CMAST along with WINDOW 6 and THERM 6 have been approved by the NFRC Board of Directors for use in the pilot project.
This means that frame and spacer components can now begin to be uploaded into CMAST by accredited labs for approval, and CMA Label Certificates can be generated accordingly by those organizations licensed by NFRC as “ACE Organizations.”
CMAST has been transferred to a production server. The new server address is http://cmast.nfrc.org .
a) On the production server, you will find an upgrade to the CMAST client, CMAST v. 1.0.14. For current software users, you will need to uninstall any previous version of the software prior to running the upgrade.
b) There is a support desk software application also available for use by software users for submitting software problems or recommendations to the help desk: http://support.nfrc.org/
The following grandfathering protocol revision was approved by the Board of Directors last week: Product validation test reports dated between April 1, 2005 and December 31, 2010 shall be accepted for frame component validation in the CMA Program.
There will be an ACE Training Workshop held on Sunday, November 15, 2009 in San Antonio, Texas at the Sheraton Gunter Hotel, a day before the NFRC Membership meetings to be held there that week. The workshop registration form and hotel information can be found on the NFRC website at http://nfrc.org/upcomingmeeting.aspx
The next scheduled monthly CMA Pilot Program Update Webinar will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 from 1:00-3:00 PM Eastern Time. The webinar will cover recent developments in CMAST and the CMA product certification program.
If you have topics related to CMA you'd like to discuss, please submit them to Jessica Ferris, CMA Program Manager (jferris@nfrc.org). Webinar registration can be found on the following CMA page of the NFRC website: http://www.nfrc.org/CMA-Training-Page.aspx
Jen Padgett, CMA Program Coordinator, recently joined the NFRC staff and will be assisting with CMA program processing. Jen Padgett can be reached at 301-589-1776, extension 215 and her email is jpadgett@nfrc.org.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Senators Kerry and Boxer Introduce Legislation to Fight Global Climate Change, Create Jobs
Senators John Kerry and Barbara Boxer have introduced the Kerry-Boxer legislation to create clean energy jobs, reduce pollution, and protect American security by enhancing domestic energy production, and staving off global climate change.
The legislation is expected to help cut carbon pollution and stimulate the economy by creating millions of jobs in the clean energy sector.
Senator Kerry said the legislation is valuable because it puts Americans back in charge of their energy future and reinvents the way America uses energy.
Senator Boxer added that clean energy is the path to strong, stable economic growth and added that America must seize this opportunity before others move ahead. Senator Boxer added that global warming and economic recovery is our generation’s challenge.
The legislation is expected to help cut carbon pollution and stimulate the economy by creating millions of jobs in the clean energy sector.
Senator Kerry said the legislation is valuable because it puts Americans back in charge of their energy future and reinvents the way America uses energy.
Senator Boxer added that clean energy is the path to strong, stable economic growth and added that America must seize this opportunity before others move ahead. Senator Boxer added that global warming and economic recovery is our generation’s challenge.
EPA and DOE Partner to Promote ENERGY STAR
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy are coming together to improve awareness of ENERGY STAR.
This combined effort will feature expanded coverage, regular updates, revitalized efforts on product testing, and the acknowledgement of super efficient products.
A Governing Council made up of the EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation and the DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy will coordinate communication to outside stakeholders such as Congress, the Administration, and the public. The Governing Council will also hold stakeholder meetings twice annually.
Furthermore, DOE will support EPA by monitoring and verifying test procedure compliance and developing Federal test procedures and metrics.
EPA will serve as the brand manager when ENERGY STAR is applied to whole buildings. This includes marketing, outreach, monitoring and verification along with performance levels, which will be established according to established and consistent principles for the ENERGY STAR brand. DOE will support EPA in monitoring and verifying compliance.
This combined effort will feature expanded coverage, regular updates, revitalized efforts on product testing, and the acknowledgement of super efficient products.
A Governing Council made up of the EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation and the DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy will coordinate communication to outside stakeholders such as Congress, the Administration, and the public. The Governing Council will also hold stakeholder meetings twice annually.
Furthermore, DOE will support EPA by monitoring and verifying test procedure compliance and developing Federal test procedures and metrics.
EPA will serve as the brand manager when ENERGY STAR is applied to whole buildings. This includes marketing, outreach, monitoring and verification along with performance levels, which will be established according to established and consistent principles for the ENERGY STAR brand. DOE will support EPA in monitoring and verifying compliance.
Obama Administration Provides $106 Million for Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Energy Secretary Steven Chu said more than $106 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is being awarded to nine states.
The money is intended to support energy efficiency and conservation. Under the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, these states will implement programs aimed at lowering energy usage, reducing carbon pollution, and creating local green jobs.
States receiving funding today include: Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Indiana, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia.
The money is intended to support energy efficiency and conservation. Under the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, these states will implement programs aimed at lowering energy usage, reducing carbon pollution, and creating local green jobs.
States receiving funding today include: Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Indiana, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
BIM Expected to Create Change
Building Information Modeling (BIM) may bring significant changes to the glass and curtain wall industries before 2015.
BIM is a process that serves as a channel to three standout areas of the fenestration industry. These include sustainable design, lean construction, and integrated project delivery.
Contract glaziers, glazing system suppliers, and consultants will need to understand the new BIM process, its tools, and how both of these may change their businesses. It’s likely that the psychology of changing a corporate culture and the processes it uses will pose more of a challenge of implementing a new software tool.
BIM is a process that serves as a channel to three standout areas of the fenestration industry. These include sustainable design, lean construction, and integrated project delivery.
Contract glaziers, glazing system suppliers, and consultants will need to understand the new BIM process, its tools, and how both of these may change their businesses. It’s likely that the psychology of changing a corporate culture and the processes it uses will pose more of a challenge of implementing a new software tool.
President Obama Addresses Climate Change
President Obama addressed the United Nations General Assembly regarding climate change on Tuesday, September 23, 2009.
Obama thanked the leaders who participated and added that the number of people present showed the urgency of acting to reduce the threat from climate change. Obama pointed out that today's response to this challenge will be judged by by future generations and called for bold, swift action because failing to do so would expose future generations to an irreversible catastrophe.
Obama further noted that no one can escape the impact of climate changes, particularly rising sea levels, more powerful storms and floods, and more frequent drought and crop failures that threaten the prosperity, health, and safety of the entire world.
Recognizing hope in the midst of adversity, Obama said he was proud that the United States has done more to promote clean energy and reduce carbon pollution in the last eight months than at any other time in our history.
Obama thanked the leaders who participated and added that the number of people present showed the urgency of acting to reduce the threat from climate change. Obama pointed out that today's response to this challenge will be judged by by future generations and called for bold, swift action because failing to do so would expose future generations to an irreversible catastrophe.
Obama further noted that no one can escape the impact of climate changes, particularly rising sea levels, more powerful storms and floods, and more frequent drought and crop failures that threaten the prosperity, health, and safety of the entire world.
Recognizing hope in the midst of adversity, Obama said he was proud that the United States has done more to promote clean energy and reduce carbon pollution in the last eight months than at any other time in our history.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Look for the NFRC Label
Beginning October 1, 2009, either a black or red label will appear on windows, door, and skylights.
The label indicates high-efficiency fenestration products that qualify as ENERGY STAR but are less stringent than the requirements that will be implemented April 1, 2010.
Windows, doors, and skylights purchased after June 1, 2009 need to have a U-factor and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.30 or less, and the ratings must be certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council.
The label indicates high-efficiency fenestration products that qualify as ENERGY STAR but are less stringent than the requirements that will be implemented April 1, 2010.
Windows, doors, and skylights purchased after June 1, 2009 need to have a U-factor and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.30 or less, and the ratings must be certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council.
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