SPX Cooling Tech, LLC, a global leader in highly engineered cooling solutions, announces it has successfully completed qualification testing for the Cooling Technology Institute (CTI) Sound Certification Program, which launched on Jan. 19, 2026. SPX Cooling Tech is the first manufacturer to qualify for this new certification, underscoring the company’s longstanding leadership in acoustic engineering accuracy and data integrity.
The CTI Sound Certification Program, defined in CTI STD‑204 and tested under the rigorous ATC‑128 procedure, verifies that a manufacturer’s published 1.5‑meter and 15‑meter sound pressure levels align with independently measured performance data. Eligible equipment must also be thermally certified under CTI STD‑201, creating a unified framework for both acoustic and thermal verification across cooling towers, closed‑circuit fluid coolers, evaporative refrigerant condensers, and adiabatic and dry fluid coolers.
“CTI Sound Certification represents a major step forward for the industry in establishing consistent, independently verified acoustic performance standards,” said Glenn Brenneke, vice president of global engineering and research & development. “SPX Cooling Tech has invested for more than a decade in helping shape this program, and being the first to qualify products reflects our commitment to engineering accuracy, transparency and giving customers confidence in the data they rely on.”
For SPX Cooling Tech, this program builds upon more than 60 years of experience in sound testing and acoustic engineering. From early analog measurement tools to today’s precision digital multi‑microphone systems, SPX Cooling has continuously advanced sound testing methodologies and internal validation processes. This deep technical foundation enables SPX to deliver independently verified sound data with a level of rigor and repeatability that supports both engineering confidence and real-world application requirements.
Independent evaluations have shown discrepancies of up to 10 dBA between published and actual sound levels for non‑certified competitive equipment. By qualifying early in the CTI program, SPX Cooling Tech reinforces its commitment to transparency and supports engineers working in highly regulated, sound-sensitive markets.
CTI Sound Certification delivers measurable advantages for owners, developers, and specifiers seeking accurate acoustic performance:
- Independently validated sound data for confident system design
- Reduced project risk through predictable acoustic performance
- Support for compliance with local noise ordinances and property‑line sound limits
- Annual reverification ensures ongoing consistency and reliability
- A standardized framework enabling transparent comparisons across manufacturers
“Sound certification gives engineers and owners greater confidence that published sound data reflects real-world performance, helping them make more informed decisions on sound-sensitive projects,” said Corey Baker, senior manager of global technical services.
As participation in the CTI Sound Certification Program grows, certified Marley models will be listed in the CTI Certification Directory, enabling engineers and owners to verify certification during specification and procurement. Initial CTI Sound-Certified Marley product lines include the Aquatower, AV Cooling Tower, MD Cooling Tower, NC Cooling Tower and OlympusV Fluid Cooler, with additional product families to follow.
