Evaluation of the Condensation Index Rating as Determined using the Proposed Testing Method in the NFRC 500 Draft Procedure

摘要

This paper presents a comprehensive and detailed assessment of the proposed NFRC 500 Procedure currently under development in the NFRC Technical Committee, as developed by the NFRC Condensation Subcommittee. The proposed NFRC 500 Procedure contains a new element in the evaluation of condensation, that being the utilization of computer software in analyzing and calculating the condensation index for comparative purposes. For those products that can't be simulated, a test only option is also offered. The primary focus for this paper is the analysis of the testing portion of the proposed NFRC 500 Procedure, emphasizing the testing calculations as defined in the procedure. Two NFRC annual round robins will be characterized, 1999 and 2000. The 1999 and 2000 NFRC round robin tests employed a nominal 1520 mm x 910 mm (60" x 36") non-thermal aluminum horizontal sliding window with high performance glazing. The simulated results will be used as a benchmark for the analysis of the testing data. Each round robin test specimen was tested at the NFRC-accredited Testing Laboratories. The tested fenestration thermal performance ratings (U-factors) were acquired in accordance with NFRC 100 (1997): Procedures for Determining Fenestration Product U-factors and NFRC Test Procedure for Measuring the Steady-State Thermal Transmittance of Fenestration Systems (April 1997). This paper details specific data regarding various measured and calculated performance values as required by the NFRC Procedures and Program Documents.