Having net floor area less 1m2 are probably invalid

Robert_Corbyn · Posts: 10

I have recently completed an EPC model for a large office business centre with various HVAC and lighting installations, i.e lots of zones. After completing the model I have run the EPC calculation and keep receiving the following error:-

Probable invalid zone: Having net floor area less 1m2 are probably invalid �should this zone be �semi-exterior conditoned�?

If I re-run the calculation and tick all the boxes apart from (model semi exterior unconditioned zones as R-value to outside) Located under the model options data � Advanced � Simplification. I am able to obtain my EPC result, can you explain if this is ok?

How can I remove the above error on this project and future projects?

Look forward hearing from you,

All the best.

Robert

Andrew Bairstow · Site Admin Posts: 343 Location: Birmingham, UK

There is a rule in SBEM to be taken into account when you are zoning your building it is expressed in the iSBEM manual as:
'If any resulting Zone is less than 3m wide, absorb it within surrounding zones.'
Effectively it is saying not to worry about small zones, just combine them with a larger adjacent zone.
Don't make the zone semi-exterior unconditioned just remove the partition with the adjacent zone most similar in activity
Andrew

Paul Winstanley · Posts: 10

I have found this error. It can be produced by very small sections of partitions creating very small zones that you do not mean to create. No area is generally created smaller than 1m�. Review your partition walls and ensure there are no unexpected small zones.

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