Contract Glazing Track Wraps with Energy-Related Discussion Topics

The contract-glazing tract of the Glass Association of North America's (GANA) Glass Fabrication & Glazing Conference wrapped up this morning with several discussion topics covered, including thermal performance of aluminum windows, the National Fenestration Rating Council's (NFRC) Component Modeling Approach (CMA) program, energy performance software tools and fire-rated glazing.

Mike Gainey from Azon USA began with a presentation on improving thermal performance in structural aluminum windows. He posed the question, "What does a thermal barrier do?" And he answered, "It interrupts the heat transfer from hot to cold." He talked about the energy performance levels of using thermal barrier systems and how they can help greatly reduce energy costs and usage. He explained the window systems can be made more energy efficient not only through the use of a thermal barrier as part of the aluminum frame, but also through the use of a warm-edge spacer in the insulating glass unit.

"The benefits are overall U-factor improvement," Gainey said, adding that the key goal is also to minimize condensation as much as possible.

Max Perilstein from Arch Aluminum & Glass was the next speaker. He gave an update on NFRC's CMA program development, providing a "past, present and future" look. He talked about the history behind the program's inception, explaining that in 2002 NFRC decided to looking into rating products within "untouched markets," including commercial fenestration. (CLICK HERE for related story.)

Perilstein said it's not that he's opposed to the program itself. "A whole system calculation is a great design tool," he said. "But it all goes downhill being attached to the certification and rating aspect [because of the costs involved]." He also talked much about how several individuals have been very involved in representing the unique needs of the commercial glazing industry but, "despite meetings and despite their efforts they have not made the greatest of inroads."

In addition, Perilstein talked to his audience, which consisted mainly of contract glaziers, about how they specifically would be affected by the CMA program.

"You will have to pay for performance, pay for the test labs, the certification … all of this will have to go into your bids and your quotes. You will have to supply rated materials for the jobs and you will have to pay for it," said Perilstein. "They [the NFRC] do not understand what you do already."

Perilstein said a CMA prototype will be going through testing in May and June this year, with more testing to come in October. A six-month pilot launch is planned for January 2009, with a full release scheduled for August of 2009.

In ending his presentation, Perilstein encouraged industry members to speak up and get involved. "It's been a challenge to get people to come to the meetings," he said.

Also during this morning's sessions, attendees learned about THERM and Window software programs from Patrick Musseig from Azon USA. Musseig showed how the programs can be used to find total product U-factors, determine whether a product will meet energy codes, and look at how changing out components can affect the U-factor.

Rob Hitchcock from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory followed with a discussion about COMFEN software, which is used to provide a whole building calculation. Version 1 of COMFEN, which was launched last fall, helps provide specific design guidance on commercial buildings and facades.

"The focus is on energy consumption and demand, visual and thermal comfort and CO2 emissions," said Hitchcock, explaining that the software tool is under continual development. "We're working on the second version and looking ahead to version three and beyond." He said they would be looking into ways to enhance the glazing, framing and shading selections.

During the day's final presentation, which was led by Jeff Griffith from SAFTI First, speaking on behalf of GANA's fire-rated glazing council, gave the final presentation, which covered fire-rated glazing materials. He talked about the differences in fire-protective and fire-resistive glazing, as well as different types of products that are available. He explained that fire protective products contain the flames and smoke, but do not stop radiant heat; fire-resistive products do stop heat from penetrating and moving on.

He also reminded his audience that these products are a system, so all components used need to be of the same performance level. In other words, 45-minute glass needs to be used in a 45-minute frame.

Though the contract-glazing track of the conference concluded at noon today, the fabrication portion continues though this afternoon.

Check back to USGNN.com tomorrow for more reports from the conference.

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