The new Condensation Index (CI) rating per ANSI/NFRC 500 is a computer simulation procedure that uses the coldest surface temperature of the frame, sash or glass, which was developed based on Canada’s CSA A440.2/.3 physical test method.
The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) will host a webinar on how to use the tool on from 2 to 3 p.m. EST on March 16. Interested individuals can register at nfrccommunity.org.
About CI Tool
The Condensation Index replaces the NFRC Condensation Resistance rating, which was solely a comparative product rating that did not correlate to other condensation rating values within the fenestration industry, such as the CSA A440 Temperature Index (TI). CI ratings can be used to compare products and are useful for determining the best product due to regional weather variations.
The NFRC CI rating will allow the consumer, manufacturer, building owner or architect to find the fenestration product that best reduces the potential for condensation based on where in the United States or Canada the product is to be installed. Examples of picking the best product based on the region are in the NFRC 501 Users Guide via the use of a table of CI values versus dew point/relative humidity and winter design temperatures.
About the training presentation
This training presentation provides attendees with how to use the CI Temperature Reading Tool, known as the CI Tool, to grab temperatures from THERM modeling files. Without this tool, manually obtaining temperatures from THERM is very cumbersome and can lead to inaccurate CI results. The CI Tool will be required for NFRC-accredited simulation laboratories to present CI ratings for product certification.
This webinar is free for NFRC members and those affiliated with an NFRC-accredited lab (login required), and $50 for others. Please contact Jessica Finn at jfinn@nfrc.org with any questions.
The training is conducted by Dennis Anderson, NFRC senior programs manager, who developed the new rating and vetted it with NFRC membership for approval while serving as chair for the condensation task group with an accredited simulation laboratory. As NFRC’s program manager, Anderson led the effort to get the CI rating implemented.
