ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA

Standard 90.1-2007

An Overview of the Building

Envelope Requirements
March 27, 2008
John Hogan, PE, AIA
Seattle Dept of Planning & Development

Your Instructor
John Hogan, PE, AIA
Senior Code Development Analyst,
Seattle Dept of Planning & Development

Former chair of Envelope Subcommittee

of ASHRAE SSPC 90.1

Chair of ASHRAE SPC 189.1,

Design of High-Performance Green Buildings
Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings

Former vice-chair of IECC Committee

2

Building Envelope

Chapter 5: Building Envelope

Appendices
A. Rated R-value of Insulation and Assembly U-factor,
C-factor, and F-factor Determinations
B. Building Envelope Climate Criteria
C. Methodology for Building Envelope Trade-off Option
in Subsection 5.6
D. Climatic Data
F. Addenda Description Information
G. Performance Rating Method
3

ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007

Chapter 5: Building Envelope (outline)

5.1: General
5.2: Compliance Paths
5.3: (not used)
5.4: Mandatory Provisions
5.5: Prescriptive Building Envelope Option
5.6: Building Envelope Trade-Off Option
5.7: Submittals
5.8: Product Information and Installation
Requirements
4

Space-Conditioning Categories
5.1.2.1(a) nonresidential conditioned space:
all occupancies other than residential

(b) residential conditioned space:

spaces in buildings used primarily for living and sleeping.
Residential spaces include, but are not limited to, dwelling
units, hotel/motel guest rooms, dormitories, nursing
homes, patient rooms in hospitals, lodging houses,
fraternity/sorority houses, hostels, prisons, and fire
stations

(c) semi-heated space:

heated by a heating system whose output capacity is
greater than or equal to 3.4 Btu/hft2 of floor area but is not
a conditioned space
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Section 5: Building Envelope

Space-Conditioning Definition (3.2)

Conditioned space:
a cooled space, heated space, or indirectly
conditioned space defined as follows:
cooled space: an enclosed space within a building that is

cooled by a cooling system whose sensible output capacity

exceeds 5 Btu/hft2 of floor area
heated space: an enclosed space within a building that is
heated by a heating system whose output capacity relative to the
floor area is greater than or equal to the criteria in Table 3.1

Comment:
conditioned does not mean air-conditioned, it
includes heated-only spaces
very few spaces qualify as semiheated
6

Section 5: Building Envelope, General Requirements

Space-Conditioning Categories(5.1.2)
5.1.2.2:

Assumption of conditioned space:

Spaces shall be assumed to be conditioned space and

shall comply with the requirements for conditioned space
at the time of construction, regardless of whether
mechanical or electrical equipment is included in the
building permit application or installed at that time.
except if approved by the building official
meant to address problem of non-compliance in speculative
buildings like warehouses where owners want to pass cost to
tenants and it is more expensive to insulate later
example exception would be lumber storage
7

Section 5: Building Envelope, General Requirements

Climate (5.1.4)

5.1.4.1:

United States:

- Use Figure B-1 or Table B-1 in Appendix B

to determine the required climate zone
(climate zones are specified by county)

5.1.4.2:

Canada and international:

- For Canada, use Table B-2 in Appendix B

- For international, use Table B-3
- For locations not listed, use Table B-4

Later examples show the criteria for nonresidential uses in Climate

Zone 5: Boston, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Omaha, Denver, Flagstaff,
Reno, Vancouver BC.
8

Climate Zones and Climatic Data

Normative Appendices B and D

Figure B-1 and Table B-1

US Climate Zones
9

Section 5: Building Envelope

Mandatory Provisions (5.4)

Insulation (5.4.1, 5.8.1)

to be discussed with Prescriptive Option

Fenestration and Doors (5.4.2, 5.8.2)

to be discussed with Prescriptive Option

Air Leakage (5.4.3)

Note: Standard 90.1 and LEED require compliance

with these mandatory provisions regardless of how
energy-efficient the building is or how great the energy
savings are.
10

Section 5: Building Envelope, Mandatory Provisions

Air Leakage (5.4.3)

Building Envelope Sealing (5.4.3.1)
- seal, caulk, gasket, weatherstrip all openings

Fenestration and Doors (5.4.3.2)

- air leakage < 1.0 cfm/ft2 for glazed swinging
doors & revolving doors, < 0.4 cfm/ft2 for others

Loading Dock Weatherseals (5.4.3.3)

- in CZ 4-8 to limit leakage when truck parked

Vestibules (5.4.3.4)
- in CZ 3-4 for entrances in bldgs > 10,000 ft2
- in CZ 5-8 for entrances in bldgs > 1,000 ft2
- exceptions for small spaces, revolving doors
11

Section 5: Building Envelope

Prescriptive Option (5.5)

Opaque assemblies (5.5.3)

- roofs (3 categories)
- walls, above grade (4 categories)
- walls, below grade (1 category)
- floors (3 categories)
- slab-on-grade floors (2 categories)
- opaque doors (2 categories)

Fenestration (5.5.4)
- vertical glazing (4 categories)
(was 2 different categories in 90.1-2004)
- skylights (3 categories)
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Section 5: Building Envelope, Prescriptive Option

Opaque Assemblies (5.5.3)

Two compliance options (5.5.3)
R-value of insulation alone:
R-values of insulation for the thermal resistance of the
added insulation in framing cavities and continuous
insulation only
does not include air films or building materials
sometimes only continuous insulation (ci)

U-factor, C-factor, or F-factor for the entire

assembly:
The values listed in Normative Appendix A shall be
used to determine compliance
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Section 5: Building Envelope, Prescriptive Option

Opaque Assemblies (5.5.3)

Metal
MetalBuilding
Building U-0.065
U-0.065 R-19.0
R-19.0 U-0.065
U-0.065 R-19.0
R-19.0 U-0.097
U-0.097 R-10.0
R-10.0

14

Section 5: Building Envelope, Prescriptive Option

Opaque Roofs (5.5.3.1)

Roof w/insulation above deck:
all insulation installed above
(outside of) the roof structure
and continuous

Climate Zone 5
2004: R-15 ci, U-0.063
2007: R-20 ci, U-0.048

Comments:
insulation R-value is a minimum for all locations, not
acceptable to average R-values for tapered
insulation
assembly U-factors in Appendix A Table A2.2
exception allows reduction for cool roof
15

Section 5: Building Envelope, Prescriptive Option

Opaque Roofs (5.5.3.1)

Metal building roof:
metal, structural, weathering

surface, no ventilated cavity,

steel framing members

Climate Zone 5
2004: R-19, U-0.065
2007: R-19, U-0.065

Comments:
exception to 5.8.1.2 allows metal building insulation
to be compressed between roof skin and structure
assembly U-factors in Appendix A Table A2.3
exception allows reduction for cool roof
16

Section 5: Building Envelope, Prescriptive Option

Opaque Roofs (5.5.3.1)

Attic and all other roofs:
all other roofs

Climate Zone 5
2004: R-30, U-0.034
2007: R-38, U-0.027

Comments:
5.8.1.8 prohibits installing roof insulation on suspended ceiling
with removable ceiling tiles
5.8.1.6 prohibits recessing light fixtures
into insulation unless area is < 1%
5.8.1.4 requires baffles around eave
vents
assembly U-factors in Appendix A in Tables
A2.4 for wood joists, A2.5 for steel joists
possible reduction for single-rafter roofs

Steel Joists, Rigid Insulation

17

Section 5: Building Envelope, Prescriptive Option

Opaque Walls Above Grade (5.5.3.2)

Wall above grade, mass:
with a heat capacity exceeding
7 Btu/ft2F or a material unit
weight of 5 Btu/ft2F if < 120 lb/ft3

Climate Zone 5
2004: R-7.6 ci, U-0.123
2007: R-11.4 ci, U-0.090

Comments:
ci (3.2 definitions) means insulation must be
continuous across all structural members without
thermal bridges other than fasteners
if metal or wood studs, then must use U-factor
assembly U-factors in Appendix A Table A3.1A
heat capacity in A3.1B, A3.1C, option in A3.1D
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Section 5: Building Envelope, Prescriptive Option

Opaque Walls Above Grade (5.5.3.2)

Wall above grade,
metal building:
metal spanning members

Climate Zone 5
2004: R-13, U-0.113
2007: R-13, U-0.113

supported by steel structural

Comments:
exception to 5.8.1.2 allows metal
building insulation to be compressed
between wall skin and structure
assembly U-factors in Appendix A
Table A3.2

Picture from NAIMA

19

Section 5: Building Envelope, Prescriptive Option

Opaque Walls Above Grade (5.5.3.2)

Wall above grade,
steel-framed:
typical steel stud walls
and curtain wall systems

Climate Zone 5
2004: R-13 + R-3.8 ci, U-0.084
2007: R-13 + R-7.5 ci, U-0.064

Comments:
cavity insulation must also be accompanied by continuous
insulation due to thermal bridging
assembly U-factors in Appendix A Table A3.3
Table A9.2B shows that R-13 insulation only achieves an
effective R-6.0 in metal studs (R-19 in 6 stud only achieves
R-7.1)
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Section 5: Building Envelope, Prescriptive Option

Opaque Walls Above Grade (5.5.3.2)

Wall above grade,
wood-framed:
all other wall types,
including wood stud walls

Climate Zone 5
2004: R-13, U-0.089
2007: R-13 + R-3.8 ci, U-0.064

Comments:
while wood studs perform better thermally than steel,
continuous insulation is still beneficial
assembly U-factors in Appendix A Table A3.4
compressing insulation reduces R-value, Table A9.4C
shows that R-19 insulation only has an effective R-13
when forced into 4 studs
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Section 5: Building Envelope, Prescriptive Option

Opaque Walls Below Grade (5.5.3.3)

Wall below grade:
that portion of a wall that is
entirely below the finish grade
and in contact with the ground

Climate Zone 5
2004: NR, C-1.140
2007: R-7.5 ci, C-0.119

Comments:
insulation must be continuous across the wall
if metal or wood studs, then must use
C-factor
assembly C-factors in Appendix A
Table A4.2 (C-factor does not include
R-values for exterior or interior air
films or for soil)

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Section 5: Building Envelope, Prescriptive Option

Opaque Floors (5.5.3.4)

Mass floor:
with a heat capacity exceeding
7 Btu/ft2F or a material unit
weight of 5 Btu/ft2F if < 120 lb/ft3

Climate Zone 5
2004: R-8.3 ci, U-0.087
2007: R-10.4 ci, U-0.074

Comments:
waffle-slab floors shall be insulated either on the
interior above the slab or on all exposed surfaces of
the waffle (A5.2.2.3)
similar for concrete beams (A5.2.2.4)
assembly U-factors in Appendix A Table A5.2
23

Section 5: Building Envelope, Prescriptive Option

Opaque Floors (5.5.3.4)

Steel joist floors:

Climate Zone 5

steel joist members supported

2004: R-19, U-0.052

by structural members

2007: R-30, U-0.038

Comments:
5.8.1.5 requires floor insulation be installed in
substantial contact with the inside surface
assembly U-factors in Appendix A Table A5.3
Table A9.2A shows that R-30 insulation only achieves
an effective R-23.7 when installed between metal
framing 4 feet on center
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Section 5: Building Envelope, Prescriptive Option

Opaque Floors (5.5.3.4)

Wood framed and
other floors:
all other floor types,
including wood joist floors

Climate Zone 5
2004: R-30, U-0.033
2007: R-30, U-0.033

Comments:
5.8.1.5 requires floor insulation have
supports no greater than 24 in. on
center
assembly U-factors in Appendix A
Table A5.4
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Section 5: Building Envelope, Prescriptive Option

Opaque Slab-on-Grade (5.5.3.5)

Slab-on-grade floor:
a slab floorin contact with the ground and that
is either above grade or is < 24 in. below the
final elevation of the nearest exterior grade

Unheated slab-on-grade floor:

a slab-on-grade that is not a
heated slab-on-grade floor

Heated slab-on-grade floor:

a slab-on-grade with a heating
source either within or below it

Climate Zone 5
2004: NR, F-0.730
2007: NR, F-0.730

Climate Zone 5
2004: R-10 for 36 inches
F-0.840
2007: R-15 for 24 inches
F-0.860
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Section 5: Building Envelope, Prescriptive Option

Opaque Door (5.5.3.6)

Door:
all operable opening areas (which are not
fenestration) including swinging and roll-up
doors, fire doors, and access hatches. Doors
more than one-half glass arefenestration.

Swinging:

all operable opaque panels

with hinges on one side and
opaque revolving doors

Non-swinging:

roll-up, sliding, anddoors

that are not swinging doors

Climate Zone 5
2004: U-0.700
2007: U-0.700

Climate Zone 5
2004: U-1.450
2007: U-0.500
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Fenestration (5.5.4)

b
Nonmetal
Nonmetalframing
framing(all)
(all)bU-035
U-035

U-035
U-035

U-1.20
U-1.20

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Section 5: Building Envelope

Fenestration Definition (3.2)

Fenestration:
all areas (including the frames) in the building
envelope that let in light, including windows,
plastic panels, clerestories, skylights, glass
doors that are more than one-half glass, and
glass block walls

Comments:
if it is not insulated roof, wall, or floor, then it is
fenestration
29

Section 5: Building Envelope, Mandatory Provisions

Fenestration Ratings (5.8.2)

U-factor (5.8.2.4)
U-factors shall be determined in
accordance with NFRC 100.
U-factors for skylights shall be
determined for a slope of 20 degrees
above the horizontal.

Comments:
ratings are for overall product including glass, sash, and frame
(not center of glass)
the overall product U-factor w/frame can be twice as high as the
center-of-glass U-factor
higher U-factor for products at a slope
30

Section 5: Building Envelope, Mandatory Provisions

Fenestration Ratings (5.8.2)

NFRC 100
first published in 1991
certified by U.S. DOE as EPAct-compliant
specifies standard rating conditions and sizes for
apples-to-apples comparison
includes all product types: glazed wall systems (i.e.
curtainwalls/ storefronts), sloped glazing, skylights,
casement, awning, picture, slider, pivoted, swinging
doors, sliding doors, etc.
ratings are based on simulation, not testing (limited
testing is done for validation)
further information at www.nfrc.org
31

Section 5: Building Envelope, Mandatory Provisions

Fenestration Ratings (5.8.2)

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (5.8.2.5)

SHGC for the overall fenestration area

shall be determined in accordance with

NFRC 200.

Exceptions to 5.8.2.5:
(a) allowable to use shading coefficient (SC) for
the center of the glass multiplied by 0.86
provided that SC is from a spectral data file
determined in accordance with NFRC 300
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Section 5: Building Envelope, Mandatory Provisions

Fenestration Ratings (5.8.2)

Exceptions to 5.8.2.5 (cont.):
(b) allowable to use SHGC for the center of the
glass (instead of for the overall product)

Comments:
using the exceptions does not give the full credit that
the NFRC-certified SHGC does
though the SHGC for the frame is not zero (ranges
from 0.11-0.14 for metal frames and from 0.02 to 0.07
for wood/vinyl/ fiberglass), the SHGC for the frame is
almost always lower than the SHGC for the glass
33

Section 5: Building Envelope, Mandatory Provisions

Fenestration Ratings (5.8.2)

Visible Light Transmittance (5.8.2.6)
Visible light transmittance shall be
determined in accordance with
NFRC 200.

Comments:
only necessary if using the EnvStd compliance option in 5.6
however, NFRC requires products to be rated for visible light
transmittance as well as U-factor and SHGC, so information
available
important for daylighting
products available - VT > 2x SHGC
34

Section 5: Building Envelope, Mandatory Provisions

Fenestration Ratings (5.8.2)

Ratings (5.8.2.1)
U-factor, solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC)
shall be determined by a laboratory accredited
by a nationally recognized accreditation
organization, such as the National Fenestration
Rating Council
ratings done by a qualified, independent party
Software helps building and product designers

Appendices A8.1 & A8.2 provide some limited default

values for unlabeled products
35

Section 5: Building Envelope, Mandatory Provisions

Fenestration Labeling (5.8.2)

Labeling (5.8.2.2-3)
All manufactured fenestration products shall
have a permanent nameplate, installed by the
manufacturer, listing the U-factor, solar heat gain
coefficient (SHGC)
OR
certification for the installed fenestration
listing the U-factor, SHGC

NFRC labeling for inspectors:

- manufactured products, 4 x 4 label at factory
- site-built products, 8-1/2 x 11 label certificate
36

Section 5: Building Envelope, Mandatory Provisions

Fenestration Labeling (5.8.2)

37

Section 5: Building Envelope, Mandatory Provisions

Fenestration Ratings (5.8.2)

38

Section 5: Building Envelope, Prescriptive Option

Fenestration General (5.5.4.1)

Calculation methodology:
Gross wall areas and gross roof areas shall be
calculated separately for each spaceconditioning category for the purposes of
determining compliance.
for mixed-use buildings, must do separate
calculations for nonresidential, residential, and
semiheated spaces
within these subcategories, an exception allows areaweighted averaging for U-factor, SHGC
39

Section 5: Building Envelope

Fenestration Area Definition (3.2)

Fenestration area:
total area of the fenestration measured using
the rough opening and including the glazing,
sash, and frame. For doors where the glazed
vision area is less than 50% of the door area, the
fenestration area is the glazed vision area. For
all other doors, the fenestration area is the door
area.
must use rough opening, not glass area
40

Section 5: Building Envelope

Fenestration Area Definition (3.2)

Vertical glazing:
all fenestration other than skylights

Skylights:
a fenestration surface having a slope of less

than 60 degrees from the horizontal plane. Other

fenestration, even if mounted on the roof of a
building, is considered vertical fenestration
clerestories and roof monitors are
considered vertical fenestration
41

Section 5: Building Envelope, Prescriptive Option

Fenestration Area (5.5.4.2)

Vertical:
total vertical fenestration area
shall be less than 40% of the
gross wall area

Skylights:
total skylight area shall be less

Climate Zone 5
2004: 40%(50%) max.
2007: 40% max.

Climate Zone 5
2004: 5% max.
2007: 5% max.

than 5% of the gross roof area

exception allows up to 75% area for the street-side of
street-level retail provided it has projection factor
(overhang) > 0.5
42

Section 5: Building Envelope, Prescriptive Option

Fenestration U-factor (5.5.4.3)

Vertical, 2004:
operable: all frame matl, < 40%
fixed: all frame materials, < 40%

Vertical, 2007:
nonmetal framing: all
metal: curtainwall/storefront
metal: entrance door
metal: other operable/fixed

Climate Zone 5
2004: U-0.67 max.
2004: U-0.57 max.

Climate Zone 5
2007: U-0.35 max.
2007: U-0.45 max.
2007: U-0.80 max.
2007: U-0.55 max.

for 2004, typically achieve with double-glazing with a

very-good low-emissivity coating
for 2007, also need thermal-break in the frame
43

Section 5: Building Envelope, Prescriptive Option

Fenestration SHGC (5.5.4.4)

Vertical, 2004:
varies by area, 30-40%
north-oriented
other-oriented

Vertical, 2007:
same for all areas
same for all orientations

Climate Zone 5
2004: SHGC-0.49 max.
2004: SHGC-0.39 max.

Climate Zone 5
2007: SHGC-0.40 max.

exception allows credit for each fenestration product

shaded by permanent projections that will last as long
as the building itself
44

Section 5: Building Envelope, Prescriptive Option

Fenestration U-factor (5.5.4.3)

Skylight, glass with curb
and plastic with curb:
Skylight, all materials
without curb:

Climate Zone 5
2004: U-1.17/1.10 max.
2007: U-1.17/1.10 max.

Climate Zone 5
2004: U-0.69 max.
2007: U-0.69 max.

skylights with curbs can have a

surface area that is double the
rough opening area
skylights without curbs are sloped
glazing like curtainwalls but higher
heat loss due to slope
45

Section 5: Building Envelope, Prescriptive Option

Fenestration SHGC (5.5.4.4)

Skylight, glass with curb
and plastic with curb:
Skylight, all materials
without curb:

Climate Zone 5
2004: SHGC-0.39/0.62
2007: SHGC-0.39/0.62

Climate Zone 5
2004: SHGC-0.39 max.
2007: SHGC-0.39 max.

glass skylights can achieve the same SHGC as

vertical fenestration with same low-e coating
plastic skylights must use other technologies
for 2010, may require w/auto daylighting control
46

Section 5: Building Envelope

EnvStd Trade-Off Option (5.6)

More flexibility, but more work

Trade-offs limited to envelope
components
- no lighting or HVAC

Includes daylighting need good VT

Methodology and assumptions in
Appendix C

See Users Manual with EnvStd

47

More Building Envelope Energy Efficiency

ASHRAE/USGBC/IESNA Standard 189.1P,

Design for High-Performance Green Buildings
Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings:
- available for public review through April 7th
- http://www.ashrae.org/technology/page/331#672

- goal of 30% additional energy savings

- requires increased insulation, better fenestration
- addresses fenestration orientation, exterior shading
- specifies continuous air barrier

48

More Building Envelope Energy Efficiency

48-story hotel/condo, U-0.21 (3-layer)

49

More Building Envelope Energy Efficiency

19-story office, U-0.14 (4-layer)

50

More Information?

Standard 90.1-2007, the Users Manual, and more

detailed training opportunities are available from:
www.ashrae.org

More information on the standard and compliance tools

available from:
www.energycodes.gov
51