NFRC Meeting Attendees Relax in the City By the Bay, Bipin Shah Named Member-of-the Year

When Tuesday's proceedings concluded, NFRC's meeting attendees found time to relax during the membership reception, which was held inside the Hilton Financial District Hotel in San Francisco.

During the event, Bipin Shah was named NFRC's member-of-the-year, Marcia Falke accepted a retirement award, and Marcy Strawn was bestowed the title, Honorary Fenestrator.

NFRC's CEO, Jim Benney, accepts member-of-the-year award on behalf of Bipin Shah



Marcia Falke accepts retirement award after 18 years of service to NFRC

Steve and Marcy Strawn celebrate Honorary Fenestrator achievement



NFRC 100A and 200A Headed to Technical Committee

Mike Cienian speaks on attachments

The Exterior/Interior Attachment Task Group reported this afternoon that NFRC 100A and 200A balloting discussions took place prior to the meeting to ensure prompt consideration during the meeting.

The NFRC 100A explains the procedure for determining fenestration attachment product U-factors. The NFRC 200A describes the procedure for determining fenestration attachment product solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) and visible transmittance at normal incidence.

Terry Williamson (Newell) moved, and Dave DeBlock (ODL) seconded to move the NFRC 100A ballot forward to the Technical Committee. The motion passed 56-0. Additionally, Williamson moved and DeBlock seconded to move the entire NFRC 100A document forward to the Technical Committee. This motion passed, 58-0.

Furthermore, moved and DeBlock seconded to move the NFRC 200A, as edited, and the entire document to the Technical Committee. This motion passed, 58-0.

Research and Technology Committee Approves Three Motions, Research Project Acquires Funding

The Research and Technology Committee commenced its work late this afternoon, passing three motions while a research project acquired funding.

Three Motions Pass

Research Subcommittee Chair, Bipin Shah (WinBuild), presented a motion to extend the WINDOW 6/THERM 6 validation research completion deadline to NFRC’s 2011 Spring Membership Meeting. Joe Hayden (Pella) provided a second for the motion, and the vote passed 43-0.

Shah initiated a second motion to approve the CMA Improved Algorithms for Improving the Accuracy of CMA Methodology RFP. The motion passed, 41-1. Following approval of the RFP, a motion to release the RFP for bid was approved, 37-4.

Shah also made a motion to make the final payment to the bidder for the TTD U-factor Research Project. This motioned passed, 33-1.

New Business

Kerry Haglund, from the Center for Sustainable Building Research at the University of Minnesota, College of Design, delivered a presentation on the Window Life Cycle Assessment Project. Following here presentation, a motion was brought forth asking NFRC to provide financial support for the project. The motion passed, 35-3.

Research Subcommitte Wraps up its Work Following Discussions on CMA/CMAST




Hayden speaks about CMAST

The Research Subcommittee completed its work this afternoon by considering three ballots associated with CMA.

Ballot Eight: CMAST Feedback on Usability Study Summary Page

This ballot proposed to study the usability of the CMAST software interface from the perspective of multiple types of users and to organize suggested improvements into a prioritized plan. The goal for this action is that it would improve CMAST’s usability and accelerate its adoption.

One negative comment said NFRC already has a list of issues brought forward by CMAST users and that it is being prioritized for resolution. Another negative suggested that NFRC does not have to prove the accuracy of CMAST, adding that it should not be used other than in real-world situations.

Those in favor of this ballot, however, took the position that obtaining feedback on the usability of CMAST is needed right away in order to address any software problems proactively.

Joe Hayden (Pella) said this topic did not pertain to research and suggested it be undertaken by a different committee. Following this suggestion a vote to move this issue to RAM passed, 27-6.

Ballot Nine: CMA Impact on HVAC Sizing Study Summary Page

This ballot proposed quantifying CMA’s potential influence over HVAC design through more accurate estimation of building envelope loads. The purpose of this study would be to promote the value of CMA as a tool that enhances energy efficient building.

Should the results from this study show that there is significant reduction in peak energy loads, the corresponding reduced energy and capital costs could provide additional motivation for the design team to use CMA and for utility efficiency programs to promote using it.

Tom Culp (Birchpoint Consulting) disagreed with the premise of the ballot, saying CMA already provides a rating that can be used to achieve proper HVAC sizing.

Following a discussion, the ballot resulted in a 17-17 ties and failed by rule.

Ballot 10: CMAST Parametric Targeting Tool Summary Page

This ballot sought to make CMAST a more effective and valuable tool in the design community. This would be accomplished through a software add-on that would automate the process and run parametric CMAST simulations to generate the target result – all combinations of components that meet a specified value of performance ratings by the user.

A vote to send this issue to the Software Committee passed, 32-1

Research Subcommittee Work Continues, Three More Ballots Approved

The Research Subcommittee continues working diligently this afternoon, approving three additional ballots.

Ballot Five: Evaluate Impact of Specific Conditions on Attached Awning Performance Summary Page

This ballot concerned a possible NFRC rating metric for attached awnings. One goal here was developing an RFP, which would ultimately demonstrate the sensitivity of awning performance to those variables unique to these types of window shades. Another goal here was that the results would allow appropriate simplifications to be made for an NFRC comparative metric(s) and NFRC label.

The primary discussion surrounding this topic was that the RFP did not provide information regarding funding from stakeholder groups. Most members favored moving forward with this RFP provided stakeholder groups would provide funding.

A vote for the RFP to be revised to include specific information about stakeholder funding passed, 34-0.

Ballot Six: Attachments Performance Strategic Plan Summary Page

This ballot concerned developing a comprehensive strategic plan for the development and deployment of performance metrics and customer information that NFRC can use to influence the more rapid uptake of window attachments as an energy efficiency and occupant comfort measure.

One of the goals here was that this initiative would result in the development of a shared vocabulary about attachment performance, raising awareness of the value of window attachments and enabling more precise research and development of high-performance products.

A discussion of on this topic suggested that the fundamental issue will require considerable strategic thinking in order to capture the essence of the big picture. Ultimately, a vote to submit a summary page to RAM rather than Research and Technology passed, 41-4.

Ballot Seven: Tubular Daylighting Devices – Research Project to Develop Updated Modeling Procedure Summary Page

This ballot focused on being able to label TDDs using simulation results, validated with one testing procedure per grouped product line, and verified as per new EPA-sanctioned procedures.

The ballot recognized that TDD research projects to date have produced valuable testing results and comparisons to the existing WINDOW 6/THERM 6 simulation procedure. It also acknowledged that additional research with the procedure would produce a proven, valid simulation procedure that offers a permanent solution for the future certification of TDDs.

One negative asked to add a deliverable and payment schedule section to prevent ambiguity. Additionally, the negative asked that the term “hybrid” be used when talking about TDDs.

Following some discussion, a vote to move the RFP forward using the term “hybrid” in the actual document passed, 46-0.

Research Subcommittee Passes Three Ballots, Sends One to RFP Back to Task Group

NFRC’s Research Subcommittee continued working into the afternoon today, passing three ballots this morning.

Ballot One: Developing Improved Algorithms for Improving Accuracy of CMA Methodology Request for Proposal

This ballot focused on developing improved algorithms for the next generation of CMA methodology and proposes specific steps and procedures to be incorporated into the CMAST 2.0 in order to reduce maximum discrepancy between conventional simulation and CMA methodology.

One of the tasks involved in this research project calls for developing the list of products, placing emphasis on the high-performing products and components (spacers, glazing, and frame components). Opposition arose, however, citing that emphasis should be on improving CMA, not developing specific products. The counter-argument pointed out that developing such a list is critical in order to distinguish the better performing products.

The ballot ultimately passed, 30-6.

Ballot Two: Tubular Daylighting Device – Visible Transmittance Rating RFP

This ballot focused on allowing Tubular Daylighting Devices (TDD) to obtain the measured visible light ratings needed for both lighting design and an NFRC Visible Transmittance (VT) rating. This same proposal was defeated two years ago because it was considered expensive and limited in its scope.

One point of opposition that arose contended this version of the RFP requires further refinement to make it more comprehensive rather than focusing narrowly on TDDs. Another point of opposition was that the RFP is not clear in what it asks of bidders.

A motion to send the RFP back to the appropriate Task Group for be revised was approved.

Ballot Three: Fenestration Illumination Measurement Standard Summary Page

This ballot suggested that a research program be developed in two parts. The first would be a study to assess which of the several possible measurement approaches is expected to be the most cost effective for producing sufficient and precise accuracy. The second part of the research program would be to consider three different mounting source options.

Opposition to this initiative suggested NFRC consider that the project branches into areas of energy saving that may be beyond NFRC's agenda. Opposition also suggested that the NFRC Board of Directors may need to determine the benefits of projects such as this before proceeding.

Joe Hayden (Pella) questioned the duration of the project, speculating on whether it would be one or two years, and Research Subcommittee Chair, Bipin Shah agreed that the RFP required more clarification regarding it duration.

Following some additional discussion, this ballot was forwarded to the RFP stage.

Ballot Four: Develop Methodology for Solar-Optical Simulation of Non-Planar Glazing Systems

This ballot discussed a proposed research project to develop a uniform methodology for simulating solar-optical performance of non-planar glazing systems using ray-tracing technique.
This new methodology would become a standard that would be used by APC to accredit laboratories and enable fenestration manufacturers to rate products for visible transmittance and/or solar heat gain coefficient using ray-tracing technique.

Under this initiative, education and experience of the simulator, geometry of the domain, detector placement, source of rays, including direction and density, and aperture opening would all be standardized.

One point of opposition said that TDDs currently have an approved method for Photometric testing under hemispherical/specified sky conditions. Additionally, it contended that the complexity and uncertainty of the actual optics and materials in a TDD makes the simulation an inaccurate and expensive method for determining VT simulation.

Further discussion showed that while others agreed with this point of view, they still favored moving forward. Dave DeBlock (ODL) motioned to develop an RFP, and Miles McDonald (ACTL) provided a second. The ballot passed, 32-1.

Discussion on WINDOW 6 / THERM 6 Figures Prominently in Research Subcommittee Reports



Willie duPont discusses WINDOW6/THERM 6

NFRC’s Research Subcommittee heard several reports during this morning’s section of the Research and Technology Committee block, with WINDOW 6/THERM 6 taking center stage.

WINDOW 6/THERM 6Research Subcommittee Chair, Bipin Shah, led a discussion on the continuing WINDOW6/THERM6 Validation project.

Joe Hayden (Pella) noted a discrepancy between what was thought to be tested and what was actually being tested. Willie duPont elaborated, saying that a questionnaire revealed some variance in how simulations were performed on several specimens.

This variance involved how the specimens were configured and installed. In some cases, they were not documented clearly, and in other cases there were some inconsistencies with the installation methods used by the labs. duPont informed the membership that the issues have been resolved.

Hayden pointed out that extending the project would provide the time needed to thoroughly assess this situation and to gather the information needed for simulations to match as closely as possible.

Hayden then presented a motion to extend the WINDOW6/THERM 6 Validation Research Completion deadline until the Spring 2011 meeting. The motion was seconded by Dave DeBlock (ODL), and it passed 16-0.

Condensation Resistance Procedure for CMA PMTG

NFRC member, Charlie Curcija, pointed out additional issues found in WINDOW 6 /THERM 6, noting inconsistencies with certain data. These inconsistencies resulted because several files were not properly updated. Kevin Vilhauer (Milgard) motioned to extend the condensation resistance procedure for CMA to NFRC’s Spring Membership Meeting. Joe Hayden (Pella) provided a second, and the motion passed 46-0.

Complex VT Rating Research PMTG

NFRC member, Ross McCluney, reported that this research is complete. Results will be posted on the NFRC Website, and members will be informed on how they can provide comments.

Gas Permeability Research (IGMA Project, NFRC Cosponsoring)

The implementation of this project remains in question.

Ventilation Rating TG

This TG discussed the of ventilation area versus cubic feet/minute (CFM) as it relates to wind speed. It also spoke about the need to acquire input from screen manufacturers, noting differences in the openness of various types of screens and the need to resolve these differences in order to facilitate further discussion. The TG is working on a ballot to accomplish this.

Daylighting Potential Rating TG

This TG focused on the need to develop its scope, acknowledging the strong dichotomy between what manufacturers believe is needed and what NFRC believes is needed. Research Subcommittee Chair, Bipin Shah, called on members to provide the TG with the insight and direction it needs to proceed and suggested a conference call to discuss long-term goals.

NFRC Completes First Thermophysical Property Interlaboratory Comparison



McGowan Reports on Thermophysical Property Interlaboratory Comparisonon

Ray McGowan, NFRC’s Senior Manager, Research and Technical Services, reported to the membership this morning that NFRC has completed its first Thermophysical Property Interlaboratory Comparison (ILC) as required by NFRC 103-Verification Program for Thermophysical Property Data.

McGowan explained that four commercial testing labs successfully completed the ILC and are now listed as NFRC participating testing labs on the NFRC Website. These labs may test materials for inclusion in NFRC 101-Procedure for Determining Thermophysical Properties of Materials for use in NFRC Approved Software.