Keep in mind that a zone is a single space or room, and that zones can be grouped into air handling systems which in turn make up the building. Zones can optionally be grouped under vav boxes as well. The maximum number of air handling systems allowed for any version is the number of zones allowed or 100, whichever is the lesser. However, there is a generous upgrade policy. This calculation technique allows the programs to calculate for any building orientation and still produce output results that can be easily verified by hand.
All input data is checked at the time of entry so that no improper data can be entered.
The general project data includes the project and client name, designer, building opening and closing hours, internal operating load schedules, and any desired safety factors. The building material data includes the definition of master building material types for roofs, walls, partitions, glass sections, and exterior shading. A user defined material library is available for saving the data on common material types. The air handler data includes the fan and terminal type, the desired heating and cooling supply air temperatures and data for duct heat gains and losses. The zone data includes the zone name, floor length and width, number of people, equipment watts, lighting watts, external shading data, and specific roof, wall, partition, floor, and glass data.