A tutorial on submitting thermophysical properties for inclusion in NFRC 101 can be viewed here.

The thermophysical properties of materials used in NFRC rating procedures are obtained either from appendices A and B in NFRC 101, or by physical measurements for inclusion in appendix C. Appendix C inclusion requires a peer review process as defined in the NFRC 101. Once the properties are reviewed successfully, they are placed in NFRC 101 appendix C in and can be used by the submitter or by a party authorized by the submitter.

Three types of thermophysical properties can be obtained using this process;

1. Thermal conductivity,
2. Long-wave emissivity of opaque materials, and
3. Solar absorptance of opaque materials.

Anyone wishing to submit thermophysical properties of materials for NFRC approval shall:

1. Measure a minimum of three samples of the same material using one of the standard methods listed in NFRC 101;
2. Obtain a report from the test laboratory prepared in accordance with the requirements of NFRC 101;
3. Sign the Optical and Thermophysical Property License Agreement, and submit it to NFRC along with the Thermophysical Property Submittal Form.
4. Pay an annual participation fee before publication in NFRC 101. This fee is noted in NFRC 704

Note: Emissivity, solar absorptance, and other solar-optical properties of transparent glazing materials are determined using Submit Optical Properties.

Any submitter may also request that the material be added to NFRC 101 appendix A or B, if it is a generic material. The submitter is responsible for proposing the representative generic value for such material(s) and providing sufficient references or other justification. The Thermophysical Properties Peer Review Group will then rule on the request. NFRC publishes addenda to NFRC 101 each time a new material is approved.

Laboratories approved to conduct thermophysical property testing for inclusion of material(s) in the NFRC 101 document

Submission and Peer Review

Reference Documents

• NFRC 101 Procedure for Determining Thermophysical Properties of Materials for Use in NFRC-Approved Software Programs (this link goes to the Technical Documents page that contains the current version of NFRC 101)
• To overview the entire process, click here for a flow diagram.
• 2016 ILC