Heschong Emphasizes Healthy, Productive Influence of Daylighting on Humans During Presentation to NFRC Membership

Heschong speaks to NFRC membership on daylighting

Lisa Heschong, principal with the Heschong Mahone Group, a consulting firm that provides professional services in the field of building energy efficiency, emphasized the healthy and productive influence of daylighting on humans during a presentation to the NFRC membership this afternoon.

Heschong told the audience her research shows that more exposure to daylighting leads to improved health and greater productivity.

A newly discovered non-optic ganglion receptor in the human eye shows there are non-visual light receptors in the retina. These signal a separate neural and hormonal pathway, causing light at the eye to have a positive influence on alertness, mood, memory, and health. This, in turn, leads to mental stimulation and stress reduction while providing Circadian Rhythms that allow people to self medicate.

“Daylight is a drug,” Heschong said. “It’s as powerful as any pharmaceutical that influences our moods.”

Heschong also explained the positive effects of daylighting on productivity. Her research also shows that retail locations with more daylighting realize increased sales, students in well lit schools learn two percent faster, and office employees exposed to more daylighting work seven percent faster while achieving 10 percent better cognitive performance.

Additionally, the positive effects of daylighting necessitate the need for daylight performance metrics for building owners and designers, manufacturers, and codes and standards developers.

Heschong suggested that NFRC’s development of testing and reporting standards for daylighting products and public libraries of performance data that enable the evaluation of system-level performance would serve the public well.

Some areas that would require particular attention are daylight sufficiency, sunlight exposure, uniformity, blinds operation, and glare.

Heschong finished by saying the positive effects of daylighting on people also has a positive effect on energy efficiency.

“When people get more daylight, they are less likely to use their task lighting,” she concluded, “and this drives down the overall energy use of the building.”

CMA Subcommittee Works Toward New Version of Label Certificate

The Component Modeling Approach (CMA) Ratings Subcommittee met late this afternoon and discussed a ballot concerning the NFRC 705, which addresses various requests to make the label certificate more useful and representative.

The CMA Labeling Task Group (TG) developed a new version of the label certificate, which was modified to group products into categories that correspond to ASHRAE 90.1 and IECC. Modifications also include an area-weighted average for product category groups and for entire projects.

One member posed a negative, stating disapproval of basing the area-weighted average for code compliance on actual size. The concern here is that this could result in substantially different average values than taking the average of values determined through NFRC 100 and NFRC 200, which most codes reference.

A motion to find this negative persuasive and substantive and to return it to TG for further passed, 28-8.

Another negative that arose suggested that the proposed label changes incorporate product categories (metal and non-metal) that add complexity and are unnecessary and unwarranted because they perpetuate the framing material bias present in ASHRAE 90.1 and the IECC. The negative also suggested reverting to the previously approved format.

The negative was found persuasive and substantive and carried, 11-7.

A third negative concerned adjusting the ballot language to strongly convey that the ratings on the “Supplemental Product Information” page are not certified. The proposed change would create the words, “Non-Certified Product Information at Actual Size and Area-Weighted Performance Information” in the heading, and the words, “Non-Certified” would be added back to the table header.

The motion passed 24-4.

NFRC 700, Dash Language Goes Forward, TDD Labels Headed Back to Task Group

Chair John McFee oversees discussion on TDDs

NFRC's Labeling Subcommittee met this afternoon, with an extensive discussion on TDD labels taking center stage.

The first topic undertaken by the subcomttiee, however, involved NFRC 700, Dash Language.

NFRC 700, Dash Language

This ballot pertains to language required to identify example label formats, which must conform to Appendix B, section B.3. It also pertains to language required to clarify use of a dash “-“ on the label – Appendix B, section B.10 and Figure B-10.

This ballot did not draw any negatives and a motion to forward it to the Ratings Committee passed by unanimous voice vote.

NFRC 700, TDD Labels

Following the recent unsuccessful ballot for additional TDD labeling options, the TDD Labeling Task Group (TG) was expanded to include most members who had submitted persuasive negatives.

This expanded TG reviewed the NFRC 600 and the NFRC 700, ultimately creating this ballot, which is concerned with clarifying NFRC’s requirements for labels applied outside of the manufacturer’s facilities.

One negative that arose was that the provisions outlined by these changes suggest that a non-licensee is permitted to make labeling decisions that affect the rating given the product. The negative contended that this is a dramatic change to NFRC procedure and called for tighter controls before allowing this.

After the negative was presented, a motion was passed to find it persuasive and substantive and to send back to TG for resolution.

The motion triggered considerable discussion. One member pointed out that the TG already considered this issue and determined that existing procedures allowed this. Another member confirmed that this issue arose in the TG, but added that the TG could find no alternatives. A third member expressed concern that someone not covered under a license could leave NFRC with no one to go back to should a problem arise.

Following the discussion, a vote on the motion resulted in an 18-18 tie, and by rule, the motion failed.

Chair, John McFee (WDMA), then recommended a new motion to work toward resolution. This, however, drew some concern from the membership that they would be voting in haste rather than carefully evaluating the issue.

A vote to send the ballot back to TG ultimately passed, 20-15.

Certification Subcommittee Sends Two Ballots Forward to Ratings

The Certification Subcommittee convened this afternoon, discussing two ballots and sending them forward to Ratings.

Ballot One: NFRC 700, Reprint Temporary Labels

This ballot is concerned with the protocol to reprint temporary labels. A newly proposed section (6.4.D.) states that reprints of temporary labels will be allowed only if the temporary label was removed prior to inspection, the label is required for code or regulatory compliance, and the manufacturer is able to accurately identify the product line and specific glazing option installed. All of these requirements would need to be met.

A motion to carry the ballot forward to Ratings passed by unanimous voice vote.

Ballot Two: NFRC 700, Fenestration Manufacturer Certificate (FMC)

This ballot is concerned with the FMC and label language for non-certified products (6.1.B). It is also concerned with developing a consistent format of the term, “Label Certificate” in multiple sections, and the language in Appendix C, which was added and modified for required and optional information on all label certificates.

A motion to carry the ballot forward to Ratings passed by unanimous voice vote.

Technical Committee Concludes its Work, Awnings and CMA Figure Prominently in Discussions

The Technical Committee concluded its work this afternoon after tackling a number of items.

Validation Task Group

• Disbanded but will be reformed if necessary at a later date

Software Subcommittee

• Motion to extend the sunset of WINDOW6/THERM6 software to July 1, 2011 passed by unanimous voice vote

Attachments Subcommittee

• The Awnings Task Group a one-page item for conducting awnings research and will present an action item during ratings.
• A motion in to move the NFRC 100A document as edited and in its entirety be forwarded to the Board for approval and publication as a 2011 document passed by unanimous voice vote passed
• A motion to move the NFRC 200A document as edited and in its entirety be forwarded to the Board for approval and publication as a 2011 document passed by unanimous voice vote

Annual Energy Performance Subcommittee

• No action times

Condensation Resistance Subcommittee

• No report

Air Leakage Subcommittee

• No action items. New chair beginning with SC, pending approval of board. Accept Chris as chair and take to board for approval.

U-factor Subcommittee

• A motion to approve the 3 ballots pertaining to NFRC 102, as edited at the U-factor Subcommittee, and move them forward to the Board for implementation upon publication was approved by unanimous voice vote.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) Subcommittee

• A motion to approve the NFRC 201 as presented by the SHGC Subcommittee and move forward to the Board with implementation upon publication passed by unanimous voice vote

Component Modeling Approach (CMA) Subcommittee

• The CMA Subcommittee will hold a conference call regarding the formation of a Task Group to Heschong Mahone Group (HMG) to determine where and how to spend money for CMA.
• Charilie Curcija suggested the Software Subcommittee should not be under the Technical Committee, but rather under Research and Technology, pointing out his desire for software to be discussed in a more open environment. Chair Jeff Baker will take this recommendation to the Board.

The Ratings Committee block begins at 1:00 p.m. (PT).

CMA Technical Subcommittee Discusses Spandrel Area

During this morning’s Technical Committee block, the CMA Technical Subcommittee undertook discussion of two ballots concerning spandrel area, with both going back to Task Group.

Ballot One: NFRC 100-2010 Ballot-Spandrel Considerations

Spandrel systems were included in the NFRC 100-2010, but without specifying how to model them. This ballot would add language and provide material for the Technical Interpretation Policy Committee (TIPC) to instruct the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBL) to revise the simulation manual with modeling steps for calculating the U-factors of spandrel panel systems and recommend that CMAST steering committee initiate changes in CMAST to provide functionality to calculated U-factors of spandrel systems.

Jeff Baker (Westlab) presented a negative stating that no proof has been provided that this procedure would validate if tested. Baker moved and Marles McDonald (NCTL) seconded to find the negative persuasive and substantive. This passed by unanimous voice vote.

Ballot Two: NFRC 200-2010 Ballot-Spandrel Considerations

Spandrel systems were included in the NFRC 200-2010, but without specifying how to model them. This ballot would add language and provide material for the Technical Interpretation Policy Committee (TIPC) to instruct the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBL) to revise the simulation manual with modeling steps for calculating the U-factors of spandrel panel systems and recommend that CMAST steering committee initiate changes in CMAST to provide functionality to calculated U-factors of spandrel systems.

Tom Culp (Birch Point) presented a negative stating that following consultation with several manufacturers one question that arose was whether a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) calculation is needed for spandrel area. The rationale here is that building energy codes treat spandrel area as a wall, where there are no SHGC requirements.

Additionally, the negative pointed out that while fritted spandrel glass and other opaque infills can be handled in a U-factor simulation where they are treated like clear glass, they are test-only products for SHCG, which causes excessive expense when there is no real demand or need for a SHGC rating for spandrel areas.

Accordingly, the negative recommended that a spandrel area procedure not be included in NFRC 200, and when the U-factor rating for spandrel is completed, the PCP make it clear that SHGC is not a required rating on the label certificate for spandrel area.

Brenden (AAMA) moved, and Mike Barklay (Enermodal) seconded to find the Birch Point negative persuasive and substantive. This passed by voice vote.

Bipin Shah Formally Accepts NFRC Member-of-the-Year Award

Bipin Shah (WinBuild) officially accepted the prestigious NFRC Member-of-the-Year award this morning.

Jeff Baker (Westlab) made the announcement during Tuesday night's member reception, but Shah was not available to accept the award.

Baker praised Shah for his tireless international efforts and his longstanding commitment to promoting NFRC's activities and programs.

"This is an honor," Shah said in his acceptance speech. "It was always my dream to have NFRC recognized worldwide, and now it's happening."