BTM User Guide Building Template Manager IES Virtual Environment Copyright 2017 Integrated Environmental Solutions Limited. All rights reserved. No part of the manual is to be copied or reproduced in any form without the express agreement of Integrated Environmental Solutions Limited.
BTM USER GUIDE... 1 1 INTRODUCTION... 3 2 BTM DIALOG... 4 2.1 PROJECT TEMPLATE FILE... 4 2.2 IMPORT TEMPLATES... 5 2.2.1 Copy To Project... 6 2.2.2 Browse Template Databases... 6 2.2.3 Add Template... 6 2.3 REMOVE TEMPLATE... 6 2.4 SAVE... 6 2.5 OK... 7 2.6 CANCEL... 7 3 TEMPLATE TYPES... 8 3.1 ROOM ATTRIBUTES... 9 3.1.1 Lettable Floor Area... 9 3.1.2 Circulation Floor Area... 9 3.2 CONSTRUCTIONS... 10 3.2.1 Apache Constructions Database... 11 3.3 MACROFLO OPENING TYPES... 11 3.3.1 MacroFlo opening types database... 11 3.4 THERMAL CONDITIONS... 12 System... 12 Space Conditions... 16 Internal Gains... 19 Air Exchanges... 22 Building Regulations... 24 3.5 LIGHTPRO (ELECTRIC LIGHTING)... 26 3.5.1 Lighting General... 26 3.5.2 Lighting Luminaires... 28 3.6 RADIANCE SURFACE PROPERTIES... 29 VE 2017 Building Template Manager 2
1 Introduction The Building Template Manager (BTM) provides a means of specifying frequently used object attributes for later assignment to spaces, constructions and other objects in a Virtual Environment model. Note: Tabular Building Template Manager interface is covered in another user guide. VE 2017 Building Template Manager 3
2 BTM Dialog The Building Template Manager window can be opened by selecting Templates > Building Template Manager from the VE menu or via the toolbar button will then be displayed:. The following window The BTM initially displays System attributes of a Thermal template applicable to spaces of type Room. Other types of template may be selected from the list on the left hand side of the dialog. Thermal templates for spaces other than rooms can be selected from the tabs at the top of the dialog (Room, Void, RA Plenum, SA Plenum), and other space attributes can be accessed using the tabs above the template data. These correspond to tabs on the Space Data dialog (System, Space Conditions, Internal Gains, Air Exchanges, Building Regulations). 2.1 Project Template File For each modelling project, a project specific template file is created with the extension *.mtd. This holds the template(s) used by the modelling project. The Project Template File is created automatically for each project. VE 2017 Building Template Manager 4
2.2 Import Templates You can import templates from a central database or another project (alternatively these can be shared between projects using the Master Templates tool). Clicking the following button allows you to browse to a project template: When a template file is opened, the following dialog appears, allowing its contents to be browsed: As in the main BTM dialog, templates contained in the file are listed under the Template heading, grouped by space type (Room, Void, RA Plenum, SA Plenum), and the various subdivisions of the template data are accessed via abs on the right hand side (System, Space Conditions, Air Exchanges, Building Regulations). The drop-down HVAC methodology for imported templates, with options ApSys and ApHVAC, allows you to set the HVAC methodology for template import candidates and templates VE 2017 Building Template Manager 5
imported into the model. This setting is initialised from the HVAC methodology for imported and starter templates presented on the Templates tab of the New Project dialog. The choice of HVAC methodology specifies the framework for modelling HVAC systems. The ApSys methodology uses a parametric approach based on Apache Systems. The ApHVAC methodology uses component-based ApacheHVAC system models, and is integrated with a set of additional capabilities relating to HVAC zones, plenum spaces and advanced report formats. HVAC methodology is displayed on the System tab of the template dialog and may be edited there. It affects the display of certain methodology-dependent fields in the template data and the associated Space Data. For plenums HVAC methodology is forced to ApHVAC, and for voids it is not relevant. Rooms in projects created with VE versions preceding VE2017 will be automatically assigned the ApSys methodology. Rooms with ApSys methodology, including those originating in pre- VE2017 projects, may feature in ApacheHVAC systems, but they will not have access to the full range of features associated with the ApHVAC methodology. 2.2.1 Copy To Project Use this button to copy the selected template to the project. 2.2.2 Browse Template Databases Press this button to begin browsing the template databases again. 2.2.3 Add Template This button adds a template to the project model template type currently active. It is then available for editing. 2.3 Remove Template This button removes a template from the project model template type currently active. 2.4 Save Click the save button to save any changes made in the BTM. VE 2017 Building Template Manager 6
2.5 OK Click the OK button to exit the BTM once changes have been made and saved. 2.6 Cancel Click the cancel button to exit from the BTM without saving any changes. VE 2017 Building Template Manager 7
3 Template Types The Building Template Manager is split up into 6 template types: Room Attributes Constructions MacroFlo Opening Types Thermal Conditions Electric Lighting Radiance Surface Properties Each is described in detail below. VE 2017 Building Template Manager 8
3.1 Room Attributes This contains data relating to lettable area. 3.1.1 Lettable Floor Area This is the percentage of the floor area that is lettable. 3.1.2 Circulation Floor Area This is the percentage of the floor area that is classed as circulation. VE 2017 Building Template Manager 9
3.2 Constructions This section is where the opaque and glazed constructions are specified for templates. Note Construction Template is assigned to newly created geometry or may be assigned to a selected room but the assigned Constructions do not dynamically update if the template is edited after it has been assigned. For the majority of thermal models you need only be concerned with the following categories: Opaque Glazed Roof Rooflight Ceiling External Glazing External Wall Internal Glazing Internal Partition Ground Floor Door The others are for specific Masterplanning /LEED/EnviroImpact studies VE 2017 Building Template Manager 10
3.2.1 Apache Constructions Database Pressing this button opens up APcdb to allow for creation / removal / editing of constructions. See the APcdb User Guide. 3.3 MacroFlo Opening Types This section is where the MacroFlo opening types are assigned to templates. The opening types available are: Rooflight External Glazing Internal Glazing Door 3.3.1 MacroFlo opening types database Pressing this button opens up the MacroFlo openings type manager. VE 2017 Building Template Manager 11
3.4 Thermal Conditions Thermal Conditions template data is spread across five tabs, which correspond to the tabs in the Space Data dialog: System - HVAC systems data Space Conditions - Heating, cooling & humidity control Internal Gains - Casual gains Air Exchanges - Infiltration & ventilation Building Regulations - Room data relating to VE Compliance module System Parameters on this tab are displayed for room and plenum templates. They specify systemrelated information including room-plenum associations. System tab data for room template with ApSys methodology VE 2017 Building Template Manager 12
System tab data for room template with ApHVAC methodology System tab data for a Return Air Plenum template VE 2017 Building Template Manager 13
HVAC Parameters in this frame relate to HVAC system modelling for rooms. HVAC Methodology This parameter is displayed for room and plenum templates. The methodology to be applied to the modelling of the HVAC system serving the space. The options are ApSys (Apache Systems) and ApHVAC (ApacheHVAC). For plenums HVAC Methodology is forced to ApHVAC, and for voids is it is not relevant. HVAC methodology specifies the framework for modelling the HVAC system. The ApSys methodology uses a parametric approach based on Apache Systems. The ApHVAC methodology uses component-based ApacheHVAC system models, and is integrated with a set of additional capabilities relating to HVAC zones, plenum spaces and advanced report formats. The ApSys methodology was applied universally in VE versions prior to VE2017. Rooms with ApSys methodology may feature in ApacheHVAC systems, but they will not have access to the full range of features associated with the ApHVAC methodology. Conditioned This parameter is displayed for ApHVAC methodology room templates. For rooms assigned the ApHVAC methodology, the type of conditioning applied to the room: Yes. Room is conditioned. No (free-floating for Room Loads). Room is not conditioned, and free-floats during Room Loads analyses. No (tempered for Room Loads). Room is not conditioned, but is tempered during Room Loads analyses (as specified on the Room Conditions tab) to emulate its expected behaviour under normal operation. Systems Parameters in this frame specify systems serving a room. They relate mainly to the ApSys methodology. In ApacheSim, the system parameters entered here will be overridden (with one exception) in any spaces that feature in an attached ApacheHVAC system. The exception is the setting Auxiliary mech. vent. system (which applies to the ApSys methodology). A space served by an ApacheHVAC system may also have one or more auxiliary ventilation air supplies defined on the Air Exchange tab, and for ApSys methodology rooms these are always associated with an Apache System. HVAC system This parameter is displayed for ApSys methodology room templates. The Apache System delivering the conditioning needs of the ApSys methodology room and its supply air. Auxiliary vent. system This parameter is displayed for ApSys methodology room templates. VE 2017 Building Template Manager 14
The Apache System used to condition and supply any auxiliary ventilation supplied to the ApSys methodology room. DHW system This parameter is displayed for all room templates (ApSys or ApHVAC methodology). The Apache Systems system delivering domestic hot water to the room. Heating Parameters in this frame are are displayed for rooms, and are used for room and system load calculations. For rooms with ApSys methodology they are also used for simulations when there is no attached ApacheHVAC system. Heating plant radiant fraction The fraction of radiant heat given out by the heat emitter, e.g. 0.0 for forced warm air heaters and 0.9 for high temperature radiant heaters. Simulation heating unit capacity This is used in dynamic thermal simulation for ApSys methodology rooms. You can either choose unlimited plant capacity or set a limit. Cooling Parameters in this frame are displayed for rooms, and are used for room and system load calculations. For rooms with ApSys methodology they are also used for simulations when there is no attached ApacheHVAC system. Cooling plant radiant fraction The fraction of cooling that is delivered as radiant energy. 0.0 for an air system. Simulation cooling unit capacity This is used in dynamic thermal simulations for ApSys methodology rooms. You can either choose unlimited plant capacity or set a limit. System outside air supply For rooms using the ApSys methodology, parameters in this frame are used for room and system load calculations. For rooms with ApHVAC methodology they are used conditionally (subject to options in the ASHRAE Loads dialog) in room and system load calculations. Minimum Flow Rate The supply air condition is set in the Apache Systems dialog. It is the air supply that will be tempered by the system plant and the results will be seen separately from the room load. Variation Profile This is the variation profile that will be applied to the system air supply. The modulating profile can be set in APpro. Free cooling flow capacity For rooms with ApSys methodology this parameter sets the maximum intake of outside air that is available for free cooling in simulations. Free cooling is under the control of the cooling VE 2017 Building Template Manager 15
variation profile. It will be supplied when the room temperature exceeds the cooling set point, provided that it is advantageous in terms of reducing room temperature or cooling demand. If mechanical cooling is also available, this will be provided in addition if free cooling is unable to maintain the room temperature at the cooling set point. If free cooling is not required the free cooling flow capacity should be set to zero. A value of 5 ach would be typical to model ventilation by window opening. In the case of an air conditioned room, where the outside air is brought in via the system, it would be usual to express the value in l/(s m 2 ) and a value of 0.5 in l/(s m 2 ) would be typical. Space Conditions This tab is displayed for rooms and plenum templates. It contains space attributes relating to space conditioning and two parameters relating to space modelling. Space Conditions tab data for a room template wth ApSys methodology (For a room template with ApHVAC methodology the Plant (auxiliary energy) frame is absent. For plenum templates only the Model settings frame is present.) Heating Parameters in this frame are displayed for room templates, and used for room and system load calculations. For rooms with ApSys methodology they are also used for simulations when there is no attached ApacheHVAC system. VE 2017 Building Template Manager 16
Operation profile The modulating profile defining heating availability. Heating is available when the profile value exceeds 50%. Profiles are defined in APpro. Setpoint The setpoint for heating control. The setpoint may be constant or governed by an absolute profile. Its value must be less than or equal to the Simulation cooling setpoint at all times. DHW Parameters in this frame specify the domestic hot water demand for rooms. Consumption pattern A setting specifying the time variation of the DHW consumption. The options are: Linked to space occupancy profile Independent profile DHW consumption The DHW consumption rate, in units depending on the Pattern of use. Cooling Parameters in this frame are displayed for room templates, and used for room and system load calculations. For rooms with ApSys methodology they are also used for simulations. Operation Profile The modulating profile defining cooling availability. Cooling is available when the profile value exceeds 50%. Profiles are defined in APpro. Setpoint The setpoint for cooling control. The setpoint may be constant or governed by an absolute profile. Its value must be greater than or equal to the Simulation heating setpoint at all times. Plant (auxiliary energy) Parameters in this frame are defined for ApSys methodology rooms. They are used to determine a component of the auxiliary energy consumption associated with the room. Plant operation A setting specifying the time variation of plant operation (and hence auxiliary energy consumption). The options are: Set to heating profile Set to cooling profile Set independently Profile schedule Only active when Plant operation is Set independently. A modulating profile. VE 2017 Building Template Manager 17
Model settings Parameters in this frame are defined for rooms and plenums. Solar reflected fraction Used for CIBSE Loads only. This is the fraction of solar radiation which, having entered the space, is then transmitted out again through glazing or holes. The value of solar fraction lost depends primarily on internal surface solar absorptance and room geometry. Rooms with a lot of glazing often have high solar reflected fractions. Furniture Mass Factor The thermal capacity of objects in the space, expressed as a multiple of the thermal capacity of the air mass. Humidity control Parameters in this frame are defined for rooms, and used for room and system load calculations. For rooms with ApSys methodology they are also used for simulations. Min. percentage saturation The minimum percentage saturation level to be maintained in the room during periods of plant operation, as specified by the Cooling profile on the Room Conditions tab. If the percentage saturation in the space falls below the value entered here during plant operation, humidification will occur to meet this limit. Setting this parameter to 0% disables humidification control. Max. percentage saturation The maximum Percentage Saturation level to be maintained during periods of plant operation, as specified by the Cooling profile on the Room Conditions tab. If the percentage saturation in the space rises above the value entered here during plant operation, dehumidification will occur to meet this limit. Setting this parameter to 100% disables dehumidification control. VE 2017 Building Template Manager 18
Internal Gains This tab is displayed for all space templates (room, void, RA plenum and SA plenum). It specifies internal gains to the space (sometimes called casual gains). The data displayed depends on the type of gain selected. Gains can be specified in watts or W/m 2. For people (occupancy), gains can be specified in watts or W/person, and the occupancy density can be specified in number of persons or m 2 /person. For lighting gains the power density can also be specified by the Installed Power density per 100lux (or per fc). Internal Gain Parameters Type There are seven types of casual gain: Fluorescent lighting, Tungsten Lighting, Machinery, Miscellaneous, Cooking, Computers, People. Clicking on the column header will allow the column to be sorted alphabetically or reverse alphabetically. VE 2017 Building Template Manager 19
Reference A verbal description of the gain. Clicking on the column header will allow the column to be sorted alphabetically or reverse alphabetically. Input mode This specifies the method by which the gain is defined. W/m 2 or W for all gains other than People which is set a W/P or W. Lighting gains have the additional option of lux. Holes and windows added on a surface will reduce the floor area to be used in a W/m 2 calculation. Using the W option can be used to bypass this procedure, specifically for high level zones where a floor may be set as 100% hole. Maximum Illuminance When lux is specified as the gain units, the maximum illuminance is specified in lux. Installed Power Density The W/m2/100lux figure used to specify a maximum sensible lighting gain and maximum power consumption in conjunction with maximum illuminance. Maximum Sensible Gain This is the value used to calculate the sensible heat gain per square metre of floor area for the casual gain type. Typical values can be found in CIBSE Guide A7. Clicking on the column header will allow the column to be sorted numerically or reverse numerically. Maximum Latent Gain This is the value used to calculate the latent heat gain per square metre of floor area for the casual gain type. Typical values can be found in CIBSE Guide A7. Clicking on the column header will allow the column to be sorted numerically or reverse numerically. Occupant Density This value is used to calculate the number of people per room. Clicking on the column header will allow the column to be sorted numerically or reverse numerically. Maximum Power Consumption This is the default peak rate of energy (or fuel) consumption of the device being described. Most casual gains (such as lights and small machines) consume energy (or fuel) as well as emitting heat. Clicking on the column header will allow the column to be sorted numerically or reverse numerically Radiant Fraction The proportion of sensible gain that is released as radiant heat (the remainder is assumed to be convective). Typical values are listed in CIBSE Guide A7. Clicking on the column header will allow the column to be sorted numerically or reverse numerically. Meter Where the gain has an associated energy consumption this parameter specifies the meter it uses. Variation Profile A profile governing the time variation of the heat gain. VE 2017 Building Template Manager 20
Dimming Profile This contains a control to set the modulating profile group reference that describes the dimming operation of the lighting gain throughout the year. Diversity Factor A multiple in the range (0,1) applied to the gain during simulations, and conditionally (depending on settings in the ASHRAE Loads dialog) during ASHRAE room and system loads analyses. Ballast/driver fraction This value is the fraction of the Maximum power consumption that that will be attributed to the ballast or LED driver for a lighting gain. The ballast or LED driver power consumption is constant irrespective of the dimming or variation profile of the lighting. The ballast or LED driver is also assumed to have the same radiant fraction as the lighting. A typical value for the ballast/driver fraction is 0.1 for fluorescent or LED lighting and 0.0 for incandescent bulbs or other light sources that do not have ballasts or LED drivers. The ballast/driver fraction parameter is ignored for compliance simulations but will be included in cooling loads runs (ASHRAE or CIBSE). Allow gain to saturate for loads analysis? When this box is ticked the maximum value of the gain will be eligible for saturation during ASHRAE room and system loads analyses. Saturation means that the maximum value of the gain is delivered whenever the value of its profile is nonzero. Saturation will be implemented for eligible gains if it is specified by the Saturate gain profiles? settings in the ASHRAE Loads dialog. VE 2017 Building Template Manager 21
Adding an Internal Gain To add a casual gain click the Add/Edit button and the following window will appear: This dialog lists all the gains that have been created in the project. To add a gain to a template, click on the appropriate cell in the Add To Template column so that a green tick appears. then click OK. The window will close and the casual gain will appear in the Casual Gains tab list. More than one gain can be added at a time by selecting the appropriate cells to display a green tick. The Select All and Deselect All buttons can be used to make this process easier. Air Exchanges This tab is displayed for all building space templates (room, void, RA plenum and SA plenum). It specifies air flows into the space. This tab specifies room air exchanges (infiltration, natural ventilation and auxiliary ventilation). VE 2017 Building Template Manager 22
All air exchanges represent air flow entering the space. The source of the air may be the external environment (optionally with a temperature offset), an adjacent space or a supply at a temperature specified by an absolute profile. Air exchanges are of three types: Infiltration, Natural Ventilation and Auxiliary Ventilation. Infiltration air exchanges are included unconditionally in ApacheSim, ASHRAE Loads and CIBSE Loads. Natural and Auxiliary Ventilation air exchanges may be switched on and off at calculation or simulation time. Auxiliary Ventilation air exchanges are intended to be used in the context of the ApSys methodology to specify minimum levels of either mechanical or natural ventilation for fresh air purposes. This type of ventilation can alternatively be specified using the System outside air supply settings on the System tab. If this convention is followed ventilation will be correctly handled in simulations for building regulation compliance. Air Exchange parameters Type The type of air exchange (Infiltration, Natural Ventilation or Auxiliary Ventilation). Reference A name attached to the air exchange. Variation Profile The profile governing the time variation of the air exchange. Units The units of an air exchange can be selected from the drop-down list. Max Flow The maximum flow rate, expressed in the specified units. Adjacent Condition This sets the adjacency (source) condition for the current air exchange type. The options are: External Air air at outside temperature. External Air + Offset Temperature air at outside temperature plus a temperature offset. Temperature From Profile a fixed temperature defined by a temperature profile. Temperature Offset The offset temperature to be used in conjunction with the outside air temperature for the associated adjacent condition. This setting is only displayed if the adjacent condition is set to External Air + Offset Temperature. Temperature Profile An absolute profile specifying the temperature of the supply air. This setting is only displayed if the adjacent condition is set to Temperature From Profile. A pull-down menu enables the required absolute profile for the ventilation air temperature to be selected. VE 2017 Building Template Manager 23
Adding an Air Exchange To add an air exchange click the Add/Edit button and the following window will appear: To add an air exchange to a template, for that air exchange click on the cell in the column Add To Template. A green tick will appear and click OK. The window will close and the air exchange will appear in the Air Exchanges tab list. More than one air exchange can be added at a time by selecting the appropriate cells to display a green tick. The Select All and Deselect All buttons can be used to make this process easier. Building Regulations This tab allows the template to be associated with an NCM activity template for UK Building Regulations compliance. Data entered here will only affect VE Compliance and other thermal modules (ApacheCalc, ApacheSim) will remain unchanged. VE 2017 Building Template Manager 24
See the VE Compliance / Building Regulations user guides for more information. Please note that this tab may not be visible as it is dependent on which building regulations are included in your license. VE 2017 Building Template Manager 25
3.5 LightPro (Electric Lighting) This section allows lighting data (mostly but not all artificial lighting) to be assigned to templates used by programs within the <VE> Lighting section: LightPro, FlucsPro, FlucsDL and IES-Radiance. 3.5.1 Lighting General 3.5.1.1 Illuminance Level This is the standard maintained illuminance to be provided on the working plane. Recommended illuminance levels are included in Part 2 of the CIBSE Interior Lighting Code. 3.5.1.2 Limiting Glare Index If you enter a value for the limiting glare index then the program will perform a glare check, provided that glare data exists for the luminaire. Recommended values for limiting glare index may be found in the CIBSE Interior Lighting Code. 3.5.1.3 Working Surface Height The working surface height is the level of the illuminated plane. 3.5.1.4 Mounting Height This is the vertical distance between a luminaire and the working plane. VE 2017 Building Template Manager 26
3.5.1.5 Luminaire Maintenance Factor (LMF) The lumen output from a luminaire decreases with time because of dirt deposition on and in the luminaire. The luminaire maintenance factor quantifies this decline, being a proportion of the initial light output from the luminaire that occurs after a set time, allowance having been made for the decline in light output from the lamp. 3.5.1.6 Room Surface Maintenance Factor (RSMF) The room surface maintenance factor is the proportion of the illuminance provided by the lighting installation in a room, after a set time, compared with that which occurred when the room was clean. Allowance is made for the depreciation in lumen output of lamps and the effect of dirt deposition on the luminaires. 3.5.1.7 Lamp-Lumen Maintenance Factor (LLMF) This category is used to assess the depreciation in light output from the lamp over a given time. This has a two-fold functionality. Either the LLMF can be obtained from the curve using the replacement period which can be defined or by entering the LLMF itself as a value no greater than 1 by unticking the box in this section. 3.5.1.8 Lamp Survival Factor (LSF) This category is used to assess the proportion of lamps that have not failed after a set time. This has a two-fold functionality. Either the LSF can be obtained from the curve using the replacement period which can be defined or by entering the LSF itself as a value no greater than 1 by unticking the box in this section. Lamp-survival factors may be obtained from manufacturers data. Typical lamp survival factors are shown in the CIBSE Code for Interior Lighting. 3.5.1.9 False ceiling active This is used to decide whether to model an extra false ceiling in a FlucsPro/DL analysis. If you require a false ceiling to be modelled, and it is not already part of your VE model, tick this box. 3.5.1.10 False ceiling height If an extra false ceiling is to be modeled, enter its required height above the floor. 3.5.1.11 False ceiling reflectance (%) If an extra false ceiling is to be modeled, enter its required reflectance value. VE 2017 Building Template Manager 27
3.5.2 Lighting Luminaires This contains controls for setting luminaire, lamp and lamp colour combinations. The Select button opens the Light Fitting dialogue box. You can only select data which is held in the system database or has from a custom database which has had its path already defined within the lighting program which will be used. See the Lighting user guides for more information. The Light Fitting dialogue box contains three list boxes for the selection of luminaires, lamps and lamp colours: Luminaire - used to select the required luminaire. Lamp - used to select the required lamp. Lamp Colour - used to select the required lamp colour. The lists are linked so that only valid lamps are listed for the currently selected luminaire and similarly only valid lamp colours are listed for the selected lamp. After modifying the light fitting settings, click on Save to update the settings or Cancel to keep the current settings. VE 2017 Building Template Manager 28
3.6 Radiance Surface Properties This section is where the Radiance surface properties are assigned to templates. VE 2017 Building Template Manager 29