees of manufacturing companies, educational institutions, research organizations, government or any organization concerned with environmental control. Members range from students to longtime engineers and professionals in other related disciplines such as architecture and medical research. The Society has four grades of membership that are awarded to applicants based on their experience and participation in the industry. A brief description of the grades is shown below. For more detailed information on each grade, click on the grade link below.
Member
The grade of Member is awarded to individuals who have twelve or more years of qualified industry-related experience. Credit for industry related experience can be earned from any combination of approved education, work experience and professional registration.
At the time of admission or advancement, a Member shall have the equivalent of twelve (12) Society-approved years of experience composed of an approved combination of: (1) completed education beyond high school; (2) work experience; and (3) professional engineering or related registration or license issued by a legally authorized body.
All technical and scientific education shall be based on curricula approved by the Board of Directors. Approved engineering curricula shall be equivalent to that accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology or approved by the Board of Directors. Each year of completed education for graduates of such approved curricula shall receive 1 1/2 years' credit toward the twelve- (12) years required. Each year of approved education for non-graduates of such approved curricula who complete at lease two years, and graduates of technical schools not so approved shall receive one year's credit for each academic year completed.
One year for each year of qualifying work experience in the performance of duties in work related to ASHRAE fields as verified by the applicant's reference, and shall have included research, teaching, design, contracting, engineering sales, or engineering management.
Qualifying Work Experience
The following defines qualifying work experience in ASHRAE-related fields:
A. Research -- must have demonstrated competence in independent and original research in ASHRAE-related fields of an engineering or scientific nature which has been published.
B. Teaching -- Assistant Professor or higher in an engineering or scientific discipline in ASHRAE-related fields.
C. Design -- responsible for engineering or scientific design including calculations, system and equipment selection and layout, and performance.
D. Contracting -- Responsible for the installation, start-up and operation of heating, refrigeration, air-conditioning, ventilating and allied systems. Must demonstrate capability of initiating or evaluating the effect of engineering or scientific design changes of any type on the performance of the system.
E. Engineering Sales -- Must be responsible for assistance to system designers in the engineering, equipment selection and application of components of heating, refrigeration, air-conditioning, ventilation and allied systems.
F. Engineering Management -- Must be directly responsible for and involved in the management of technical, scientific and engineering phases of the company.
Professional Registration - A professional REGISTRATION license issued by a legally authorized body IN ENGINEERING OR RELATED FIELDS whose requirements as to education and active practice are considered satisfactory and adequate by the Board of Directors shall entitle the applicant to three (3) Society-accredited years toward the twelve (12) required. To be considered satisfactory and adequate, professional registration or license must be in a field directly related to fulfillment of society objectives.
Associate Member
The Associate Member grade is awarded to individuals who have less than twelve years of ASHRAE-approved industry experience in the heating, refrigerating, air-conditioning, or ventilating fields.
Associate Member shall have had experience in technical matters or in design, operation, or maintenance in heating, refrigerating, air-conditioning or ventilating fields; shall have an interest in the advancement of the Society's aims, and shall possess sufficient qualifications to cooperate with heating, refrigerating, air-conditioning or ventilating engineers in the advancement of the knowledge relating to heating, refrigerating, air-conditioning, or ventilating engineering and its application.
Affiliate Member
ASHRAE’s newest grade is an introductory grade for applicants with a general interest in the Society’s programs and services. Assignment to this grade is limited to those who are under 30 years of age who are first-time new members.
ASHRAE’s new Affiliate member grade is ideal for younger professionals; new members who want an introduction to ASHRAE; and international professionals. The annual dues are $40.
To qualify, you must have an interest in the advancement of the Society's aims, and sufficient qualifications to cooperate with HVAC&R engineers in the advancement of the knowledge relating to HVAC&R engineering and its application.
This grade is for new members only. You must be under 30 years of age during your Affiliate membership, and can only hold this grade for up to three cumulative years. (You can then upgrade your membership to Member or Associate Member.)
The Affiliate Member benefits are similar to those of Member and Associate Members, with some exceptions. As part of your Affiliate membership, you’ll receive the following at no additional charge:
Access to member-only web pages.
ASHRAE Journal.
HVAC&R Industry eNewsletter.
Society Connections eNewsletter.
In addition, you’ll receive a 20% discount on publications (including ASHRAE Standards & Guidelines); and discounts on educational courses and ASHRAE Meeting registrations.
The Affiliate membership is different than other grades in that you:
Do not receive an ASHRAE Handbook with membership. You do get a one-time discount (20% off) on all Handbook items.
Can serve on Chapter committees (but cannot hold office or vote at Chapter, Regional or Society level).
Student Member
To qualify as a student member you must be studying or have an interest in an HVAC&R industry-related field. Eligible students must be participating in an approved course of study in a university, college, junior college, or technical institute.
Should you have additional questions regarding membership, please feel free to contact the Membership Development Manager at 404-636-8400.