Hi,
ASHRAE 90.1 mandatory provisions require amongst other things to have vestibules for all main building entrances.
In a retail project, is there a possibility to replace the vestibules by air curtains instead, since they would provide similar energy-efficient benefits, end reducing the heat transfer between the indoor and outdoor spaces? Has anyone experienced this before?
Also, for a Mall, do you think the need for vestibules is required for entrances to the Mall at roof level, where the roof has open air cafes and amenities?
Many thanks.
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Christopher Schaffner
CEO & FounderThe Green Engineer
LEEDuser Expert
963 thumbs up
June 7, 2010 - 6:02 pm
ASHRAE 90.1-2007 does not have any language addressing air curtains that I am aware of. You need to provide a vestibule.
Vestibules are required on any entrances that "separate conditioned space from the exterior". I think your roof entrances are included in that.
Jean Marais
b.i.g. Bechtold DesignBuilder Expert832 thumbs up
August 2, 2010 - 7:16 am
Let's say you have a semi-exterior building envelope, a big roof for example with open facade containing a open walk through "building entrance". Then inside (building in building style) are your shopping mall spaces all conditioned. Each mall space has doors, but these are not building entrances, since you are already inside the building.
Then you have the following:
1) Building entrances that don't seperate conditioned space from the exterior --> 5.4.3.4 no vestibule required.
2) 5.4.3.4 Exception b. Doors not intended to be used as a building entrance.
If your roof enterances enter into semi-exterior space (3.2 Definitions "building envelope: building envelope, semi-exterior") then you may find that you fall into a similar scenario as above. I think then that you do not need vestibules. This however means that you may not condition the semi-exterior mall space at all...only the shops.
Also, what I personally don't get, is that there is nothing saying that my super sealing doors aren't allowed to constantly stand open...such as in a mall scenario.
What do you think Christopher?