EPC Convention 4.08 Modelling a zone within a zone
Posted by Andrew Bairstow on 29-Mar-19 10:18 AM
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The simplification of guidance (paragraph 4.08 Issue 7 NDEPC Conventions) from the NDEPC Conventions Group has instigated a review of our guidance on this. The guidance here is intended to provide improved modelling but does not replace the guidance given previously. In general this type of building can be drawn using the 'Add Surface' tool to remove the single height block from the double height space of the warehouse. This method avoids having to draw a tall space using multiple blocks and merging the blocks using holes drawn between them. This article shows how to do this using two blocks one representing the complete building, the other representing the single height parts of the building. Note there is more information on 'Add Surface' in the online help.
3. The added surface (really a removed section) is to correspond with the geometry of the single height spaces and is best drawn with its base on the base of the complete block if the perimeter is polygonal. Click on the Add Surface tool and draw the perimeter. When complete drag upwards to set the height, entering the height manually or using increment snap. 4. The surface that has been removed needs to be replaced by a separate block. Make sure that the base is visible and Add Block Following the perimeter 5. The main geometry is now complete. 6. Referring to the two cases described in Section 4.08 of the Conventions: not accessible floor area If the floor above the office space is not accessible space then navigate to that floor element and on the construction tab (under adjacency header) select 'Exclude this surface from total zone area' (image shows DesignBuilder switched to non-learning mode). Is accessible floor area If the space above If the floor is accessible then you will need to draw virtual partitions around it's perimeter. Note that for DSM calculations you do not need to input the zone height manually, as the EnergyPlus variant of DesignBuilder (unlike SBEM) will automatically calculate the correct heat loss areas based on the geometry drawn and other relevant data inputs. | |
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