Research SC Approves Three Ballots

The Research Subcommittee led by Bipin Shah, WinBuild, Inc., had a full agenda Tuesday morning, beginning with reporting on current projects and priorities and discussions on resource management and concluding with passage of three motions to move forward with research on fenestration attachment products and complex product VT.

NFRC Staff opened the meeting with a micro snapshot of projects, priorities and funding currently in front of the Research Subcommittee. Dave De Block of ODL and Kevin Vilhauer of Milgard Manufacturing then received approval to extend projects and Willie Dupont of Sunergy Consulting gave a presentation on the status of his research project on the validation of WINDOW 6 and THERM 6.

After addressing numerous negatives, the subcommittee approved the following motions:

-- to develop and issue an exterior awning research RFP. The project will help to determine if NFRC can develop fair, accurate, and credible rating and labeling procedures for exterior awnings. NFRC Chair Joe Hayden of Pella commented that while he welcomed the funding for this research project offered by the Professional Awning Manufacturers Association, he urged PAMA and others to remember that “by conducting this research project, it does not guarantee that a rating procedure will be developed.”

-- to approve a fenestration attachment rating research summary ballot put forward by Willie DuPont. However, the motion contains new direction from the subcommittee to the Research & Technology Committee and the Board of Directors that the attachment industry should provide cost-sharing for this relatively expensive project.

-- to approve a request for services to conduct complex product VT research.

The three motions will be taken to the R&T Committee for approval, and then on to the Board of Directors.