Keynote Speaker White Praises CMA, NFRC's Educational Outreach to ICC

Don White, Plans Examiner for the City of Las Vegas and Secretary/Treasurer of the International Code Council’s (ICC) Southern Nevada Chapter delivered the keynote address during today’s opening session.

White explained that NFRC has “greatly contributed to improving awareness of the importance of commercial window certification” through its CMA program.

White commented that during the Las Vegas “Boom Period” of commercial building the city was using “tons” of glass but not getting compliance. “We were putting up many office parks, mega resorts, casinos, and high-rise condos, but none of the glass was certified,” White said.

White pointed out that one key problem facing the development of commercial building energy codes for site built projects was the lack of viable information.

He described how searching for answers resulted in the discovery of misinformation rather than the “real deal.” The ICC began to experience frustration with certifying site built projects and began to feel there was no one available to provide the expertise they needed to resolve this challenge.

Shortly afterwards, NFRC’s outreach to the building energy codes community brought White, the Southern Nevada Chapter of the ICC, and NFRC together. White says it was NFRC that finally provided the expertise he sought by providing the ICC's Southern Nevada chapter with an educational presentation on CMAST.

“NFRC understands the day in and day out problems of building energy code officials,” White said. “I’d like to see the organization continue expanding its educational outreach because there is a strong need for it – not just in Southern Nevada but all over the country.”

Following White’s presentation one member asked how NFRC could help CMAST grow. White responded by advising NFRC to continue supporting events like EduCode and to stay involved in the code development process.

White also suggested that NFRC reach out to the state energy offices, informing them about its educational programs for the officials or to support consultants who can do this on NFRC's behalf.

White believes this is critical because all the pressure to certify windows on site built projects will come from state energy offices.

“NFRC is making the world sustainable,” White said during his closing remarks. “Please keep that up.”

CEO Benney Announces BOD Election Results

The National Fenestration Rating Council's (NFRC) CEO, Jim Benney, announced the results of the Board of Directions election for the 2012 term during this afternoon's opening session.

Each of the following members has been elected to a three-year term: 

• Steve Strawn, JELD-WEN. Fenestration Industry Category (Specified). This seat is specifically for a manufacturer who sells the majority of its fenestration products or systems for use in residential construction.

• Jim Larsen, Cardinal Glass Industries. Fenestration Industry Category (Unspecified).

• Neal Humphrey. Alliance to Save Energy (ASE). General Interest Category (Specified). This seat is specifically for a not-for-profit institution of research or higher education.

• Nelson Pena. California Energy Commission (CEC). General Interest Category (Specified). This seat is specifically for a representative of a state or local government energy or building code office.

• Tony Rygg. William Rygg Consultant. General Interest Category (Unspecified)

“I have every confidence these Directors will bring the kind of innovation and creativity NFRC needs to improve its existing programs, making them even more accessible to a wider variety of stakeholders,” said NFRC’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jim Benney. “We all stand to benefit from their dedication and expertise.”

Fall Membership Meeting Underway in Atlanta

The National Fenestration Rating Council's (NFRC) fall membership meeting is underway at the Westin Buckhead in Atlanta. 

The proceedings began with the Challenge Procedure Work Group, the NFRC 712 Labeling Task Group, and the NFRC 712 PCP Task Group discussing a number of pending issues.

Be sure to check back for details throughout the day, and feel free to offer you comments on the postings. Those who are not able to attend but follow what's happening on the blog can benefit from your insight.

Fall Membership Meeting Set to Kick Off

Check back starting at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow, Monday, November 7.

We'll be bringing you live coverage of the proceedings and thoughts and insight from fenestration experts.

SBIC's Beyond Green Awards Offer Recognition for Sustainable Projects

As one of the sponsors of the Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC) the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) is proud to inform you about SBIC’s 2011 Beyond Green™ High-Performance Building Awards. This unique program recognizes buildings, initiatives and products that shape, inform, and catalyze the high-performance building market.  

The winners of the Beyond Green™ High-Performance Building Awards will be invited to present their projects on Capitol Hill as part of an educational briefing for lawmakers and the public. This presentation and poster session gives winners an opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities for delivering better buildings with policymakers.

The 2011 Award program will also feature an afternoon session held Catholic University's School of Architecture and Planning. Area students and local building practitioners will have the opportunity to understand winning projects in greater detail, and ask questions.

Winning projects will also be published on the Whole Building Design Guide Web site (www.wbdg.org). Additional recognition will include an announcement in SBIC's newsletter, a handsome plaque, posting on the Council's Web site and inclusion in SBIC technical guidelines and publications.

To learn more about the 2011 Beyond Green™ High-Performance Building Awards, please download the Call for Entries and click on the links to the left.  Visit the SBIC Web site frequently for program updates, including the jury announcement and details about the Capitol Hill briefing.  This year's deadline for entries is November 15, 2011. 

 If you have any questions about the program, please contact Kimberly Lowry by phone at (202) 628-7400, extension 200 or by email at: sbic@sbicouncil.org. 

New Fees for Membership, Participation Make Membership More Accessible, Equitable

Earlier this year, the National Fenestration Rating Council’s (NFRC) Board of Directors made a number of important changes that will impact both members and program participants in 2012. First, they have made the benefits of membership more accessible and equitable to many existing and potential members.

In 2012, all fenestration industry representatives, such as manufacturers, and all affiliated industry organization members, such as trade associations, IA’s, laboratories, and general contractors, will pay a flat fee for membership dues - $2000. In some cases, this will increase membership dues, but in the majority of cases it will reduce annual dues.

In each and every case, however, the change ensures that all members will enjoy the benefits of NFRC membership equally because all organizations, regardless of their size, invest the same amount for their “voices and votes.” It should be noted that dues for general interest members such as government agencies, building officials, design professionals, public interest groups, research/higher education institutions, and Energy Service providers remains the same -- $500.

Additionally, the Product Certification Program (PCP) fees have undergone a significant change. Licensees (fenestration manufacturers) currently pay three different fees – participation fees, product line fees, and label fees. In 2012, licensees will be responsible for a single fee that is based upon their annual sales of fenestration products.

This new fee schedule will make payment easier for NFRC’s licensees. The NFRC office is busy mailing requests for information to all our program participants to determine invoicing for 2012, so please look for that information.

Click here for additional details.

Finally, NFRC realizes this is a considerable change, and we anticipate you will have questions or require clarification about this exciting stage in our progress.

Please contact NFRC's Membership Manager, Anita Marsh, at 240-821-9508 or NFRC's Product Certification Program Associate, Toni Stroud, at 240-821-9511.

Move More Fenestration Products with NFRC's Retailer Program

The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) is pleased to offer retailers a unique opportunity to educate consumers and sell more products.

NFRC works diligently to create stronger relationships with its many stakeholders. One of its primary initiatives is developing educational and marketing efforts that empower consumers. One such initiative is NFRC’s Retailer Program.

This program provides retailers with free fact sheets that explain how to understand the NFRC label. They are designed to educate consumers at the point-of-purchase, empowering them to make the best purchasing decision for themselves – on the spot.

Today’s consumers are overwhelmed by the vast number of product choices and the bold claims manufacturers make about how their windows perform. They want and need a credible method for accurately comparing the energy performance of different fenestration products and making purchasing decisions. NFRC’s Retailer Program is the solution.

What’s in it for me?

NFRC is seeking assistance from its members in placing these fact sheets in various retail locations. As suppliers, you already have relationships in place and clout with your contacts. Asking them to carry the Retailer Program fact sheets along with your products will help educate consumers, spread the word about the importance of third-party certification, and help you sell more fenestration products. Best of all there is no cost whatsoever to you or the retailer.

Think about your Customers’ Perspective

Your customers are facing the prospect of parting with their hard-earned money and they are asking themselves questions: “How do I know if I’m making the right choice?” “Will these windows really perform as advertised?” “What do the numbers on the NFRC label mean?”

By providing you with the information you need to answer these questions, NFRC’s Retailer Program fact sheets also enable you to build trust, develop rapport, and earn the confidence of your customers.

Get Involved

We already have more than 20 retailers across the country participating in this program and reporting good results. Please contact NFRC’s Communications and Marketing Manager, Tom Herron, at 240-821-9505 to learn more about this unique opportunity and to get involved.