- Ensure that there are no large gaps in the building enclosure. This will prevent the Energy Analytical Model (EAM) in Revit from generating successfully.
- In Revit’s Energy Settings, the correct mode for detailed models is ‘Use Conceptual Masses and Building Elements’. FenestraPro will change the mode if it is incorrectly set and initiate the Energy Model. If ‘Use Conceptual Masses’ mode is used for detailed models, the EAM may not generate.
- Ensure that Areas and Volumes is set in the Rooms and Areas section in Revit (Architecture Menu – Rooms and Areas – Areas and Volumes Computations).
- Ensure that glazing has Thermal Properties set in Revit (Edit Type). Walls, Floors and Roofs should also have thermal properties assigned to get complete results.
- When using the Spatial Elements option for analysis, Curtain Walls should be placed centrally in Host Walls. Curtain Walls that are offset from the center-line of the wall may not be included when Surfaces are created. If using the Building Elements option, this is not an issue.
- Check that element functions are correctly set in the model. Exterior walls should have ‘Exterior’ functions in Edit Type. Interior Walls should be set to ‘Interior’ function. Walls which begin as exterior and continue internally should have a break at the boundary and the internal wall should be a separate element and classified as ‘Interior’. Curtain Walls which are used both on the exterior and interior may need to be duplicated so that a family type can be designated Interior and another as Exterior. Elements whose functions are incorrectly set may not be included by FenestraPro or included incorrectly eg. Exterior walls set as Interior function will be excluded, Interior Floors will not be listed etc.
- Avoid overlapping elements such as Walls and Floors. If you suspect that the model has multiple instances in the same location (such as mullions, curtain panels etc), it might be worth checking for warnings in Revit’s Manage Tab.
- Ensure that Wall, Floor and Roof elements are set as ‘Room Bounding’ in Revit if this is appropriate.
- Linked files should also be set as ‘Room Bounding’ eg. Interior walls or Enclosures linked into another project. The Phase for linked files should also match the Host model. Note: Elements (Walls, Glazing, Roofs and Floors) that are modeled in Linked files and are given thermal properties, may not be included since these properties are not accessible in the Host model.
- To use the Spatial Elements option (Revit 2020 and older), place Rooms or Spaces in the Revit model. Please check the Room schedule for redundant or Non-placed Rooms/Spaces that have been left over. If Rooms exist in Linked models they will need to be placed again in the Host model.
- Ensure that Upper Extents of Rooms extend to the next slab and are there are no gaps between the room height and the underside of the next slab. In this case, with Spatial Elements, Surfaces will not be created on the exterior for these areas.
- Ensure that the Room Computation Height is suitable for the project. This may be checked in an elevation or section view in Revit and selecting a Level. This may be inadvertently offset from a Level. This value will determine from where the Room Perimeter is measured.
- Avoid Room Separation lines around the perimeter of the model which may interfere with Energy Analysis. Internal Room Separation lines which define spaces are not an issue.
- To include the Shading Effect of shading devices (horizontal or vertical), use mass objects, generic shade families or FenestraPro’s own shading canopy device. Self-shading of parts of a building are also factored in when ‘Calculate Shading Factors’ is selected in the Building Manager. Surrounding objects/Neighboring Buildings are best modeled as mass objects and their shading effect may be included in the results if required.
- Stacked Walls may not be read fully (please note if your model has these type of elements). Support for more complex element types is currently in development.
- Models that have minimal content will have improved performance as FenestraPro only requires the Envelope and internal walls. Processing times will be improved if the model size is minimal. Larger complex models will produce results but may take longer since there will be more elements.
- Layers of Walls with openings in the outer leaf and glazing on the inner leaf should be modeled as one wall with the assembly built up of layers if required. Modeling Walls separately (with openings placed in the outer leaf) will interfere with Energy Analysis and correct reading of any glazing placed on the inner leaf.
- Creating openings in walls before placing glazed elements also interferes with analysis and should be avoided. Curtain Walls and Windows should be either embedded or hosted by solid walls.
