Modeling Thermal Zones

Section G3.1.1 provides guidance on creating thermal blocks (systems 1 - 4) or whole floor systems (5 - 8) for the baseline system. Table G3.1 - 7 Proposed provides guidance on creating thermal blocks in the Proposed model based on the actual design of the system zoning. You could use the auto zone function to create thermal zones in undefined tenant spaces but in most cases the thermal zones are based on the design of the system and it is not appropriate to use the auto zone function. This is also a feature in the wizard mode which cannot be used to create the final model for LEED which requires you to use the detailed mode. It is OK for your design phase modeling efforts but is not typically used once the design is completed.

Please help me understand G3.1 - 7. In my baseline I have three rooms for a single zone system #3 per G3.1.1B. My proposed I have the same three rooms each their own zone on a bypass VAV system. Do I need to revise my baseline to have a separate unit for each room to have the same thermal zones as the proposed model? I don't meet the exception as stated in G3.1 - 7.

G3.1.1 requires each thermal block to be modeled with its own HVAC system. Basically you match the Proposed thermal blocks. A thermal block is a collection of zones with similar thermal properties grouped together for simulation purposes. If the proposed systems are considered a thermal block then just match that block in the baseline.