NFRC Seeks Industry Cooperation for Nonresidential Program Activities

• IGMA and GANA invited to participate in Board activity relating to its nonresidential program

• Offer extended as a further show of sincerity to improve relations and communications with the commercial glass industry

Silver Spring , Md. – March 2, 2006 – The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) has invited the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA) and the Glass Association of North America (GANA) to participate in Board activities relevant to its nonresidential program.

NFRC's leadership hopes this offer will help to bridge the gaps among industry stakeholders, bring the industry together, and improve communications and relations between NFRC and the commercial glass industry. NFRC further asked that IGMA and GANA reciprocate by inviting NFRC to attend their Board meetings when they discuss issues relevant to NFRC.

“While NFRC firmly believes in the Component Modeling Program and its benefits, we recognize that the fenestration industry must work together not only in this effort, but also in many others for the good of the entire fenestration industry,” said Jim Benney, NFRC's executive director. “The partisan politics and self-interests have so fragmented this industry that its capacity to promote its own interests at local, state, and federal levels has been significantly reduced. One example was its inability to increase essential funding in the Windows and Daylighting budget of at the U.S. Department of Energy.”

NFRC also intends to invite other interested organizations to work together on this effort; including public interest groups such as architects, utilities, and code officials.

NFRC recently committed to the state of California to complete its Component Modeling Program. California needs the program as a code compliance tool for its Title 24 standards. To achieve the necessary timetables, it will require considerable cooperation and effort. NFRC hopes both IGMA and GANA will join in this ground-breaking program development.

NFRC has been very successful at developing uniform, consensus energy ratings standards for windows, doors, skylights and curtain wall systems. The organization's standards are recognized in the International Energy Conservation Code and in ASHRAE. Their label is required for participation in the Energy Star Windows Program.

For more information on the nonresidential program, visit http://www.nfrc.org/subcommittees.aspx .

NFRC's Mission : NFRC develops and administers comparative energy and related rating programs that serve the public and satisfy the needs of its private sector partners by providing fair, accurate and credible, user-friendly information on fenestration product performance .”