ALA Launches Ceiling Fan Manual & Certification

The ALA previewed its soon-to-be-released Ceiling Fan Manual and certification course at a party held in the Modern Forms showroom.

The American Lighting Association (ALA) held a launch party in the Modern Forms showroom during Lightovation for its upcoming Ceiling Fan Manual and certification program that will be available soon.

ALA president John Melchi welcomed those in attendance and encouraged them to join the association stating that the Ceiling Fan Manual’s creation was “a member-driven initiative that will benefit the entire industry.” Noting that it “has been a work in progress for a number of years,” Melchi credited members Susan Irie of Kilohana Lighting, a showroom in Hawaii, Lauren Graham of Matthews Fan Company, and Alex Ostrovsky of Modern Forms with spearheading the project and seeing it through to completion.

“It will be a first-class educational tool,” noted Irie about the manual. “This started because, as a retailer, I needed a way to train people that all showrooms can benefit from. This manual will make sure that people coming into the industry or who are crossing over from lighting to fans will understand the basics.”

Added Ostrovsky, “This is something Susan has discussed with me for years. It’s very easy to say you’re going to do something, but it’s another thing to actually get it done. There was a lot of input that we received from the industry and from the ALA Engineering Committee. You have to realize that ceiling fans are an appliance; it’s not a lighting fixture that [turns on and off]. It moves air and has different speeds and needs controls. From the manufacturer’s perspective, we don’t like having issues with products. We want the industry to be offer higher-quality products [which will need more education to explain to the end-user]. People go to a showroom because they want an elevated experience.” 

By providing such a comprehensive manual on the basics of ceiling fans – from components and mechanics to common installation issues – the ALA’s goal is to give showrooms leverage over cheap competition in the category by offering valuable expertise that enables showroom staff to determine the right type of ceiling fan and specifications for each customer.

Graham said, “We have so much experience and knowledge in the lighting industry, but not necessarily in ceiling fans. After taking the 8-hour certification course, you will know how to get it right for the customer. For manufacturers, the goal is to eliminate RGAs. Some reps have never repped a ceiling fan line before and need to learn the basics. A lot of us ceiling fan nerds are self-taught and have our own terminology. We’re taking all of the terms that may be used in the field and creating a universal language so everyone understands exactly what we’re talking about.”

Irie explained, “The Ceiling Fan Specialist designation is so we, in showrooms, can speak intelligently to the customer to find the right solution for their needs.”

The Ceiling Fan Training Manual and corresponding course is only available to active ALA members. The course is taught entirely online. “This is not just printed literature,” Ostrovsky said. “This is an interactive, online course so you and your staff can go through it together. It is done over 6 online modules and is comprised of 8 hours of active learning. Then there is a 50-question test to complete the certification.”

Irie stated, “I’m incredibly proud of how the manual turned out. We need to educate the customer and elevate the category.”

Anyone interested in purchasing the manual and taking the certification course should reach out to the American Lighting Association.