Under the direction of the NFRC Board of Directors, the development of the new commercial program was initialed to better satisfy the needs of the industry, commercial stakeholders, and participants in the program. The new commercial processes can provide quicker product ratings and Project Certificates through the two-path options and allows more flexibility for users of the program to meet their project needs. During the implementation phase of the new commercial program, we will monitor the Site-Built and CMA programs and determine sunset dates for these programs based on these observations. Consolidating programs will eliminate the confusion that comes from having multiple rating processes.

This will depend on the requirements of the building specification and the type of build for your project(s).

• Custom Project Path: In cases where the project calls for the energy performance ratings of a product's specific one-off custom configuration, the Custom Project Path will be used. This path will require computer simulation by an NFRC LEAFF* Certified Simulator (LCS) to be performed for each Project Certificate.
• Product Directory Path: For identical builds and construction scenarios where only the glazing configurations may change, the Product Directory Path, using the Commercial Trendline Approach, will be used. In this path, the simulations and trendlines are already completed and validated, and the Licensed User will only need to provide glass and spacer inputs to generate total product ratings for the project certificate.

The Commercial Trendline Approach (CTA) is based on the LEAFF (Linear Energy Analysis for Fenestration) methodology with some differences in how the trendlines are generated. This approach greatly reduces the number of simulations to three or six points, depending on the manufacturer's needs and can result in a multitude of rating outputs with no additional simulation work. with the CTA, we are working with real options to establish trendlines and not be reliant on a generic glass set.

The Custom Project Path does not require physical validation since these are one-off projects and the project certificate cannot be reused. Also the physical validation sample may not be easily manufacturable for the custom product or fit in the test chamber.

The Product Directory Path are products that will be reused over and over again and are stock product that can be easily tested. This path follows the traditional rating scheme and requires the full process of simulation and physical testing and recertification. However, recertification has been streamlined to not require the physical testing if it can be confirmed that no product changes have been made during inspection.

No, the users of the commercial program shall be able to choose either path to obtain the project certificate.

One of the biggest advantages of the CTA is that no additional simulation work is required once the trendlines have been established, as long as the options required for the project are within the manufacturer's trendlines.

No. Regardless of the certification path chosen, every project will require a unique project certificate that indicates the specific project information (such as address and contacts).

The licensed user is authorized to generate total product ratings in the Product Directory Path. To achieve the status of licensed user, this individual will need to attend a NFRC training to fully understand the requirements for the inputs needed and how to create a project certificate. This training will be developed during the implementation stage and is expected to include training on how to:

• prepare and submit center-of-glass (COG) and spacer inputs for each product line,
• select approved product line(s) to be used in a project,
• define and submit optional alternate product sizing,
• understand the general information requirements for Project Certificate generation, and
• provide and maintain documentation for the inputs used for the project.

CMA and the new commercial program are independent programs and CMAST will not be used in connection with the new program. However, so manufacturers do not lose existing data, a conversion of CMA component data to CTA product trendlines will be allowed. It should be noted that if manufacturers choose to convert data, they will not have condensation index values unless they start the product line as new.

Since the new commercial program does not have an ACE role, the ACE will not be used. However, the new commercial program has a Licensed User role which is authorized to select product framing, glass, and spacer and will be able to generate project certificates in the Product Directory Path.

In the Product Directory Path, using the Commercial Trendline Approach, a Licensed User will have the ability to generate product ratings and project certificates for projects and in a more streamlined manner since the manufacturer has created a matrix of product options using trendlines and direct results are available with simple product selection and glass information.

Correct, frame components are not being used in this approach and products are being used, so there is no anticipated component fees.

This will be reviewed once the new program is fully implemented and sunset dates can be determined.

The CMA and site-built programs will be reviewed once the new program is implemented and, ultimately, a sunset data will be determined after careful review and consideration.  

All trendlines are considered proprietary to the manufacturer and will not be available publicly to all users. It will be up to the manufacturer what information they would like to share after the laboratory generates the trendlines. However, the "NFRC 501: User Guide to the Procedure for Determining Fenestration Product Condensation Index Rating" is available (on the Technical Documents page) to assist in understanding the CI that may be appropriate for the project location. 

No, in order to generate a project certificate a LEAFF Certified Simulator is required.

Yes, the energy codes have been reviewed and the Product Directory Path, using the Commercial Trendline Approach, complies with an accredited laboratory performing the work and the products being labeled through the label certificate.

A flow chart is available in the NFRC 715 document showing the process. Generally the process involves a request for a certificate, the LEAFF Certified simulator (LCS) simulates the project and uploads the information to the certificate generator, QA audits are performed on the LCS certificates per schedule, and the certificate is generated.

Yes, the NFRC 715 document is posted to the Program Documents page.

• Kevin Louder; Senior Manager, Commercial Program; Phone: 240-821-6538; Email: klouder@nfrc.org
• Steve Urich; Interim Senior Director of Programs; Phone: 240-821-9514; Email: surich@nfrc.org