NFRC approves technical procedures for attachment product ratings

Greenbelt, Md.-based National Fenestration Rating Councilboard of directors has approved technical procedures for the development of U-factor, solar heat gain coefficient, and visible transmittance ratings for co-planar interior and exterior attachment products, according to a Nov. 15 release. The new procedures, approved by unanimous voice vote last week at NFRC’s Fall Membership Meeting in San Francisco, Nov. 8-11, will add co-planar attachments such as blinds and shades to the group’s existing portfolio of windows, doors, skylights, curtain walls, and window film.“Approval of technical procedures for determining ratings for attachments represents a big step toward providing consumers of those products with the fair, accurate, and credible energy performance information they need to make informed choices,” said Jim Benney, NFRC CEO, in the release.NFRC 100A explains the procedures for determining fenestration attachment product U-factor ratings, while NFRC 200A describes the procedures for determining fenestration attachment product SHGC and VT ratings. NFRC alsois working on certification and labeling procedures for attachment products. Once those procedures are approved, attachment product manufacturers will be able to rate and certify their products.NFRC has rated window film since 2008, when St. Louis-basedCPFilms became the first film manufacturer to certify a product.“I’m very pleased that the board approved the technical documents for attachment products,” said Mike Cienian, chair of the Attachments Subcommittee and vice president for quality assurance at Hunter Douglas, Poway, Calif., a member of the Window Covering Manufacturers Association, New York. “Our industry is eager to provide our customers with the kind of third-party performance information that NFRC provides, and we look forward to finalizing the certification and labeling side so we can begin certifying products.”During its fall meeting, NFRC also:? named Bipin Shah, president of WinBuild, Inc., as 2010 Member of the Year. Shah is a former NFRC staff member who is largely responsible for expanding NFRC’s reach overseas;? heard a presentation by EPAEnergy StarWindows Program Manager Doug Anderson, who laid out the schedule for establishing new program criteria; and? extended the sunset date for the use of WINDOW6/THERM6 software to July 1, 2011.