Subcommittees and Task Groups Provide Updates During NFRC Ratings Committee Block
July 22, 2010

As part of the National Fenestration Rating Council's (NFRC) "virtual" summer meeting, the Ratings Committee met to discuss the activities of its various subcommittees and task groups.

The session began with the Component Modeling Approach (CMA) Ratings Subcommittee, lead by Sneh Kumar of Traco. NFRC staff liaison John Lewis gave an update on the CMA Naming Convention work group, which is developing naming conventions recommendations for the various components that will reside within the CMAST database. The naming conventions and guidelines will be used by NFRC-accredited simulation laboratories (ASL) that load components (THERM files) into the online CMAST database for use by CMAST general users and ACE organizations, as well as the ACE organizations that then select the components uploaded by the ASLs for use in building assemblies of components, frames, and units. Lewis said they've had several meetings and are very close to having those recommendations completed. He said they should be done in a month or so.

Ken Nittler with WESTLab next gave an update on the activities of the Recertification Task Group, which is reviewing and possibly revising language in the NFRC 705 CMA PCP regarding the current frame and spacer component certification periods and related requirements in the CMA Program.

"Last fall the NFRC board of directors asked the CMA steering committee to look at the issue of how long components stay in the database," Nittler said, explaining they want to have a system in place to address product changes as they occur. "The task group is still working on this," he added.

Regarding the CMA Program Roll-Out, Lewis said things are progressing well.

"We've done a number of training sessions including one in the Philippines," said Lewis. "The activity is encouraging and we are expecting to see continued growth."

Ballots for NFRC 700-2010 FMC (Fenestration Manufacturers Certificate) and NFRC 700-2010 TDD (Tubular Daylighting Devices) were discussed during the Labeling Subcommittee meeting, chaired by John McFee of the Window and Door Manufacturing Association. A number of negatives for both ballots were discussed and both were ultimately were sent back to task group for additional work.

The NFRC's virtual meeting concluded yesterday afternoon with its board meeting. Stay tuned to USGNN.com™ for more updates and reports.

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