Using the Compliance Check button will produce an Excel file (.xlsx). This will produce a report with Area Take-offs and Thermal Properties from elements in the model.
This function is available from the Splash screen (when you launch FenestraPro for Revit and also inside the application later, on the Toolbar.
Note: This feature is suitable for Detailed models only. Element areas (walls, floors, roofs, glazing etc) are taken from Revit element data and not from the model’s Energy Surfaces eg. the full wall area is reported using the full extent of wall widths and heights (even if there are adjacent walls abutting which would reduce the heat loss area). Some compliance software may require this full area but if your final outputs are to be the heat loss area only, these totals will require adjustment.
Note: As this is currently a Beta function, please check the outputs with your model data. The values in the excel file may be edited. This may be necessary when there are several elements in the model making up one envelope type (such as exterior floors/walls). Elements with ‘Exterior’ functions set in Revit will be included but depending on settings in the model, not all elements may be correctly identified in Revit.
Due to complexities in modeling conditions, some data reported may also require manual checking or adjustment. It is advisable to check that all elements expected have been reported correctly. Model conditions which may cause reporting issues are covered below in Known Issues.
Note: How elements are joined in Revit will affect the value of areas reported. For example, by using the Geometry menu and the Wall Join tool in Revit, walls may be joined by mitering, squaring off or butt joining etc.
Users should also check that model conditions are appropriate for exporting relevant areas. For example, a roof with an overhang will have this area included, even if it does not contribute to heat loss (the entire roof area will be exported to the report). Area values may always be edited in the report and should be checked for accuracy so that relevant values are finalized.
Exterior Floors and Walls to be included in the envelope should be set to ‘Exterior’ function in Revit. This may be checked in Edit Type. Roofs are always identified as exterior function but some curtain walls may be set as either Interior or Exterior. It is recommended that these settings be checked for accuracy before exporting the report.
To export a compliance data Excel Report, pressing the Comcheck button, input a name and save the report to a location on your computer. This may be then opened by navigating to this file and clicking on it (it will not open automatically).
This file provides information on Areas for Floors, Roofs, Walls, Curtain Panels, Windows and External Doors in the building envelope.
The family and types in Revit are listed as well as U-value and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) and Visual Light Transmission (VLT).
For imperial models, Areas and U-values will be shown in imperial units. For metric models, Areas and U-values will be shown in metric units.
This information can then be used in third party tools to assist inputting values for validating compliance with Building Codes.
Summary of Conditions/Settings to note:
- Elements in Revit should have analytical properties to report. Glazed elements may be assigned glass types either in Revit or in FenestraPro. Solid elements (walls,floors,roofs) may have their structure defined using Type Properties in Revit. Layers, thickness of layers and material assignments will affect the thermal values for solid elements.
- Only elements with ‘Exterior’ function are reported (check in Revit’s Type Properties).
- Curtain Wall orientations may not be correct in Revit and may need to be verified (curtain walls may be inside out). The application will endeavor to correct this but may not always be successful.
- Skylight areas are not reliable, therefore net Roof areas may need to be verified if skylights are present.
- If the model has been modified but not saved, the export report function may not operate. Please save the model before exporting a report.
- Create Curtain Systems separately for each orientation. It is possible to create a Curtain System for multiple orientations at one time. Since this element is reported as one item, separate orientations will not report.
- Orientations on different planes will be totaled together (for example, several South orientations on different planes will report as a total sum under South (they will not report separately per plane)).
- When using the Spatial Elements method with metric models, areas may report incorrectly as the surface areas + glazed areas. This should be verified by the user. Alternatively, use the Building Elements option on the Splash Screen when launching the application. Note: Spatial Elements option is disabled in Revit Version 2021.
