A Practical Guide to Delivering a High-Performance Envelope | WORKSHOP – SESSION 2B

Hosted as part of the FTI's 2020 World Congress Workshop Series, this educational workshop will provide practical guidance and hands-on exercises on how to specify fenestration systems effectively, how to manage thermal bridging on the envelope and how to assess thermal comfort next to the envelope to assess and optimize the comfort performance of your envelope design.

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Steve Fronek P.E., an expert on fenestration design from Wausau Window and Wall Systems will provide a how-to guide for specifying fenestration and meeting more stringent U-Factor requirements. He will also explain why consideration of U-Factor alone is not enough to deliver optimum performance in buildings.

Dr. Helen Sanders will explain why the edge matters – both the frame and the glass edge – as well as how the details of the insulating glass edge can impact both thermal performance and long-term durability. Attendees will understand how best to evaluate and specify the edge of insulating glass units to achieve thermal performance for the long term.

Thermal bridging also plays a major role in reducing the expected thermal performance of facade systems. Stephane Hoffmann of Morrison and Hershfield will present the key findings of the ASHRAE Research Report 1365 and how it addresses the analysis of the impact of thermal bridging. Participants will learn how 3D thermal modeling is used to calculate the effective thermal performance of facade systems using clear field U-values for assemblies and linear transmittances to account for the additional heat loss at interfaces.

Finally, we will review how to assess occupant thermal comfort using ASHRAE Standard 55 methodology, using non-uniform mean radiant temperature created near the building envelope and the impact of direct solar radiation. Participants will have the ability to use on-line software tools to evaluate and compare how fenestration performance impacts occupant comfort.

Workshop Objectives:

1. Understand how to meet more stringent fenestration U-factor requirements, how to effectively specify, and why U-factor in isolation is not sufficient to deliver a high-performance fenestration system.
2. Be able to explain why the edges of fenestration matters and know how to specify the edge of glass to ensure high thermal performance without sacrificing durability.
3. Understand the importance of thermal bridging and be able to implement strategies and tools to calculate the effective thermal performance of facade systems using clear field U-values for assemblies and linear transmittances to account for the additional heat loss at interfaces. Be aware of available tools, and know how to select project specific assemblies to develop effective thermal performance values that can be incorporated into whole building energy models to more accurately assess the impact of facade systems on whole building energy consumption. Be able to explain the concept of temperature Index and how it can be used to assess the impact of thermal bridging on condensation risk.
4. Understand how to assess thermal and visual comfort next to the building envelope, and what strategies can be implemented in order to improve thermal and visual comfort.

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