CMA Ballots Move Forward for Board Approval During Today's NFRC Meetings

The Component Modeling Approach (CMA) subcommittee met this morning as part of day three of the National Fenestration Rating Council's (NFRC) summer meeting in Chicago. Two task group reports were presented and four ballots were discussed.

Mike Thoman from Architectural Testing Inc. reported on the validation testing task group. The group had met Monday this week to review preliminary language. Thoman said he expects to have that language out for input from members in the next couple of weeks and a ballot by the fall meeting. (CLICK HERE for related story.)

More than 100 people are in Chicago for NFRC's Summer Meeting at the Conrad Hotel.

Charlie Curcija from Carli Inc. next reported on the work of the non-standard products task group. The task group has conducted a research project to determine whether non-standard products-those not a part of the original CMA development, such as sloped and structural glazing-can be included in CMA. Curcija said the task group's simulation research has determined that these products can be included. Some members however were not in complete agreement.

Thoman pointed out that the CMA language must explain exactly how the products fit in.

"We need to spell that out in the document or reference the software," said Thoman, who explained that for these products the language has not yet been covered in the technical documents.

Greg Carney, technical director for the Glass Association of North America, said that when it comes to commercial construction anything beyond basic storefront and curtainwall products is completely custom and non-standard. He stressed the importance of ensuring that the CMA will be able to handle the diversity of these products.

"You have to look at the custom side [of commercial glazing] and that's a continuous process," said Carney.

According to Curcija, CMA is able to handle these non-standard products.

There was also discussion over four ballots. Regarding the frame values - NFRC 100 ballot, a motion was made and seconded to remove generic values. This ballot is moving forward to the board for further direction.

"Generic values take NFRC in a direction that reduces credibility," said Jeff Baker of WESTLab.

The frame grouping ballot, frame values - NFRC 200 ballot and spacer grouping rules ballot were also reviewed and moved forward to committee. The technical committee voted to move the ballots forward to the board based on subcommittee recommendations.

The CMA will be further discussed this afternoon during the Ratings Committee meeting.

Stay tuned to USGNN.com™ for further updates.

Need more info and analysis about the issues?
CLICK HERE to subscribe to USGlass magazine.