 
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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