New NFRC Video Shows Ease of Achieving Commercial Fenestration Energy Code Compliance

GREENBELT, MD—The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) has created a new whiteboard showing how easy it is achieve fenestration energy code compliance.

The whiteboard introduces “Joe,” an animated commercial window manufacturer who uses NFRC’s commercial ratings program overcome the challenge of proving his products meet code.

Intended to serve commercial building architects, building owners, builders, code officials, and others, the video shows the value of NFRC’s program. It also shows the benefits of its label certificate, getting commercial windows certified, and how these label certificates are the way to comply with energy code requirements to avoid default ratings.

“Though NFRC introduced a new commercial window energy rating method (component modeling approach, CMA) in 2009, it is still a new concept in the building and fenestration industries,” said Ray McGowan, NFRC’s Senior Program Manager.

McGowan added that the video, “…allows architects, builders, component manufacturers, code officials, and others who have an interest in commercial fenestration to understand the potential benefits of the CMA process quickly.”

More detailed information on the commercial window certification programs available through NFRC is available at www.nfrc.org.

NFRC has also tailored resources specifically for code officials looking to verify ratings of commercial projects: a website that provides tools for the job and a free monthly webinar that explains its commercial program and how it relates to codes.

The webinar also provides one-hour AIA credit.

Questions on the NFRC commercial programs may be directed to Ray McGowan at 240-821-9510.

About NFRC

NFRC is a non-profit organization that administers a voluntary, uniform rating, labeling, and certification system for 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.

Featured

  • Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts

    Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Project of Distinction award in the category of New Construction.

  • Photo courtesy of Kraus-Anderson

    Minnesota District Completes $49.7M Addition, Renovation Project

    St. Paul Public Schools in St. Paul, Minn., recently announced the completion of a $49.7-million addition and remodeling project at two district schools, according to a news release.

  • Florida District Completes Construction on New Leadership Institute

    Pinellas County Schools near Tampa, Fla., recently announced that construction is complete on the new Dr. Michael A. Grego Leadership Institute, according to a news release. The district partnered with Rowe Architects for the project’s design and with Skanska for construction services.

  • How a Portable Sink Helped an Art Classroom Run More Smoothly

    Classroom design decisions can have outsized effects on instructional time and safety at schools juggling mismatched infrastructure, strict budgets, and crowded schedules — particularly in the arts. Between spilled paint and dirty brushes, art classes run smoother with a sink in the studio. But many schools don’t have a sink in every art classroom.