Building energy efficiency and thermal performance standards for Australia: Part B

摘要

This report is Part B of a project to develop proposed standard to address energy efficient design of the building as applied to commercial buildings. Currently there are no Australian Standards for the determination of solar performance of windows (includes glazing and frames). The report examines existing international standards and in light of available information makes suggestions for local standards. It recommends test methods for two classifications of windows, simple, planer and homogeneous glazing systems and those that are non-planer, non-homogeneous and complex systems. At this stage there is not sufficient confidence in outlining a procedure for a national standard because there are unresolved problems with maintaining steady-state conditions for adequate duration, ascertaining adequate repeatability in results, minimizing system heat losses in comparison with heat flow through high performance test samples and maintaining acceptable error levels of reporting. It is anticipated that most of these problems will be overcome within the next 12-18 months and allow for the adoption of a full Test Method for outdoor measurement of solar performance for windows. Copies of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standards relating to transmittance and reflectance, and the draft Canadian test method for solar optical properties of simple fenestration products, are included. Figs., refs.