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Building Template ManagerUser Guide Virtual Environment 5.9Page 1 of 24

Contents1.2.Introduction.3Building Template Manager Window .42.1.Project Template File .42.2.Template Types.52.3.Import Templates .52.3.1.Copy To Project.62.3.2.Browse Template Databases .72.4.Add Template .72.5.Remove Template .72.6.Save .72.7.OK .72.8.Cancel .73.Template Types.83.1.Room Attributes.83.1.1.Lettable Floor Area .83.1.2.Circulation Floor Area.83.2.Constructions .83.2.1.Opaque .93.2.2.Glazed .93.2.3.Apache Constructions Database.93.3.MacroFlo Opening Types .103.4.Thermal Conditions .103.4.1.Building Regulations.103.4.2.Room Conditions .113.4.3.System.123.4.4.Casual Gains. .143.4.5.Air Exchanges .173.4.6.Apache Profiles Database .193.5.Electric Lighting .203.5.1.Lighting General .203.5.2.Lighting Luminaires .213.6.Radiance Surface Properties .223.6.1.Opaque .223.6.2.Glazed .223.6.3.Radiance Surfaces Database.22Page 2 of 24

1. IntroductionThe Building Template Manager (BTM) is the room template manager for the VE programs. It allows for easy designation of common zone features andconditions when constructing a VE model.Page 3 of 24

2. Building Template Manager WindowThe Building Template Manager window can be opened by selecting Templates Building Template Manager from the VE menus. The following window willthen be displayed:2.1. Project Template FileFor each modelling project, a project specific template file is created with theextension *.mtd. This holds the template(s) used by the modelling project.Page 4 of 24

2.2. Template TypesThere are 6 template types and these are: Room Attributes – data relating to lettable area.Constructions – thermophysical properties of building elements.MacroFlo Opening Types – air flow characteristics of doors, windowsand ventilation louvres.Thermal Conditions – room heating and cooling plant, casual gains andventilation.Electric Lighting – electric lighting properties.Radiance Surface Properties – default properties/colours for radiancesurfaces.The template types are explained in more detail later in the user guide.2.3. Import TemplatesThis button produces the following window which allows the user to browse thetemplate database:Page 5 of 24

There are currently four template database files: CommercialDomesticEducationalMedicalWhen a database file is opened, the following window will appear:Note the window which appears is dependent on the template type currentlyselected. Therefore if it is a room attributes template which the user is afterthen the user must first select the Room Attributes template type. This appliesto all template types.2.3.1. Copy To ProjectUse this button to copy the selected template to the project.Page 6 of 24

2.3.2. Browse Template DatabasesPress this button to begin browsing the template databases again.2.4. Add TemplateThis button adds a template to the project model template type currently active.It is then available for editing.2.5. Remove TemplateThis button removes a template from the project model template type currentlyactive.2.6. SaveClick the save button to save any changes made in the BTM.2.7. OKClick the OK button to exit the BTM once changes have been made andsaved.2.8. CancelClick the cancel button to exit from the BTM without saving any changes.Page 7 of 24

3. Template TypesThe Building Template Manager is split up into 6 template types: Room AttributesConstructionsMacroFlo Opening TypesThermal ConditionsElectric LightingRadiance Surface PropertiesEach is described in detail below.3.1. Room AttributesThis contains data relating to lettable area.3.1.1. Lettable Floor AreaThis is the percentage of the floor area that is lettable.3.1.2. Circulation Floor AreaThis is the percentage of the floor area that is classed as circulation.3.2. ConstructionsThis section is where the opaque and glazed constructions are specified fortemplates.Page 8 of 24

3.2.1. OpaqueThis section contains drop down lists for the following which are used to select thedesired construction: RoofCeilingExternal WallInternal PartitionGround FloorDoor3.2.2. GlazedThis section contains drop down lists for the following which are used to select thedesired construction: RooflightExternal GlazingInternal Glazing3.2.3. Apache Constructions DatabasePressing this button opens up APcdb to allow for creation/removal/editing ofconstructions. See the APcdb User Guide.Page 9 of 24

3.3. MacroFlo Opening TypesThis section is where the MacroFlo opening types are assigned to templates.The opening types available are: RooflightExternal GlazingInternal GlazingDoor3.4. Thermal ConditionsThis section is where room thermal conditions are assigned to templates.There are four tabs for thermal conditions data: HeatingCoolingCasual GainsAir Exchanges3.4.1. Building RegulationsThis tab allows the template to be associated with an NCM activity template forBuilding Regulations compliance. See the Building Regulations user guides for moreinformation.Page 10 of 24

3.4.2. Room ConditionsThis tab contains controls for setting default room heating attribute data.3.4.2.1. Heating ProfileThis user can set the percentage profile group that defines the operation of the heatingsystem.Note that for heating to operate, the percentage profile must exceed 50%.In most cases, prior to creating a template, the user should define profiles using APpro.These profiles will then appear in this and any other Percentage Profile Group dialoguebox.3.4.2.2. Simulation Heating SetpointThis is the setpoint for heating control. This value must be less than or equal to theSimulation Cooling Setpoint at all times. The heating setpoint can be constant or it canfollow a timed profile which can be defined using APpro.3.4.2.3. Heating ZoneThis allows you to set a default heating zone to which spaces will be assigned for thepurposes of thermal calculations.3.4.2.4. Cooling ProfileHere you can set the percentage profile group that defines the operation of the coolingsystem.Note that for cooling to operate, the percentage profile must exceed 50%.Page 11 of 24

In most cases, prior to creating a template, the user should define profiles using APpro.These profiles will then appear in this and any other Percentage Profile Group dialoguebox.3.4.2.5. Simulation Cooling SetpointThis is the setpoint for cooling control. This value must be greater than or equal to theSimulation Heating Setpoint at all times. The cooling setpoint can be constant or it canfollow a timed profile which can be defined using APpro.3.4.2.6. Cooling ZoneThis allows you to set a default cooling zone to which spaces will be assigned for thepurposes of thermal calculations.3.4.2.7. Solar Reflected FractionThis is the fraction of solar radiation which, once transmitted by the glazing room, is then rereflected out of the window. The value of solar fraction lost depends primarily on internalsurface emissivity and room geometry. As a general rule, windows which have a high roomview factor will have higher solar re-reflected fractions. For ApacheCalc only.3.4.2.8. Furniture Mass FactorIn ApacheSim the thermal mass of the air in a room is calculated as the product of the roomvolume, the air density and the air specific heat capacity at the room conditions. See theApache User Guide for more information.3.4.3. SystemPage 12 of 24

This tab contains controls for setting default room cooling attribute data3.4.3.1. HVAC SystemThis is where the system that controls the room and supply air condition (set in ApacheSystems) is chosen for the current template. This choice dictates the efficiency and primaryenergy use of the system chosen for heating, cooling, air supply, extraction and anyauxiliary mechanical ventilation.3.4.3.2. Auxiliary SystemThis is where the system that controls the supply air condition for any auxiliary ventilation(set in Apache Systems) is chosen for the current template. This choice dictates theefficiency and primary energy use of the system chosen for heating, cooling, supplying andextracting the auxiliary system air.3.4.3.3. DHW SystemThis is where the system that controls the domestic hot water (set in Apache Systems) ischosen for the current template. This choice dictates the efficiency and primary energy useof the system chosen for heating.3.4.3.4. Heating Plant Radiant FractionThis is the fraction of radiant heat given out by the heat emitter, e.g. 0.0 for forced warm airheaters and 0.9 for high temperature radiant heaters.3.4.3.5. Simulation Heating Unit CapacityThis is used in dynamic thermal simulation only and the user can choose either unlimitedplant capacity or can set a limit.3.4.3.6. Cooling Plant Radiant FractionThe Cooling Device Radiant Fraction is the cooling that is seen as radiant energy, e.g. 0.0for an air system.3.4.3.7. Simulation Cooling Unit CapacityThis is used in dynamic thermal simulation only and the user can choose either unlimitedplant capacity or can set a limit.3.4.3.8. Minimum Percentage SaturationThis is the minimum saturation to be maintained during the hours of plant operation. If thepercentage saturation in the space falls below the value entered here during the time ofplant operation, humidification will occur to meet this set-point.3.4.3.9. Maximum Percentage SaturationThis is the maximum saturation to be maintained during the hours of plant operation. If thepercentage saturation in the space rises above the value entered here during the time ofplant operation, dehumidification will occur to meet this set-point.Page 13 of 24

3.4.3.10. System Outside Air Supply Minimum Flow RateThe supply air condition is set in the Apache Systems dialog. It is the air supply that will betempered by the system plant and the results will be seen separately form the room load.3.4.3.11. System Air Supply Variation ProfileThis is the variation profile that will be applied to the system air supply. The modulatingprofile can be set in APpro.3.4.3.12. Additional Free Cooling Flow CapacityThis indicates the maximum intake of outside air that is available for free cooling. In thecase of a naturally ventilated room, a value of 5 ach would be typical to model ventilation bywindow opening. In the case of an air conditioned room, where the outside air is brought in2via the system, it would be usual to express the value in l/(s·m ) and a value of 0.5 in2l/(s·m ) would be typical. Note that this figure represents the additional outside air intakeover and above the minimum ventilation level.3.4.4. Casual Gains.This tab is used for entering default room casual gain settings such as people(occupancy), tungsten lighting, fluorescent lighting, machinery, miscellaneous,cooking and computers. The data shown here will depend on the type of casual gaincurrently selected.Page 14 of 24

To add a casual gain click the Add/Edit button and the following window will appear:This window lists all the casual gain types that have been created for a project. Toadd a casual gain to a template, for that gain click on the cell in the column Add ToTemplate. A green tick will appear and click OK. The window will close and thecasual gain will appear in the Casual Gains tab list. More than one gain can beadded at a time by selecting the appropriate cells to display a green tick. The SelectAll and Deselect All buttons can be used to make this process easier.3.4.4.1. ReferenceThe reference name which the user can enter for a casual gain. Clicking on the columnheader will allow the column to be sorted alphabetically or reverse alphabetically.3.4.4.2. TypeThere are seven types of casual gains available for selection: Fluorescent lighting Tungsten Lighting Machinery Miscellaneous Cooking Computers PeopleClicking on the column header will allow the column to be sorted alphabetically or reversealphabetically.Page 15 of 24