Hello,
I'm evaluating the energy efficiency of a building that has almost 100% of curtainwall, however the architect says that his project has high beams height (the ones attached to the exterior envelope), and therefore, the WWR shouldn't really be almost 100% but much more less.
So my question is, for calculating the WWR (and simulate this on the energy model too), do I have to take away the area from the beams attached to the envelope?
Many thanks!
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5867 thumbs up
January 26, 2017 - 3:58 pm
If the curtainwall cover this and the glazing is opaque, like a spandrel panel, then it is a wall and not fenestration. If the glazing over this lets light in then it is window. If there is no glazing over the beam then it is a wall.
Billy Condor
Engineer2 thumbs up
January 27, 2017 - 10:13 am
Thanks for your response Marcus.
The curtainwall covers the beams, the glazing will be clear (minimum VLT 0.55) and there won't be spandrel panels. As curtainwall covers the beams, glazing doesn't permit light in in this area with beams (of course there are intermediate portions of glazing with no beams behind, where light in).
Therefore, to have it clear, I think I should deduct beams area from the whole curtainwall area, please confirm.
Thanks in advance!
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5867 thumbs up
January 27, 2017 - 12:41 pm
It is still hard to say. The way to justify this is to examine the definitions of fenestration and wall. The slab edge is clearly a wall. The beams may or may not be a wall. If that area lets light or solar radiation inside then I think it is fenestration. Look at the vertical fenestration definition and maybe you can justify it as not fenestration if the configuration is at all similar to the trombe wall mentioned. Dive into the definitions and see what you can justify.