The following applies to Version 6.2
FenestraPro for Revit version 6.2 includes an Energy Code Lookup function where codes will be suggested based on Site Location in the Revit model.
In the USA, the appropriate ASHRAE or IECC code will be displayed in the drop-down list and may be selected for compliance checking. The Site Location will also be cross-referenced to Standard Zones which will also be used to provide suitable suggestions. Not all regions are currently supported but more Codes will be added to our database soon. Users may also create Codes for different projects with suitable values and these will also appear in the drop-down list. These Codes are saved online and can be accessed in future sessions with the application. If a site location is set which has ambiguous or no referenced Energy Code, all codes available will be displayed.
Click into the drop-down list to review and select a suggested Energy Code based on the project location in Revit. If the project location is modified in Revit (Manage menu – Location) use the Refresh Codes button to get new suggestions.
NOTE: If the site location is modified for the model in Revit, the Building Manager should always be opened again and new Solar Results calculated for this location.
Custom Codes may also be created by linking to your online Account. Use the pencil icon to link to the Codes section of your Account.
You can also access this anytime by going to your Account and clicking into the Codes section.
Click on the Create Code button and enter a name and values for element categories (Roof, Floor, Wall and Glazing). These values may be based on a suitable Energy Code for the project eg ASHRAE/IECC, UK Part L, or any Code recommended by your Regional Authorities. Maximum Glazing Percentage Allowed may also be entered.
Note: The units used are based on your User Preferences in your Account. These may be modified by going to your profile area. Units may be changed in the drop-down list.
Once the new Energy Code is saved, it will appear in the list .You may click on the code to open and edit the name or values. Click on the wheel icon to share the code with a colleague or team.
Once the Custom Code is saved online, you may return to the Revit Add-in. Use the Refresh Codes button in the Add-in to display the new Energy Code that was created. This can then be selected. The values will be displayed alongside the actual average thermal values for the element properties in the model. If elements do not meet these target values, the project values will display in red. Elements with incomplete or without thermal properties will display warning symbols.
NOTE: Users are advised to confirm the values suggested as no responsibility is taken for inappropriate code values. Custom Codes with modified or updated values may always be created by the User and imported as shown above. Currently ASHRAE 2007 -2019, IECC 2006 – 2021, Title 24 (California Standards), selected US State Energy Codes, Ireland Part L and UK Part L are included. Other regions such as Canada and Australia are to be added soon. Zone maps are used in an effort to provide the correct Code values but these may not always be precise. Please confirm that the values displayed are suitable for your project.
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The following applies to Version 6.1
Users may create their own Energy Code with appropriate values as references. Users may input values which align with appropriate Building Regulations and Codes. Properties will highlight compliance / non-compliance (in red) of Elemental Thermal Performances.
A default Building Code is provided in the drop-down list as a placeholder, but this cannot be edited and it is recommended that users create their own Codes with values to suit their project. When you create a new Code, the values from the placeholder will remain in the input boxes for editing. It is not intended that these values be used for any model without checking the applicable Code for your project. For example, Users with projects in the USA should create an Energy Code using values from Ashrae 90.1 or IECC while Users in the UK might create an Energy Code using the Approved Document UK Part L.
Information and guidance is provided in this article: https://support.fenestrapro.com/knowledgebase/6-1-1-1-building-energy-codes/
To the right of the Selected Code box are tools to allow Custom Energy Code creation. Icons allow Creation of a new Code, Editing the Code that is currently displayed in the box and to Delete the currently displayed Code.
Users may input values for each element to create settings for an Energy Code such as Ashrae 90.1, IECC or UK Part L, Title 24 for California State etc. This will then be used as a reference for the thermal values assigned to the elements in Revit (walls/floors/roofs/glazing). Codes that are created can later be edited, deleted or renamed. You may create several Codes as a list and choose from these later when working with other projects as they will be saved.
You may also input a value for Overall Performance if you wish to use this method. Some regions may accept an Overall value for the Building Envelope rather than individual elemental values. This may involve trade-offs if one element has a higher value than recommended but another may have a lower value to compensate for instance. This method is only activated if the checkbox is used, otherwise, it will not affect any results.
If you have not yet created a Building Code, you will see the icon for Create. If you have already created a Building Code, you will see icons to Create (another Code) and to Edit and Delete (the selected Code).
The current ranges used for elements in FenestraPro accept values between the values outlined below:
The maximum percentage of glazing value is 95%. Values input above this will default back to 95. This is similar to Revit which allows for a minimal framing percentage.
If you input a name for a Building Code that already exists in the list, the input box will remain with a red outline and a message will advise to input a value in that field (eg. input a unique name or a value within the expected ranges). Values that are input above or below the set ranges will default to the maximum or minimum value allowed. Users are also advised to check the list of existing Codes in Performance Manager before creating new entries as a similar one may already exist. If you input a Code with the same name as an existing entry, the new one will have numbers appended to it to distinguish it.
Note: While the Add New Code window is open, other functions are not available until this process is completed (you will not be able to click on other buttons in the application or adjust the View in Revit etc).
Information created in the Custom Codes will be saved in FenestraPro for further sessions in all model types. Codes that are created are not project-specific, so they will remain available for use with another project (Mass or Detailed).
Once you have created a Code or list of Codes, the selected Standard/Code will be used as a reference once it is displayed in the dropdown box.
If inputted values are not accepted, a message will show to prompt you to modify the inputs. This will prevent you from saving the Code until the values are corrected and within the typical ranges expected.
Note: When creating or editing a Code, if you cancel out of this window, the new entry will not be saved.
The following applies to Version 6.2
Version 6.2 has modified and improved the Code creation and displays. Suggested Codes are displayed in version 6.2 of the application based on the site location of the project in the Revit model. If available in our database, a shortlist of suggested Codes with reference thermal values for Roofs, Floors, Walls and Glazing will be displayed when you make a selection in the drop-down list. Once selected, the thermal values of the existing Revit model elements will be compared to the Code value and the compliance condition will be indicated.
Energy Codes may also be created from your Account area online. On the homepage, there is a section for Codes and you may define a name and enter values for element categories (Roof, Floor, Wall and Glazing). Once saved, this will then be sent to the Revit application and will display when the refresh button is used. You may always return to this code and edit the values or delete it if you wish. Edited values will display in the Revit Add-in once the codes refresh button is used.
