Amendments to the 2004 version of TGD - 003 & 005

1ST Edition September 2012

Typical window opening for overheating calculations All ventilation solutions must be modelled using dynamic simulation to ensure that adequate free area of window openings is provided for airflows into and out of a classroom to reduce odours, to provide fresh air for occupants and to maintain the teaching space temperature within the annual limits for overheating in the space. The opening stroke on the window design is critical and must be fully determined, demonstrated and frozen at Stage 2A. The high level and low level measured strokes on a window elevation can be different taking into account Health and Safety issues both internally and externally in relation to how far windows can open and the level of the opening sections above ground floor. Care should be taken to ensure that proximity to the windowsill does not reduce the effectiveness of the lower free opening area. It may be possible to achieve double sided ventilation in smaller schools however this is normally not the case in multi-storey schools. Designs should be based on single sided ventilation as a first option. If double sided ventilation is proposed it should not present Health & Safety risks for cleaning and maintenance of glazing blinds etc by the provision of high level clerestorey windows. Where single sided ventilation is provided the following must be achieved. Maximum room depth shall be 7 metres from the internal face of the window wall. Where a fixed storage area is included on the full extent of the internal wall the depth of 7 metres can be measured from the external window wall to the face of this storage area. Window design must ensure that adequate natural ventilation is provided without draughts. To achieve this objective, opening sections must be provided at both high and low level with a balanced distribution along the classroom to ensure no poor air quality/hot spots in the room. When calculating the free area ventilation requirements, the actual room construction, geometry, occupancy, weather data, glazing area, orientation, internal heat gains, air tightness standard etc must be included in a full dynamic simulation using a certified simulation system to ensure that any overheating is within the limit specified above. This dynamic simulation must be completed in full no later than Stage 2a.

DoES of Education and Skills, Page 10 of 61

Planning and Building Unit