7.6 Add Curtain Wall

The Add Curtain Wall feature may be created on the Revit model directly from FenestraPro using performance criteria.

These elements can have custom dimensions but these may later be changed for other Curtain Wall types with similar properties.

The Add Curtain Wall feature only becomes available when a solid wall is selected from the Revit model or from the Façade Navigator list.

Note: If there is glazing present on this Surface already, this feature may not be available.

If several Surfaces have been selected, one Curtain Wall will be generated over all the Surfaces that are selected (if they are adjacent or stacked on top of each other) using the settings that you have input.

Surfaces that are separated, will each receive an independent Curtain Wall.

Note: At least one Curtain Panel must be loaded in the model so that it may be used when generating the Curtain Wall. If you intend to use glazed and solid panels, please set at least one panel for each with thermal properties assigned first before using this function. Only panels in the Revit model with analytical properties will appear in the dropdown list for selection.

If you have not used the Building Manager to calculate the Solar Loads, a message will prompt you to do so.  This may display after the model has been changed eg. glazing has been added or deleted.

When you select a solid wall on the model, the Add Curtain Wall button will display on the Toolbar.  This will open the dialog window for creating Curtain Walls.  There must be at least one family in the model for each of the following: a Glazed Panel, Solid Panel and Mullion.  The glazed and solid panel families must also have thermal properties.  If you have not yet assigned analytical properties to at least one curtain panel, a message will display to advise you.

This may be resolved by assigning thermal properties to existing curtain panels in the project.  You may select an element from the Properties Browser and by expanding the list, right click and use Type Properties in Revit to set Analytical Properties (only one curtain panel type in use needs to have properties assigned).  Use the Refresh button to update the Dashboard with the current model condition.

Note: It may be necessary to relaunch the application sometimes to reset the new model condition.

The Steps to creating a Curtain Wall are listed below:

• 1. 1. Choose the method for generation. Options are Percentage Glazing or Target Solar Load. Curtain Walls are created on the basis of glazed area or a Solar Load value.
     2. Input values for Opening Size  (Height and Width of the Curtain Wall)
     3. Enter the Head Height and Sill Height
     4. Select Specifications for the Glazed Panels
     5. Select Specifications for Mullions
     6. Enter values for Grid Distances if required
     7. Click on Preview Curtain Walls to generate the elements on the model

Workflow for generating Curtain WallsIn the next window, while the Curtain Walls are being previewed (but not yet created), a summary of the settings are displayed:

• 8. Panel Types for Glazed and Solid Panels may be set here as well as Mullion types that are available in Revit.
  9. If Internal Grids are to be used, details of these may be set here. Vertical and Horizontal Grid distances and any offsets may be defined.
  10. If Sill Heights or head Heights are to be aligned, this may be defined also
  11. Curtain Wall Height and Width may be defined
  12. Preview the active Curtain Wall using the changes made
  13. You may clear settings and restart if you wish
  14. Preview all Curtain Walls here
  15. Confirm and Add the Curtain wall(s) to the Revit model as defined

Surface Tabs appear at the top of this window and changes to settings here will only apply to the Surface Tab that you are currently viewing.

Once the Add Curtain Walls button is used, a message will display to remind you to use the Refresh button to update Surfaces in the list then use the Building Manager to Recalculate the results.  This is normal and you may open the Building Manager and recalculate the Solar Loads to include this new glazed area.

The properties of the glazing will be determined by the panel type selected. Whatever properties are set for this panel type in the model will be used for the new Curtain Walls.

As new glazed areas are created, new Surfaces will be assigned.

• In the Building Elements option, new Surfaces will appear under existing Facades in the list.
• If you are using the Spatial Elements option, new Facades will be created for the Curtain Walls.  You will therefore have to select these new Surfaces to view the results for the new glazing that has been generated.

Note: After you create Curtain Walls,there are 3 steps to ensure that the results update correctly:

1. 1. Click the Refresh button on the Dashboard and allow time for new Surfaces to be created for the glazing
   2. Once this is complete (you will notice new Surfaces at the end of the list in Facade Navigator) – recalculate the Solar Loads in the Building Manager.
   3. Once the Building Manager has completed, the Dashboard will Refresh to update the results.  You may then click on the New Surfaces to view the results for these areas only

Note: If you delete these Curtain Walls in Revit or Undo and then try to create more on the same Surface, it may not proceed.  This is due to changes in the model which have not been updated (a disconnect between the current model and the associated Energy Model being used).  In this case, please use Refresh to update to the current model state, then open the Curtain Wall Generation feature again.