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Qualicoat - The Australian Fenestration Rating Council


With the support of the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) and The Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA), and the cooperation of NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council), The Australian Fenestration Rating Council (AFRC) has been formed.

The role of the AFRC is to provide independent verification of product performance. It will develop, administer and approve the only uniform, independent, comparative rating and labelling system for the energy performance of windows, doors, skylights and attachment products. Their goal is to provide fair, accurate, and reliable energy performance ratings.

Energy efficiency provisions are now an important part of the Building Code of Australia and particular emphasis has been placed on glazing. The current edition of the BCA, in a reference to "glazing elements" requires Total U-Values and SHGC's to be assessed for the combined effect of glass and frames. The measurement of these Total U-Values and SHGC's is specified in the guidelines of the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC).

As an outcome of the BCA energy efficiency provisions calling up NFRC processes and results, the Window Industry convened a special technical advisory committee has defined and documented an agreed process for the rating of fenestration products in Australia. To allow for globalisation and to facilitate current free trade agreements, the method of acceptance and approval for international products requesting entry into the Australian market also needed addressing.

As part of the process, all of the existing NFRC procedures and protocols were reviewed and the Australian variations identified and documented. With few variations of any consequence identified, the committee proposed adopting the NFRC as the Australian methodology as it has been developing over many years, is underpinned by a wealth of expertise, and has international recognition and standing. The document of variations now constitutes the Australian Rating manual and is approved by the NFRC who have also agreed to the formation of AFRC to manage those procedures for Australia.

Who are the NFRC?
The NFRC was formed in the United States of America in response to the energy crises of the 1970s. To address concerns about energy consumption, the fenestration industry developed new energy efficient technologies: low-e coatings, low-conductance spacers, gas fills, etc.

Unfortunately, in advertising these new technologies some manufacturers made outlandish claims about the performance of their products. Consumers complained, and the federal government began to investigate allegations of unscrupulous practices in the industry.

By the late 1980s, key industry stakeholders began to realise that something had to be done to prevent widespread confusion, federal intervention, and perhaps costly litigation. In 1989, they founded the NFRC to provide independent verification of product performance.

The NFRC is a non-profit organisation in the United States that administers the only uniform, independent rating and labelling system for the energy performance of windows, doors, skylights, and attachment products. Their objective is to provide fair, accurate, and reliable energy performance ratings so that:

  • Architects, builders, code officials, contractors, homeowners, and others can compare different products and make informed product choices.
  • Building officials, state government employees, and others in code development and enforcement can determine if products meet local codes.
  • Government and utility-run energy efficiency programs can establish performance requirements and standards.
  • Manufacturers have a fair and level playing field to compare products and an accurate method of showing the energy benefits of new designs or technology.

The NFRC is expanding its reach and growing fast. Over the past several years, membership has more than doubled; while participation in NFRC's rating and labelling system has almost tripled. The council has extended its reach to international membership that includes Britain (BFRC), Canada and Australia. Discussions are also underway with China and India.

Who are the AFRC?
The Australian Fenestration Rating Council (AFRC), the Australian arm of the NFRC, is an incorporated entity, whose Board includes representatives from the AWA (Australian Window Association, the AGGA (Australian Glass and Glazing Association, IGMA (Insulating Glass Manufacturers Association, WADIC (Window and Door Industry Council), SIA (Skylight Industry Association), WFAANZ (Window Film Association of Australia and New Zealand), BPIC (Building Products Innovation Council), ABSA (Association of Building Sustainability Assessors) and the ACA (Australian Consumers Association).

The AFRC signed a Memorandum of Understanding so that the intellectual property of the NFRC can be shared with the Australian counterpart.

The role of the AFRC is to develop, administer and approve 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. The objectives of the AFRC are the same as described previously for the NFRC.

The ABCB and the DEWHA have supported the window industry throughout this development and offered their congratulations and ongoing support to the industry for implementing the initiative.

Is this consistent with the BCA provisions?
Since 2003, energy efficiency requirements have been progressively established for windows in both residential and commercial construction.

The BCA has included Performance Requirements, Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions, and Verification Methods with the objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by efficiently using energy.

The Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS) provisions specifically for windows include measures to control unwanted heat gain or loss through glazing and roof lights and measures to reduce air leakage (infiltration) around the edges of windows and doors.

The BCA DTS provisions for External Glazing states that glazing data must be determined in accordance with the guidelines of the USA based, National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). The NFRC guideline requires the reporting of a single "winter" value for the Total U-Value and a single "summer" value for the SHGC. NFRC and AFRC guidelines are identical and steps are being taken to have AFRC referenced in the BCA.



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