by Brianna Crandall — February 22, 2016—Of interest to facilities managers helping to oversee a new construction or renovation project, the nonprofit National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) has released a new version of its ratings tool used to determine commercial fenestration product energy performance.
The newest NFRC Component Modeling Approach (CMA) Software Tool (CMAST) and CMAST Certified Products Directory (CMAST CPD) for Non-Residential Fenestration Energy Certification and Rating, commonly known as CMAST, is said to be the fastest-performing version to date, enabling users to work more efficiently by carrying out energy performance calculations in just seconds.
The new release also stays current with the International Glazing Database (IGDB), eliminating the need for users to perform multiple updates throughout the year. Instead, NFRC’s staff manages the updates on demand.
“This is a major improvement that allows our users to get their work done more efficiently,” said Una Moneypenny, NFRC’s director of Technology Solutions Management. “Updates are now seamless and transparent — usually taking effect within a few hours.”
NFRC CEO Deb Callahan praised the accomplishment as the realization of the organization’s goal to provide commercial fenestration product manufacturers with an immediate tool while it continues exploring the evolving needs of the commercial sector.
Callahan also pointed out that developing CMAST over the past several years has given NFRC additional insight for collaborating more effectively with industry players to create a scalable tool that aligns with the direction the industry is going.
NFRC is a nonprofit 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.
