Board of Directors Issues Guidance on Rating Attachment Products
In response to increasing interest from manufacturers, the NFRC Board of Directors recently issued guidance on the process of developing a ratings program for the energy performance of attachment products.
There are a variety of attachment products on the market today – window coverings, films, awnings, storm windows, etc. – that have an impact on energy performance. Proponents of rating attachment products say that consumers could benefit from a rating and labeling system so that they can compare energy performance.
Last fall, the Board established a new Attachment Subcommittee to oversee a series of task groups exploring the technical aspects of rating attachment products.
During NFRC’s spring meeting, the Attachment Subcommittee, led by Fred Higgins of Wayne Dalton Corporation, held an open forum during which attendees debated the benefits and challenges of creating an attachment products rating program.
Dave De Block, director of code compliance for ODL Incorporated and vice chair of the subcommittee, said that the issue is challenging because the NFRC rates complete fenestration products, but he feels that the NFRC’s mission can be adapted to include attachments.
During the forum, participants also discussed how to possibly rate attachment products – e.g., use a base case reference window to which all attachment products could be compared, or build on existing attachment product ratings – and how to make a rating program as accurate as possible.
Moving Forward
Higgins explained that he is using a consensus-driven approach for the rating development process, recognizing that some members are apprehensive about creating attachment programs.
“We have a lot of growing pains and it’s very obvious when you get into some of the task group conversations that we are still suffering from pre-conceived notions, and people are afraid that there’s going to be drastic changes that will affect how their products are perceived,” Higgins said. Ultimately, he said that the end focus should be: how does the consumer benefit?
On May 22, NFRC distributed an informational bulletin that outlined a set of guiding provisions that the Board set forth for developing ratings for attachment products, whether they are dynamic attachments or exterior and interior window coverings.
According to the document, “proposals for the rating of various attachment products are to come to the [Board of Directors] through the existing membership committees…as applicable.” The Board goes on to say that “separate ‘attachment’ subcommittees and task groups are to be formed under the full committees as necessary.”
NFRC is asking manufacturers and their respective industry groups to “provide a substantial portion of the resources needed for development of the rating programs,” as well as volunteers to lead and serve on the task groups and subcommittees.
Setting the Ground Rules
The informational bulletin notes that “[w]hile to date the Board has not taken a position that certain attachment products can or cannot be rated under the NFRC procedures, the Board retains the right to institute appropriate rules that may limit the products that NFRC would consider rating (such as where the product is mounted, the permanence, durability and operator dependence of the product).”
When it comes to rating the products, the Board agreed that NFRC should allow the flexibility to develop a suitable rating scheme that makes the most sense for any given type of attachment product. But, the Board prefers that these products be rated in conjunction with base products (those base products should be whole fenestration products). The Board also stated that if it can be demonstrated that this approach is not appropriate for an attachment product, then other rating approaches, including center of glass, may be considered.
Additionally, all NFRC labels used for attachment products must be of the approved oval shape and use “the ‘NFRC ATTACHMENT RATINGS’ logo, or something very similar.”
The Board’s decision “meets the needs of industry and the NFRC,” said De Block. “Using a cost-benefit model encourages people in the industry to join the NFRC and it encourages them to bring attachment product knowledge and rating expertise into the NFRC structure.”
Focusing on the Consumer
Although the attachment rating development process is in its early stage, De Block noted that it should progress quickly because much of the foundation has been laid by the work done to create film ratings in the past. He encourages NFRC members to follow the developments and voice opinions early in the process, so that as new methodologies develop, experienced members can help shape the methods based on what has been developed for rating fenestration products. “Our ultimate goal has to be a useful tool to the end-user,” said DeBlock.
“I am very pleased with the Board’s direction,” said Higgins. “I think that the Board realizes that there needs to be room to move forward in the future.”
Members can access the Board’s complete document online on the “Board of Director’s communications” page: http://www.nfrc.org/membersonly/NFRCBoardMeetingMinutes-FINAL.aspx It will also be included in the NFRC’s Summer Membership Meeting program booklet to assist as issues are brought to the forefront in Chicago.
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NFRC Insider | Vol. 2, Issue 3 - July 2008