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Openings are created using the Opening Drawing Draw Mode

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Selecting

You can Select an Opening either within the Visual View or the Data-Grid.

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Openings can be split using the Split & Merge Drawing Mode

Windows can be Split to model different Specifications for different portions of a Window such as Splitting a Window into it’s Fixed & Awning portions so that the Fixed & Awning Window portions can have a Fixed & Awning Type Window Specification applied to them from the Window Library.

This can also make it easier for Users, Window Manufacturers & Builders to evaluate & select the appropriate Window Suites to use for the project.

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Property

Description

Edited Within

Name

The Name of the Opening.

The Opening’s Name is numerically incremented during creation (e.g. from W01 to W02 to W03) and so it can be useful to create Openings based on their Window Schedule tag (if available) so you do not need to rename the Openings.

Opening Data-Grid Name Column

Type

The Type of the Opening: Window, Door or Permanent

Type Column

Specification

Windows & Doors only

The Specification of the Window or Door.

Window Specification

The available Window Specifications within the Opening Data-Grid Specification Column is based on the Window Library Selected Windows List.

Door Specification

There a variety of Door Specifications available within Hero including standard timber, insulated, metal & insulated metal Doors as well as two Opaque Louvres specifications.

Expand
titleNatHERS Technical Note Guidance on Window Specification

8.2 “When modelling windows or glazed doors, assessors must use either:
• The Australian Fenestration Rating Council (AFRC) custom window codes corresponding to the windows specified on the design documentation; or
• Default windows.”

8.3 “If a custom window is specified on the design documentation that is not available in the NatHERS custom window library, assessors must model:
• a default window with the specified opening type; or
• an available custom window that meets all of the following parameters:
- identical opening type (e.g. fixed, awning, casement, sliding) to the window specified on the documentation; and
- a total window system U-value equal to, or greater than, the window specified on the documentation (e.g. if the U-value of the specified custom window is 3.0, the modelled window selected could be 3.5); and
- a total window system Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) +/-5% of the window specified on the documentation.”

8.4 “When using default windows, clear glass must be used in lieu of obscure glass (for instance, in a bathroom or WC).”

8.5 “In the absence of obscure glass in the custom windows library, assessors must model either:
• The clear window from the same range of custom windows that are being used (i.e. the same supplier, same frame type and frame material); or
• A default clear window.”

Specification Column

Orientation

The Orientation of the Opening (i.e. it’s normal direction or direction it is facing)

Not Editable

ViWidthWidth

The Width of the Opening (in mm)

Visual View & Width Column

Left Offset

The Distance from the Left Edge of the Parent Wall to the Left Edge of the Opening (in mm)

Visual View & Left Offset Column (hidden by Default)

Total Height

The Total Height of the Opening (in mm). (I.e. Head Height - Sill Height)

Total Height Column

Head Height

The Head/Top Height of the Opening (in mm) above the Level’s Reference Height

Head Height Column

Sill Height

The Sill/Bottom Height of the Opening (in mm) above the Level’s Reference Height

Sill Height Column (hidden by Default)

Opening Style

Windows Only

The Opening Style of the Window (e.g. Casement, Louvre, Awning etc). Changing the Opening Style will typically update the Openable Percentage of the Window

Opening Style Column

Openable Percentage

The Percentage of the Opening’s Area that is Openable for Ventilation as per NatHERS Technical Note Guidance

Expand
titleNatHERS Technical Note Guidance on Openable %

8.6: “When using custom windows, assessors must use the manufacturer’s ventilation charts to determine the openable percentage of the window and/or door. If this information is not available, apply the provisional opening percentage in Table 5. These reflect the area of window that can open and deducts a percentage for the window frame.”

8.7 “When using default windows, assessors must apply the provisional opening percentage figures in Table 5. These reflect the area of window that can open and deducts a percentage for the window frame.”

8.8 “Assessors must use their judgement in applying opening percentages to default or custom windows that have complex opening arrangements and/or are made of different window types.”

8.9 “Assessors must adjust opening percentages to windows with restricted opening safety requirements and no complying security screen. If the restricted opening percentage is not specified on the design documentation, assessors must use the provisional opening percentage of 10% for all window types.”

Openable Column

Weatherstripped

External Windows & Doors only

Whether the Window or Door has Weatherstripping or Draught-proofing specified to signficantly reduce air-leakage.

Weatherstripped Column

Insect Screen

External Windows & Doors only

Whether the Window or Door is fitted within fixed Insect Screens.

Insect Screens within a Chenath Simulation reduce Ventilation rates through Openings but do not effect modelled Solar Heat Gains or Heat Transfer.

Insect Screen Column

Frame External Colour

External Windows & Doors only

The External Colour (and Solar Absorptance) of the Window or Door Frame

External Colour Column

Internal Shade

Windows only

The Internal Shade device for the Window as specified & noted on the Plans, and it’s effective R-Value, Solar Transmittance (ST) & Solar Absorptance (SA)

Internal Shade Column

External Shade

Windows only

The External Shade device for the Window as specified & noted on the Plans, and it’s effective Shading Coefficient (SC)

External Shade Column

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The Window Library holds the complete library of all Window Specifications available for NatHERS Simulation. The Selected Windows list within the Library is what is presented to Users within the Opening Data-Grid’s Specification column.

Info

Further Information: Window Library