Republic of Lebanon

Ministry of Public Works and Transport

General Directorate of Urban Planning

THERMAL STANDARD
FOR BUILDINGS IN LEBANON

Copyright UNDP/GEF and MPWT/DGU 2005

Reproduction is authorized provided the source is acknowledged and provided the reproduction is
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For further information:
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General Directorate of Urban Planning, www.public-works.gov.lb
Note: The information contained within this document has been developed within a specific scope,
and may be updated in the future.

Thermal Standard for Buildings in Lebanon

:: i ::

:: PREFACE
This study has been developed in the context of Project Capacity Building for the adoption and
application of Thermal Standards for Buildings. The project was funded by the Global
Environment Facility, Managed by the United Nations Development Programme, and Executed
under the Lebanese General Directorate of Urban Planning, Ministry of Public Works and
Transport. The project falls under the Climate Change focal area and aims at the establishment
of Thermal Standards for Buildings, and at enabling their adoption and application through the
provision of capacity building and information dissemination.

:: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This study is the result of a collaborative input between national efforts and international
expertise. The project wishes to thank all individuals and institutions who supported and
contributed to this study.
Particular acknowledgements to:
The General Directorate of Urban Planning
The Lebanese Standards Institution
The Order of Engineers and Architects, Beirut
The Directorate of Meteorological Services

:: FORWARD
The requirements of the Thermal Standard for Buildings in Lebanon were established by
modeling typical representative buildings and determining cost effective building envelope
improvement levels. To determine the improvement levels, the incremental construction cost
was balanced against the savings in heating and cooling energy costs.
The proposed building envelop improvement levels were determined according to the most likely
energy price scenario, cost and inflation.
To be noted however, that this study was limited in scope. Certain building envelop parameters
could not be included in this study and as such require further investigation in the future.
These include, but are not limited to, the building thermal mass and thermal bridges.
This Standard is proposed to be voluntary until 2010 in order to allow a transitional period of
trial and adaptation. Nonetheless, it is to be noted that the new Lebanese Building Law has
already introduced incentives to encourage the improvement of the thermal performance of
building envelopes.

Thermal Standard for Buildings in Lebanon

:: ii ::

:: TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface, Acknowledgements and Forward

ii

List of Tables

iv

List of Figures

iv

List of Equations

iv

1.

PURPOSE

2.

SCOPE

2.1 Included Buildings

2.2 Exempt Buildings

3.

DEFINITIONS, ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS

4.

CLIMATIC ZONES

5.

COMPLIANCE PATHS

6.

PRESCRIPTIVE PATH

6.1 Compliance with the Thermal Transmittance using the Individual Component Approach

6.2 Compliance with the Thermal Transmittance using the Overall Envelope Approach

6.3 Compliance with the Effective Fenestration Ratio

PERFORMANCE PATH

11

7.1 General

11

7.2 Fixed Simulation Parameters

12

7.3 Compliance

13

7.

REFERENCES

Thermal Standard for Buildings in Lebanon

14

:: iii ::

:: LIST OF TABLES
Table 1

Parameter Definitions

Table 2

Reference Thermal Transmittance Values per Component

Table 3

Reference Thermal Resistance and Width of Thermal Insulation for Slab on Ground

Table 4

Architectural Shading Factor (ASF) for Unprotected Windows

Table 5

Architectural Shading Factor (ASF) for Windows Protected by Overhangs Only

Table 6

Architectural Shading Factor (ASF) for Windows Protected by Fins Only

Table 7

Architectural Shading Factor (ASF) for Windows Protected by Fins and Overhangs

Table 8

Reference Effective Fenestration Ratio (EFRref)

10

:: LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1

Climatic Zones

Figure 2

Compliance Paths

Figure 3

Projection Factor for Overhangs

Figure 4

Projection Factor for Fins

:: LIST OF EQUATIONS
Equation 1 Calculation of the U-value of a Building Component

Equation 2 Compliance of the reference U-value

Equation 3 Calculation of the Overall Envelope U-value of the Proposed Building

Equation 4 Calculation of the Overall Envelope U-value of the Reference Building

Equation 5 Compliance with the Overall Building Envelope U-value

Equation 6 Calculation of the Effective Fenestration Ratio of the Proposed Building

Equation 7 Compliance with the Effective Fenestration Ratio

10

Equation 8 Compliance with the Annual Heating and Cooling Energy Requirements

13

Thermal Standard for Buildings in Lebanon

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1 :: PURPOSE
The purpose of the Thermal Standard for Buildings is to improve the thermal performance of
building envelopes which in turn reflects on an improvement in the thermal comfort conditions
within buildings and consequently on the reduction of the energy needed for space heating and
cooling. In order to fulfill this, the Thermal Standard for Buildings addresses the following:

Sets minimum requirements for the thermal performance of building envelopes

Provides methods for determining compliance with these requirements

2 :: SCOPE
2.1

Included Buildings

The requirements of the Thermal Standard for Buildings are applicable to the following
categories of new buildings and new additions to existing buildings:
Category 1: Residential
This category covers all new buildings and parts of buildings that are destined for
residential human occupancy. This category includes, but is not limited to:
Residential buildings and complexes
Individual residences
Secondary seasonal residences and chalets
Dormitories
Etc.
Category 2: Non-Residential
This category covers all new buildings and parts of buildings that are destined for nonresidential human occupancy. This category includes, but is not limited to:
Commercial and Retail (offices, stores, shopping malls, restaurants, cinemas, etc.)
Hospitality facilities (hotels, motels, etc.)
Educational Facilities (schools, universities, etc.)
Health care facilities (hospitals, nursing homes, etc.)
Institutional facilities (government services, etc.)
Indoor Sports facilities
Etc.
2.2

Exempt Buildings

The requirements of the Thermal Standard for Buildings are not applicable to the following:

Existing buildings;
Buildings and parts of buildings that are intended for uses other than basic human
occupancy, such as manufacturing, industrial processing, storage, etc.;
Buildings and parts of buildings that require particular indoor environmental
conditions such as greenhouses, warehouses, etc.;
Religious buildings;
Etc.

Thermal Standard for Buildings in Lebanon

:: 1 ::

3 :: DEFINITIONS, ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS

The main terms, abbreviations and symbols that are used in this standard are presented and
defined in Table 1.

:: Table 1 Parameter Definitions

Parameter

Symbol

Definition

Unit

Thermal
Transmittance

Heat flow rate in steady state divided by the area

and the temperature difference between the
surroundings on each side of a system.

W/m2.K

Thermal Resistance

Reciprocal of thermal transmittance from surface

to surface of the construction component.

m2.K/W

Fenestration Ratio

FR

The ratio of total window and skylight area

(including sash and frame) to total gross exterior
wall and roof area. The gross exterior wall and
roof areas include the window and skylight areas.

---

Effective
Fenestration Ratio

EFR

The effective fenestration ratio provides a global

evaluation of the exposure of the building to
solar gain. This factor takes into consideration
the orientation of windows and skylights, the
shading coefficient of the glazing material as well
as the architectural shading factor.

Shading Coefficient

SC

The ratio of solar heat gain that will pass through

the fenestration glazing material to the solar heat
gain that will pass through an equivalent area of
unshaded clear glass. The shading coefficient can
be obtained from the manufacturers product
documentation.

Projection Factor

PF

For overhangs: External horizontal length

(extension) of overhang divided by the distance
from the bottom of the fenestration to the
bottom of the overhang.

---

For fins: External horizontal length (extension) of

fin divided by the distance from the farthest side
of the window protected by the fins to the side of
the fin nearest to the window.
Architectural
Shading Factor

ASF

The ratio of solar radiation that will reach the

fenestration taking into consideration the
shading provided by architectural features
(overhangs, lateral fins or a combination) divided
by the solar radiation that will reach an
equivalent unshaded fenestration.

Thermal Standard for Buildings in Lebanon

:: 2 ::

---

4 :: CLIMATIC ZONES
The Climatic Zones that are applicable to this Standard are presented in Figure 1. These are:
Zone 1 Coastal
Zone 2 Western Mid-mountain
Zone 3 Inland Plateau
Zone 4 High Mountain
The characteristics and altitude thresholds of the climatic zones, as well as the administrative
real-estate districts related to each climatic zone are presented in the Technical Guide for the
application of the Thermal Standard for Buildings in Lebanon.

:: Figure 1 - Climatic zoning

Thermal Standard for Buildings in Lebanon

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5 :: COMPLIANCE PATHS
The Thermal Standard for Buildings provides a choice between two compliance paths: the
Prescriptive Path and the Performance Path. The aim of having more than one compliance path
is to allow greater flexibility, whereby the user can select the compliance path that best
responds to the proposed building design.
The prescriptive path is based on the use of equations and tabulated reference values, and
involves the demonstration of compliance with two separate requirements: the thermal
transmittance value and the effective fenestration ratio. Compliance with the thermal
transmittance value can be demonstrated using one of two approaches: the individual
component approach or the overall building envelope approach.
The performance path is based on the use of an hourly energy simulation software, and involves
the demonstration that the annual heating and cooling energy requirements of the proposed
building are less than or equal to the annual heating and cooling energy requirements of a
similar hypothetical reference building which meets the prescriptive path.
The prescriptive path requires relatively less effort to demonstrate compliance but allows less
design flexibility. Where as the performance path requires relatively more effort to demonstrate
compliance but allows greater design flexibility.
The performance path may be used when innovative design concepts are being considered or
when the proposed design fails to meet the prescriptive requirements.
The prescriptive path cannot be used when the proposed building has a window to gross wall
ratio (the gross wall area is inclusive of the window area) greater than 0.30, or when the
proposed building has a skylight to gross roof ratio (the gross roof area is inclusive of the
skylight area) greater than 0.05. The performance path should be used in these cases.

:: Figure 2 - Compliance paths

Thermal Standard for Buildings in Lebanon

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6 :: PRESCRIPTIVE PATH
The prescriptive path specifies the maximum thermal transmittance levels and the maximum
exposure to solar gains.
The maximum thermal transmittance requirement can be demonstrated using one of two
approaches: the individual component approach or the overall building envelope approach. The
thermal transmittance requirement addresses the following building envelope components:
Roofs, Walls, Windows and Skylights, Floors (exposed and semi exposed), and Slabs on ground.
The maximum exposure to solar gain can be demonstrated using the effective fenestration ratio
which takes into consideration several characteristics that have an influence on solar gain.
These include window size, tilt, orientation, glass shading coefficient and architectural shading
factor.

6.1 Compliance with the Thermal Transmittance using the Individual Component
Approach
The individual component approach for thermal transmittance requires that each building
envelope component meets a maximum tabulated reference value. For Roofs, Walls, Glazing, and
Exposed and semi-exposed Floors, the requirement is expressed as a maximum U-value. For slabs
on ground, the requirement is expressed as a minimum thermal resistance and a minimum width
for an insulation layer placed on the perimeter of the slab on ground.
The individual component approach for thermal transmittance normally involves the least efforts
to achieve compliance.

6.1.1

Maximum U-value for Roof, Wall, Glazing and Floor

Compliance with this requirement can be demonstrated by first using Equation 1 to calculate
the U-value of the proposed building envelope component, and then by fulfilling equation 2
where by the maximum reference U-values for roofs, walls, glazing and exposed and semiexposed floors are presented in Table 2.
To be noted that the calculation should exclude the effects of interior and exterior air films.

Equation 1 Calculation of the U-value of a Building Component

Ui = (1/R 1 + 1/R2 ..)

Ui = thermal transmittance of the proposed building component (W/m2.K)
1/R1, 1/R2, etc. = thermal resistance of each layer of material (m2.K /W)

Equation 2 Compliance with the Reference U-value

Ui Uref
Ui = thermal transmittance of the proposed building component (W/m2.K)
Uref = maximum allowable thermal transmittance of a building component (W/m2.K)

Thermal Standard for Buildings in Lebanon

:: 5 ::

:: Table 2 - Reference Thermal Transmittance Values per Component

Maximum U-value1 (W/m2.K)

Building
Category

Roof

Wall

Vertical
Glazing2

Skylight2

Exposed
Floor3

SemiExposed
Floor4

Zone 1:
Coastal

0.57

2.10

6.2

4.3

2.60

2.60

0.57

2.10

6.2

4.3

2.60

2.60

Zone 2:
Western
Mid-mountain
Zone 3:
Inland Plateau

0.57

0.77

4.3

4.3

0.76

1.35

0.57

0.77

4.3

4.3

0.76

1.35

0.57

0.77

4.3

4.3

0.66

1.00

0.57

0.77

4.3

4.3

0.66

1.00

Zone 4:
High Mountain

0.44

0.55

2.8

2.8

0.55

0.80

0.44

0.55

2.8

2.8

0.55

0.80

Climatic Zone

1) The U-values presented in Table 2 do not include the effects of interior and exterior air films. Thus the
calculation of the U-value of the proposed component should exclude interior and exterior air films.
2) For windows and skylights, the thermal transmittance values presented in Table 2 are for the center of
the glass and do not include the effect of the frame used for glazing.
3) Exposed floor: ground floor in direct contact with the exterior air.
4) Semi-exposed floor: ground floor above a non air-conditioned space.

6.1.2 Minimum Thermal Resistance for Slabs on Ground

This requirement is limited to slabs on ground constituting the floors of conditioned spaces
only. In these cases, slabs on ground are to be insulated under the outside perimeter of the slab
with a specified width of thermal insulation having the required thermal resistance (R value) as
presented in Table 3. The thermal resistances presented in Table 3 are exclusively for the
insulation material of the slab composition and should specifically exclude internal air films as
well as the thermal resistance of the ground.

:: Table 3 - Reference Thermal Resistance and Width of Thermal Insulation for Slab on Ground
Climatic Zone

Building
Category

Minimum
Thermal Resistance
(m2.K/W)

Insulation Width
(m)

Zone 1: Coastal

NR

NR

NR

NR

0.75

1.00

0.75

1.00

1.00

1.25

1.00

1.25

1.25

1.5

1.25

1.5

Zone 2: Western Mid-Mountain

Zone 3: Inland Plateau

Zone 4: High Mountain

NR: Not Required

Thermal Standard for Buildings in Lebanon

:: 6 ::

6.2 Compliance with the Thermal Transmittance using the Overall Envelope Approach
This approach is based on the calculation of the overall envelope U-value, and involves the
demonstration that the overall envelope U-value of the proposed building (Uenv) is less than or
equal to the overall envelope U-value of a similar hypothetical reference building (Uref), where
by, the U-values of the individual envelope components of the reference building, must comply
with the tabulated prescriptive requirements of the individual component approach (tables 2
and 3). The overall envelope approach permits trade off between building envelope components,
and as such provides more building design flexibility.
It is to be noted that at this first stage of application of the Thermal Standard, the calculation
of thermal bridges has been deliberately excluded from the equations of the overall envelope Uvalue. However, in future updates of the Thermal Standard, the issue of thermal bridges will be
incorporated.

Equation 3 Calculation of the Overall Envelope U-value of the Proposed Building

Uenv = (Ui x Ai) / A

Equation 4 Calculation of the Overall Envelope U-value of the Reference Building

Uref = (Ui-ref x Ai) / A

Ui
Ui-ref
Ai
A

= Thermal transmittance of the individual component assemblies (roofs, exposed walls,

exposed ground floors, semi-exposed ground floors, windows and skylights) (W/m2.K)
= Reference Thermal transmittance of the individual component assemblies (W/m2.K) as per
the component approach of the prescriptive path.
= Area of individual component assemblies (m2).
= Area of all envelope components enclosing conditioned spaces or exterior components for
unconditioned building (roofs, exposed walls, exposed ground floors, semi-exposed
ground floors, windows and skylights) (m2).

Compliance with the overall building envelope thermal transmittance requirement is achieved if
Equation 5 is satisfied.

Equation 5 Compliance with the Overall Building Envelope U-value

Uenv URef
6.3 Compliance with the Effective Fenestration Ratio
For any building with fenestration, one can evaluate the ratio of the total amount of solar
radiation entering the building to the total solar radiation reaching the fenestration areas over
an entire year. This ratio is used to determine the impact of the solar load on the heating and
cooling energy usage of a building. This ratio depends on the following factors: ratio of
windows to gross wall areas, ratio of skylight to roof area, glass shading coefficient and
architectural shading factor. It is defined as the effective fenestration ratio (EFR).
The maximum allowable effective fenestration ratio presented in Table 8 was determined from a
review of the current average fenestration ratio of existing buildings in Lebanon and the
economics of using improved glazing and architectural shading devices to control the solar
cooling load and to optimize the beneficial solar heat gain during the heating season.
The EFR for the proposed building is calculated using Equation 6:
Thermal Standard for Buildings in Lebanon

:: 7 ::

Equation 6 Calculation of the Effective Fenestration Ratio of the Proposed Building

EFR = (Awi x SCwi x ASFwi) / Av + 2 (Asi x SCsi) / Ah

Awi =
SCwi
ASFwi
Av =
Asi =
SCsi
Ah =

Area of the individual window (m2)

= Shading coefficient of the individual window
= Architectural shading factor of the individual window
Area of all vertical surfaces (opaque walls + windows) (m2)
Area of the individual skylight (m2)
= Shading coefficient of the individual skylight
Area of all horizontal surfaces (roofs + skylights) (m2)

The Shading Coefficient (SC) to be considered is only that of the glazing material. Movable or
removable shading devices are not considered. The glass shading coefficients can normally be
obtained from the manufacturers documentation.
The Architectural Shading Factor (ASF) is a coefficient related to the external shading
projection factor of overhangs and/or lateral fins and for which values can be found in Table 4.
These values were calculated by modeling overhangs and fins per orientation, and by tracking
the net amount of solar energy that penetrates the window opening with and without the
shading device over the heating and cooling season. Tables 4, 5, 6 and 7 summarize
respectively the results for unprotected windows, windows with overhangs, windows with fins,
and windows with both overhangs and fins.
The projection factor (PF) of the architectural shading device is calculated as shown in figures
3 and 4. When both overhangs and fins are used simultaneously, the projection factors for the
overhangs and fins should be calculated separately using figures 3 and 4. Then the appropriate
architectural shading factor should be selected from Table 7. If the projection factor ranges in
Table 7 do not exactly fit the proposed ratios of fins and overhang, then the value with the
closest fit to the projection factor of the overhang should be used from table 7.

:: Figure 3 - Projection Factor for Overhangs

The projection factor for overhangs is expressed as a
dimensionless ratio defined as follows:

PFOverhang =

A
B

PFOverhang = Projection factor for overhangs (dimensionless)

A
= Horizontal extension of the overhang from the vertical wall plane that contains the fenestration(m)
B
= Distance between the bottom edge of the fenestration and the bottom edge of the overhang (m)

:: Figure 4 - Projection Factor for Fins

The projection factor for fins is expressed as a dimensionless
ratio defined as follows:

PF fins =

A
B

PFfins = Projection factor for fins (dimensionless)

A
= horizontal extension of the fin from the vertical wall plane that contains the fenestration (m)
B
= Distance between the farthest side of the fenestration to the face of fin closest to the fenestration(m)

Thermal Standard for Buildings in Lebanon

:: 8 ::

:: Table 4 - Architectural Shading Factor (ASF) for Unprotected Windows

ASF per Orientation

PF - Fins or Overhangs
PF < 0.05

NE,NW

E,W

S,SE,SW

0.26

0.47

0.82

1.00

:: Table 5 - Architectural Shading Factor (ASF) for Windows Protected by Overhangs Only
ASF per Orientation

PF - Overhangs

NE,NW

E,W

S,SE,SW

0.05 PF < 0.15

0.24

0.43

0.74

0.89

0.15 PF < 0.30

0.23

0.40

0.68

0.80

0.30 PF < 0.50

0.21

0.34

0.57

0.64

0.50 PF < 0.70

0.19

0.31

0.49

0.54

0.70 PF < 0.90

0.18

0.28

0.43

0.46

0.90 PF < 1.25

0.17

0.26

0.38

0.41

PF 1.25

0.16

0.24

0.31

0.34

:: Table 6 - Architectural Shading Factor (ASF) for Windows Protected by Fins Only
ASF per Orientation

PF - Fins

NE,NW

E,W

S,SE,SW

0.05 PF < 0.15

0.23

0.42

0.76

0.92

0.15 PF < 0.25

0.20

0.38

0.71

0.85

0.25 PF < 0.35

0.19

0.35

0.67

0.78

PF 0.35

0.17

0.32

0.63

0.74

:: Table 7 - Architectural Shading Factor (ASF) for Windows Protected by Fins and Overhangs
ASF per Orientation

PF Fins and Overhangs

NE,NW

E,W

S,SE,SW

Overhangs: 0.05 PF < 0.30

Fins: 0.05 PF < 0.15

0.20

0.35

0.63

0.72

Overhangs: 0.30 PF < 0.60

Fins: 0.15 PF < 0.30

0.15

0.26

0.47

0.50

0.11

0.17

0.30

0.27

0.08

0.11

0.17

0.13

Overhangs: 0.60 PF < 1.05

Fins: 0.30 PF < 0.50
Overhangs: PF 1.05
Fins: PF 0.50

Thermal Standard for Buildings in Lebanon

:: 9 ::

Compliance with the Thermal Standard for Buildings is achieved if the effective fenestration
ratio (EFR) of the proposed building is less than or equal to the respective tabulated maximum
reference effective fenestration ratio (EFRref) presented in Table 8.
The maximum reference effective fenestration ratio is defined according to the climatic zone
and category of buildings. It is mandatory that the window size and orientation used for the
calculation of EFR and EFRref be the same.

Equation 7 Compliance with the Effective Fenestration Ratio

EFR EFRref

:: Table 8 - Reference Effective Fenestration Ratio (EFRref)

Climatic Zone

Building
Category1

Maximum Effective Fenestration Ratio

(EFRref)

11%

10%

13%

13%

11%

11%

16%

21%

Zone 1: Coastal

Zone 2: Western mid-mountain

Zone 3: Inland Plateau

Zone 4: High Mountain

Category 1: Residential

Category 2: Non-Residential

Thermal Standard for Buildings in Lebanon

:: 10 ::

7 :: PERFORMANCE PATH
The performance path can be used as an alternative to the prescriptive path in order to
demonstrate compliance with the thermal standard. This path provides more flexibility in the
architectural design, and in the choice of building materials and building envelope components.
Under the performance path, the designer has to demonstrate that the total annual heating and
cooling energy requirements of the proposed building are less than or equal to the total annual
heating and cooling energy requirements of a similar reference building which complies with
the prescriptive path. Compliance is to be demonstrated by means of an hourly energy
simulation software approved by the competent Lebanese authority.

7.1 General

Performance path
The performance path is based on computing the annual heating and cooling energy
requirements in kilowatt-hours (kWh) of the proposed building and ensuring that it is not
greater than the annual heating and cooling energy requirements of a similar reference building
which meets the prescriptive path.

Proposed building
The proposed building is to be submitted in the form of typical drawings and is to include the
specifications (size and composition) of the thermal envelope. The designer must submit
construction detail sketches and drawings and calculations demonstrating how the thermal
transmittance (U value) for floor, windows, walls and roofs have been determined for all zones
and blocks as inputted into the simulation software. The input file for the simulation software
should be submitted.

Proposed building thermal energy usage (Ebuilding)

The proposed Building thermal energy usage is the total heating and cooling energy
requirements in kilowatt-hours (kWh) determined by the building simulation software using
inputs of the proposed building including the weather files and the fixed simulation parameters
which have been approved by the competent Lebanese authority.

Reference building
The reference building is similar to the proposed building except that the building envelop
components should comply with the requirements of the individual component approach of the
prescriptive path. All necessary documentation to prove that the reference building complies
with the component approach of the prescriptive path should be submitted with the compliance
verification request as per the requirements of the component approach of the prescriptive
path.
The general building geometry, roof area, floor area, total gross wall, wall surfaces on each
orientation should be the same for the simulation of the proposed building energy usage and
the reference building energy usage.

Thermal Standard for Buildings in Lebanon

:: 11 ::

Except for considerations listed in paragraphs a) and b) below, the window and skylight areas
for the reference building and the proposed building should be the same.
a) For the reference building, the Window to gross wall ratio (the gross wall area is inclusive
of the window area) should not exceed 0.30 even if the proposed building uses larger
fenestration areas. In this case, the window areas in the reference building should be
reduced on each orientation by the difference between the window to wall ratio of the
proposed building and the set limit of 0.30.
b) For the reference building, the skylight to gross roof ratio (the gross roof area is inclusive
of the skylight area) should not exceed 0.05 even if the proposed building uses larger
skylight areas. In this case, the skylight areas in the reference building should be reduced
to the set limit of 0.05.
Except for the limitations above, the reference building should use the same input values as per
the proposed building for all parameters except the ones related to thermal transmittance
characteristics of the roof, walls, floors, windows, skylight windows and the solar heat gain
characteristics (shading coefficient) of windows and the architectural shading devices (fins and
overhangs).
For a building in a climatic zone that does not require wall insulation where the designer may
decide to add wall insulation to permit using larger window areas as a trade-off, the wall in the
proposed building should be inputted exactly as the proposed construction detail. The wall for
the reference building should be entered as specified in the individual approach of the
prescriptive path.
For a building requiring wall insulation but where the designer decides not to insulate the wall,
the proposed building should be entered as per the proposed construction details. The reference
building should be entered as specified in the individual approach of the prescriptive path.

Reference building thermal energy usage (Eref)

The Reference Building thermal energy usage is the total heating and cooling energy
requirements in kilowatt-hours (kWh) determined by the building simulation software using the
same inputs as the reference building, including the same weather files and fixed simulation
parameters which have been approved by the competent Lebanese authority.

7.2 Fixed Simulation Parameters

In order to avoid variations in building performances not related to the thermal performance of
building envelopes, there are a number of simulation parameters which have to be fixed and
which have to be identical for both the proposed building and the reference building. These
fixed simulation parameters include:

Weather file for simulation

Exterior design temperatures
Interior temperature set-point in cooling mode
Typical occupancy schedule
Occupant density
Occupant internal heat gain

Thermal Standard for Buildings in Lebanon

:: 12 ::

Equipment internal heat gain

Equipment schedule
Lighting internal heat gain
Lighting schedule
Process heat gain
Process schedule
Temperature set-points in heating
Temperature set-points in cooling
Temperature schedule
Infiltration level
Infiltration schedule
External energy usage (e.g. Lighting)
Domestic hot water input details (all zeros)
System type and performance (fans, coil, compressors, boilers)
System capacity
System efficiency
System operation schedule

Total energy requirements for heating and cooling (kWh)

Input energy requirements used for heating and cooling by the space conditioning system. The
total annual thermal energy requirement includes the needed energy for comfort heating and
cooling. The competent authority will indicate the approved software that can be used and the
acceptable reporting form.

Software
The list of approved software packages will be established by the relevant National Institution.
From then, any of the approved software packages can be used for the calculation of the
expected total annual energy requirements for heating and cooling for the proposed and
reference buildings.

7.3 Compliance
Compliance with Thermal Building Standard is achieved if:

Equation 8 Compliance with the Annual Heating and Cooling Energy Requirements

Ebuilding EReference
Ebuilding: computed annual thermal energy needs of the proposed building (kWh/year)
EReference: computed annual thermal energy needs of the reference building (kWh/year)

Thermal Standard for Buildings in Lebanon

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:: REFERENCES

Climatic Zoning for buildings in Lebanon, UNDP/GEF and MPWT/DGU 2005.

Energy Analysis and Economic Feasibility Study for the development of viable solutions for the Thermal
Standard for Buildings in Lebanon, UNDP/GEF and MPWT/DGU 2005.

ASHRAE 90.1 Energy Efficient Design of New Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, American
Society of heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Atlanta, GA ,1989.

ASHRAE 90.2 Energy Efficient Design of New Low-Rise Residential Buildings, American Society of
heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Atlanta, GA, 1993.

ASHRAE Fundamentals Handbook, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning

Engineers, Atlanta, GA, 1993,

ASHRAE Refrigeration Handbook, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning

Engineers, Atlanta, GA, 1998.

Rglementation Thermique Franaise 2000 Caractristiques Thermiques des Btiments nouveaux et des
parties nouvelles des btiments, RT2000 Centre Scientifique et Technique du Btiment, CSTB, France,
2000.

Mthodes de calcul Th-C et Th-E, Centre Scientifique et Technique du Btiment, Centre Scientifique et
Technique du Btiment, CSTB, France, 2000.

California Energy Code, California Building standards Commission, USA, 1998.

Model National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings, Institute for Research in Construction, Canadian
Commission on Building and Fire Codes, 1997.

Model National Energy Code of Canada for Houses, Institute for Research in Construction, Canadian
Commission on Building and Fire Codes, 1997.

AS 2627.1-1993 Thermal insulation of dwellings, Part 1: Thermal insulation of roof/ceilings and walls in
dwellings, Standards Australia, 1993.

ISO 13789 Thermal performance of buildings Transmission heat loss coefficient calculation method,
International Organization for Standardization, 1999.

ISO 13786 Thermal performance of building components Dynamic thermal characteristics Calculation
methods, International Organization for Standardization, 1999.

ISO 10077-1 Thermal performance of windows, doors and shutters Calculation methods, International
Organization for Standardization, 2000.

ISO 13370 Thermal performance of buildings - Heat transfer via the ground Calculation methods,
International Organization for Standardization, 1998.

ISO 7345 Thermal Insulation Physical quantities and definitions, International Organization for
Standardization, 1987.

International Survey of Building Energy Codes, Australia Greenhouse Office,

www.greenhouse.gov.au/energyefficiency/buildings, 2000.

Thermal Standard for Buildings in Lebanon

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