W&D Weekly - March 12, 2008 | Vol 3, Num 11
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Side-Hinged Door Decision Tops Industry News at ICC Hearings

A requirement for side-hinged doors was disapproved at the recent International Code Council code development hearings...

The door is not completely closed, but a requirement for side-hinged doors to be tested and labeled as a system to AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440 was disapproved at the recent International Code Council code development hearings in Palm Springs, Calif. Julie Ruth, code consultant for the American Architectural Manufacturers Association and Window & Door columnist, provides the following summary of window and door related activities at the hearings, which concluded March 1:

Labeling of side-hinged doors
The proposal by the Window & Door Manufacturers Association (S141) would have required side-hinged doors to be tested and labeled to AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440 in the same manner as windows and sliding glass doors in both the International Residential Code (one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses) and the International Building Code (all other types of residential, and commercial buildings). The Association of Millwork Distributors opposed the requirement, arguing that it would limit consumer choices because it would prevent pre-hangers from putting together a door using components from different suppliers. AAMA had offered a modification to the proposal that would have limited its scope to doors in areas with a wind design speed greater than 110 mph and on doors that did not have a large overhang and which served habitable areas.

Unfortunately AAMA, WDMA and AMD were not able to come to agreement on the proposed modification, including possible further revisions, before the code development hearings. As a result, WDMA ended up asking for, and receiving, disapproval of its proposal at the hearings. By asking for disapproval rather than withdrawing the proposal, WDMA left the door open for this issue to be brought up again during ICC’s final action hearings, scheduled for September.

(Click here to read a related news story discussing AAMA and AMD plans to develop a compromise solution.)

Window installation
A few different proposals to change the requirements in the IRC for window installation, including adding reference to ASTM E2112 (RB172) and permitting pan flashing as a method of window flashing (RB201), were denied. A proposal to require all flexible adhered flashing membranes to comply with AAMA 711 (RB199), however, was approved.

Window opening limiting devices
During previous ICC code change cycles, a lot of controversy was generated by the introduction of a 24-inch-minimum sill height for operable windows that open more than 4 inches and which are located more than 72 inches above the exterior grade or surface below the window. The minimum sill height requirement is designed to help prevent child falls, but there are many who question its effectiveness on that front and note that it creates challenges as far as egress.

The ICC Board of Directors eventually deferred the issue to the ICC code technology committee, which had been developed specifically to address issues that had taken up a lot of time on the hearing floor. The ICC CTC submitted a proposal for this code change cycle (RB173), which added certain exceptions to the 24-inch-minimum sill height requirement. Among these was the equipping of the window with a “window opening limiting device” that initially permitted the window to open no more than 4 inches, but which, upon release, would permit the window to be opened further. The intent of this proposal was to allow these devices to be used on emergency escape and rescue openings, which are required to open to a minimum height of 24 inches and a minimum width of 20 inches under the normal operation of the window, without the use of “keys, tools or special knowledge.“ While it is hoped that this type of proposal may eventually allow the industry to provide a product without limitation on its placement in the wall, at this time there were some concerns that the requirements for these window opening limiting devices were vague, and the proposal was disapproved. A proposal by WDMA to remove the minimum sill height requirements (RB174) was also disapproved.

Size of doors
A proposal by AAMA (E37) to clarify the size of door requirements in the IRC and IBC as a minimum clear width of 32 inches was approved. Within the IRC the proposal was approved with a minimum clear opening height of 78 inches, as proposed by AAMA. Within the IBC the proposal was modified to require a minimum clear opening height of 80 inches.

Glass
The 2000 and 2003 IBC require analysis or test data from a registered design professional for framing that supports glass and deflects more than L/175 under design load, but an exemption exists for products that are labeled to AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440. A proposal to remove this exemption (S142) was disapproved during the hearings.

Energy efficiency
There were a number of proposals submitted that dealt with residential fenestration U-factors in the IRC and International Energy Conservation Code (EC14, EC 16-EC21, EC22-EC26, EC54-EC56). The net results of the code development hearings for these groups of proposals are shown in Tables 1 & 2.

Maximum U-factors for Residential Fenestration
(using prescriptive compliance methods)

Climate Zones

Approved for IRC

Approved for IECC

1

1.20 (No change)

0.65

2

0.65*

0.50

3

0.55*

0.40

4

0.40

0.35

5-8

No change

No change
Table 1—*For impact resistant fenestration complying with Section R301.2.1.2, the maximum U-factor shall be 1.20 in zone 2 and 0.70 in zone 3.

Maximum SHGCs for Residential Fenestration
(using prescriptive compliance methods)

Climate Zones

Approved for IRC*

Approved for IECC

1

0.40 (No change)

0.30

2

0.40 (No change)

0.30

3

0.40 (No change)

0.30

Table 2—Fenestration with a projection factor >0.50 shall be deemed to comply with the SHGC requirements in Climate Zones 1 through 3.

On the commercial side, a proposal to permit the use of AAMA 507 for fenestration energy rating in commercial buildings (EC4), was disapproved. Among concerns expressed by the IECC committee was the fact that the proposal allowed the glazing contractor to sign the required Certificate of Compliance, and concern that residential window manufacturers might want to use AAMA 507 instead of NFRC labeling for their products.

A WDMA proposal that would have eliminated reference to metal framing in the prescriptive table for fenestration energy performance in commercial buildings, and would have required U-factors as low as 0.35 for all windows and exterior glass doors other than entrance doors (EC113), was disapproved. Also disapproved was a proposal to remove consideration of projection factor in the determination of maximum SHGC for commercial fenestration (EC115).

Although two proposals to remove reference to ASHRAE 90.1 (EC103 & EC104) were disapproved, a proposal that limited the designer to either using the IECC in its entirety, or ASHRAE 90.1 in its entirety (EC105), was approved. The 2003 and 2006 IECC permit the designer to use the IECC for one building system, such as the exterior building envelop or the HVAC system, and ASHRAE 90.1 for another. Proposals by both AAMA and AEC (EC107 & EC108) that would have permitted calculation of the average U-factor for the exterior envelop and average SHGC for the exterior fenestration as a method of compliance with the IECC, were both also denied.

At the present time, residential energy conservation requirements are contained in both the IRC and IECC. Two proposals to remove this redundancy (RE2 & RE3) by deleting the provisions from one of the codes were both disapproved. AAMA stayed neutral on these two proposals, which sought to remove the residential energy provisions from either the IRC or IECC.

Skylight Energy Proposals
Proposals which would have restored separate values for plastic skylights in commercial construction (EC114) and required skylights in 2 percent of the roof area of certain occupancies when automatic lighting controls and other criteria were met (EC120 & EC121); and which would have permitted skylights in up to 6 percent of the roof area of certain occupancies and exempted them from the SHGC limitations of the prescriptive method, when automatic lighting controls were provided (EC122); were all disapproved. These proposals would have all made the prescriptive provisions of the IECC more conducive to manufacturers of plastic skylights.

Standards update
The update of several standards currently referenced in the IBC, IRC and IECC was approved. Among the newer editions of standards currently referenced that were accepted for the 2009 International Codes were AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440-08, NFRC 100-04, NFRC 200-04 and NFRC 400-04.

While many decisions were made in Palm Springs, none are final. Those who wish to challenge any of the decisions made during the hearings may do so by submitting a public comment to ICC by June 9. Those public comments will then be heard during ICC final action hearings in Minneapolis, Minn., September 17-23. AAMA has conducted its initial review of these results, and will be preparing public comments on some of the proposals, during the next few months.

—Julie Ruth, code consultant, American Architectural Manufacturers Association

Global Alliance Formed By Leading Window Industry Exhibitions

GlassBuild America is joining with Fensterbau/Frontale, Fenestration China and Istanbul Window to form the Global Fair
Alliance...

GlassBuild America is joining with Fensterbau/Frontale, Fenestration China and Istanbul Window to form the Global Fair Alliance. Organizers of the four trade exhibitions, each targeting the window, door and facade industries, have announced plans to sign a cooperation agreement at Fensterbau in April.

As part of the alliance, the four groups will work to coordinate marketing activities, appearing jointly under the Global Fair Alliance banner with information stands at each of the four partner exhibitions. First and foremost, the alliance will create “simple awareness,” explains Willy Viethan with the Nurnberg Messe, the organizer of Fensterbau/Frontale. By joining forces, the organizers hope to help exhibitors and visitors alike easily recognize the leading events for the window and facade industries around in Europe, America, East Asia and Eurasia.

“We’re delighted to be part of this alliance,” says Phil James, president and CEO of the National Glass Association, organizer of GlassBuild America (and publisher of Window & Door and Glass Magazine). “Exhibitors active throughout the world have long been a part of GlassBuild America. As the pace of globalization increases, we now see more North American companies looking for opportunities abroad. Working closely with organizers of these other events, we can become a stronger resource for U.S. companies looking to expand worldwide.”

“The leading players in the industry are all globally oriented. This is reflected more and more in Fensterbau/Frontale, as both the visitors as well as the exhibitor are becoming more international,” Viethan points out. “None of the organizers individually has a global reach,” he continues. A global network helps enable each group “to ensure that our customers are supported worldwide.”

From an industry perspective, Viethan also notes that the core challenges of global warming and rising energy prices are driving demand for more energy-efficient products around the world. “A number of global players have established themselves in developing this technology for windows, doors and facades ever further,” he states. “Through the global alliance, we not only link the shows, we are creating a network in which the global industry can network towards better solutions.”

Representatives from each of the exhibitor organizers will gather at Fensterbau/Frontale, scheduled to run April 2 to 5 at the Nurnberg Messe in Nuremberg, Germany. More information about the biennial event is available at its Web site, www.frontale.de.

GlassBuild America this year moves to Las Vegas, where it is scheduled for October 6-8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. More information on that event is available at www.glassbuildamerica.com or by calling 866/342-5642.

Istanbul Window, which serves Eastern Europe, as well as the Mideast, actually precedes those two events this year. Organized by Tüyap Fairs and Exhibitions Organization Inc., it is scheduled for March 13-16 at the Tüyap Fair, Convention and Congress Center in Istanbul, Turkey. More information on the annual event is available at www.istanbulwindowfair.com.

Fenestration China is scheduled this year for November 18-21 at the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing. Alternating each year between Beijing and Shanghai, the event is organized by CIEC Exhibition Company Ltd. More information is available at www.fenestration.com.cn.

TDCI and FeneTech to Integrate Their
Software Offerings

TDCI Inc. and FeneTech Inc. have formed a strategic alliance to integrate their respective software products...

TDCI Inc. and FeneTech Inc., two software providers serving the window and door industry, have formed a strategic alliance to integrate their respective products. Work between the two companies has already started, with the product configurator component of TDCI’s BuyDesign already integrated into the FeneTech’s FeneVision order entry application.

“No one understands window and door manufacturing better than FeneTech, and we’re excited about working with them to create the most advanced quote-to-delivery solution available in the fenestration industry today,” says Dan DeMuth, TDCI president. “TDCI’s BuyDesign provides window and door manufacturers with intuitive Web-based configuration and quoting tools that nicely complement our order entry, manufacturing, and customer service software,” adds Ron Crowl, FeneTech president. “Together, our solutions can have a huge positive impact on a window and door company’s business performance.”

Integration of the BuyDesign Configurator into the FeneVision order entry application enables all of BuyDesign’s advanced product configuration, visualization, and data generation capabilities within FeneVision, officials explain. It also provides a single configuration rules management environment for the combined solution. Standard links for sharing of customer, product, and order information between the two supplier’s systems are also being developed.

Using these links, the BuyDesign application for dealer or direct sales force quoting and ordering can be deployed as a Web-based online solution, or as a distributed desktop/laptop PC solution with automated synchronization via the Internet. Orders can then be passed directly into FeneVision to drive the manufacturing and shipping process. TDCI’s applications for Web site consumer interest generation and for download of configurable product catalogs for use within AutoCAD by architects and designers are also available as part of the packaged solution.

FeneTech, based in Aurora, Ohio, offers FeneVision production control and business management systems specifically developed for the window and door industry. Its manufacturer customers include Traco, Polaris Technologies, Sunrise Windows, Intigral and numerous others. TDCI ’s BuyDesign guided selling and configuration software is in use at Atrium, Kolbe & Kolbe, Quaker Windows, Therma-Tru Doors and many others, it reports.

PGT Pares Back Workforce Again

PGT Industries cut its workforce by 17 percent on March 4 as part of a companywide restructuring...

Continuing to downsize in the face of declining markets, PGT Industries cut its workforce by 17 percent on March 4 as part of a companywide restructuring. The Florida-based window manufacturer says the workforce reduction, along with other cost-cutting methods, will save the company more than $8 million annually.

"We've done everything in our power to maintain our current workforce, but for the long-term health of the company, we had to make the difficult decision to downsize our workforce," says Rod Hershberger, PGT president and CEO. "This restructuring, and the many difficult decisions that accompany it, is essential to position the company to weather what many are referring to as a perfect storm in the housing industry. By streamlining our processes and decreasing expenses, we are confident that PGT will be able to serve our employees, customers and stakeholders."

The latest downsizing means PGT has cut its workforce by 27 percent since October 2007 and by 40 percent since its September 2006 peak. The October cuts saved the company about $16 million, the company reported at the time.

In addition to the savings attributed to this reduction in workforce, the company reports is taking non-workforce related steps to cut costs and improve efficiencies.

Paragon Adds Storm Door Capabilities

Paragon Door Designs Inc. has acquired the storm door manufacturing assets of Medlin Custom Woodworking Inc. for approximately $100,000...

Paragon Door Designs Inc., a supplier of custom steel and fiberglass entry doors for the residential replacement market, has acquired the storm door manufacturing assets of Medlin Custom Woodworking Inc. for approximately $100,000. With the purchase, Paragon plans to add storm door production at its manufacturing operations in Louisville, Ky.

"Paragon continues to execute its strategic plan for growth of market share and product offerings,” says David Burks, president and CEO. Currently, Paragon markets and distributes storm doors under its brand name through agreements with various manufacturers. “This acquisition will allow Paragon to better control the product design and manufacturing processes of a significant component of Paragon's coordinated entryway systems."

More Headlines...

...

No Upswing Expected in Housing Soon
Don’t expect the declining housing market to begin the recovery process until late 2008, says the chief economist with the National Association of Home Builders... read more

Jeld-Wen Opening Sixth Showroom
A new 1,200-square-foot window and showroom is being opened by Jeld-Wen Inc. in Portland, Ore. The site, located in the U.S. Bank Tower in the heart of the downtown area, is beside the manufacturer's existing training facility, called Millwork University, where the sales associates, dealers and strategic partners receive education, information and training... read more

Aptimise Acquires PCC
Plastic Composites Co., a 50-year-old manufacturer of fiberglass composite products based in Fort Wayne, Ind., has been acquired by newly-formed Aptimise Composites LLC. Aptimise’s leadership includes numerous former executives of Therma Tru Doors... read more

AAMA Continues Side-Hinged Door Discussions with AMD
Following up the International Code Council hearings that ended March 1 (see full report), the American Architectural Manufacturers Association is continuing discussions with the Association of Millwork Distributors to develop a plan to address testing and labeling issues related to exterior side-hinged doors. The S141 proposal that would have required these types of doors to be tested and labeled according to AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S. 2/A440 was initially put forth by the Window and Door Manufacturers Association, but was voted down in hopes that the industry could work out a solution to address numerous concerns about its effects... read more

Roto Names Prysm as East Coast Rep
Window and door hardware manufacturer Roto Frank of America Inc. has named Prysm Marketing to represent its product lines on the East Coast. “Prysm’s extensive technical knowledge and experience in the window, door and insulated glass industry, combined with their reputation for excellent and personal customer service, all played a major role in our decision to have them represent us in the marketplace,” says Greg Koch, Roto Frank president and CEO... read more

...

Take Another Look - You Might See Something Different
from National Association of Realtors
Based on newspaper headlines, one would think that every housing market in the US is experiencing a major slump. In fact, this is not the case. The sharp decline in interest rates from 2000 to 2005 caused an explosion of sales and then prices in high priced markets on the East and West Coasts. The reason: low mortgage rates pushed down monthly payments which resulted in bidding wars. This boom was reeled in when affordability withered after 2005... read more

Three Easy Steps to Green Remodeling
from Nation's Building News
Incorporating green remodeling into a remodeling business is much easier than remodelers might think, in part because many remodelers already are green, according to Michael Strong, CGR, GMB, of Brothers Strong in Houston.

Recently, he offered remodelers three easy steps to make their businesses greener:... read more

Sticking It Out
Remodelers share tips on how to thrive—or simply survive—in this slow market
from RemodelingOnline
While it's true that remodeling is in better shape than the new-home market and that the slowdown has hit some areas and some companies harder than others, there's no denying that these are difficult times for remodeling contractors. The downturn knows no prejudice, either; companies of all sizes and business models, doing all types of work are affected. Even remodelers who have been around long enough to have survived difficult post-9/11 conditions in 2001 or the economic recession in the early 1990s report that they're having trouble finding work. ... read more