NFRC approves technical procedures for attachment product ratings

GREENBELT, Md. (November 15, 2010) – The NFRC Board of Directors has approved technical procedures for the development of U-factor, solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), and visible transmittance (VT) ratings for co-planar interior and exterior attachment products.

The new procedures, approved by unanimous voice vote last week at NFRC’s Fall Membership Meeting in San Francisco, will add co-planar attachments such as blinds and shades to the group’s existing portfolio of windows, doors, skylights, curtain walls, and window film.

“Approval of technical procedures for determining ratings for attachments represents a big step toward providing consumers of those products with the fair, accurate, and credible energy performance information they need to make informed choices,” said NFRC CEO Jim Benney.

NFRC 100A explains the procedures for determining fenestration attachment product U-factor ratings, while NFRC 200A describes the procedures for determining fenestration attachment product SHGC and VT ratings.

NFRC is also working on certification and labeling procedures for attachment products. Once those procedures are approved, attachment product manufacturers will be able to rate and certify their products.

NFRC has rated window film since 2008, when CPFilms became the first film manufacturer to certify a product.

“I’m very pleased that the Board approved the technical documents for attachment products,” said Mike Cienian, chair of the Attachments Subcommittee and vice president for quality assurance at HunterDouglas, a member of the Window Covering Manufacturers Association. “Our industry is eager to provide our customers with the kind of third-party performance information that NFRC provides, and we look forward to finalizing the certification and labeling side so we can begin certifying products.”

About NFRC

NFRC is a non-profit organization that administers a voluntary, uniform rating, labeling, and certification system that can be used to compare the energy performance of windows, doors, curtain walls, skylights, and other fenestration products. Its members include manufacturers, suppliers, utilities, consumer groups, representatives from the building and code industries, scientific and educational organizations, and government agencies.

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