QAI is a NFRC recognized laboratory providing Fenestration Energy Performance Testing services to the NFRC 100, NFRC 200, NFRC 400, and NFRC 500 standards for U-Factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), Visual Transmittance (VT), Air Leakage, and Condensation Resistance performance characteristics. QAI is also an accredited testing and certification body for evaluating fenestration products to the Canadian CSA A440.2 standard which includes U-Value (thermal conductivity), Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), Visual Transmittance (VT) and the Energy Rating (ER) calculation to satisfy regulations or to meet other standards with more stringent requirements (i.e. Canadian ENERGY STAR, Green Energy Act of Ontario, BC Energy Efficiency Act, Vancouver Building By-Law, etc.).
The CSA A440.2 certification program offered by QAI allows manufacturers to apply the QAI certification mark with thermal performance ratings to the evaluated product models and involves periodic inspection of production at the manufacturing facility to facilitate ongoing conformance of labelled products with the standards. Computer software is used to create a model of the window or door with the glass options that are chosen.
For Canadian compliance, a physical test sample is not required to perform the thermal performance aspect of testing; however, a completed NAFS test report must be provided for each product type when submitting for Canadian ENERGY STAR approval (see NAFS physical testing section for more detail).
QAI also offers NFRC thermal performance testing for compliance with U.S. requirements, this includes thermal simulation, validation (hot box) testing and air leakage testing. Validation testing requires the physical testing of a sample window for each product line confirming the accuracy of the simulations.
NFRC Linear Energy Analysis For Fenestration (LEAFF) follows a procedure to capture glazing options by trendlines, allowing large catalogs of low-E combinations to be calculated and certified from their centre of glass values without direct modeling of every glass. Ask your QAI Project Manager if LEAFF modeling can reduce your cost and time over conventional modeling. QAI has several NFRC and LEAFF Certified Simulators with extensive industry experience throughout North America to support your Fenestration Energy program.
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Founded in 1995 by a group of experienced certification and testing experts, QAI is an independent third-party testing, inspection and certification organization which serves the building industry, government and individuals with cost effective solutions through our global, in-house capabilities / services.
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Dear Valued Client, Subject: Announcing the publication of the 2023 Alberta Edition
QAI Laboratories is pleased to announce the acquisition of ATRONA Test Labs,