Sustainable Design

Question 1

daylight factor

Answer 1

the ratio of the illuminance at a point on a horizontal surface indoors to the illuminance at a point on a horizontal surface outdoors and fully open to the sky, measured at the same time under overcast skies;; direct sunlight is excluded. DF is expressed as a percentage but the percentage sign is sometimes omitted (e.g. DF 2% = DF of 2.)

Question 2

analemma

Answer 2

the figure-eight curve that represents the angular offset of the sun from its mean position as viewed from the earth;; at any given point on the earth, if the position of the sun is notated at the same time every day for a year, the figure of the analemma is produced.

Question 3

balance-point temperature

Answer 3

the outdoor temperature at which a building makes a transition from a heating need to a cooling need

Question 4

daylight autonomy (DA)

Answer 4

the percentage of an area that meets a minimum daylight illuminance level for a specified fraction of the operating hours per year;; one option for receiving LEED credit in the Daylight category.

Question 5

effective aperture (EA)

Answer 5

the product of visible transmittance and window-to-wall ratio

Question 6

glazing factor

Answer 6

a LEED-based number calculated by taking into account window area floor area, a window geometry factor, light transmission, and a window height factor

Question 7

shading coefficient (SC)

Answer 7

the ratio of the solar heat gain through a glazing product to the solar heat gain through an unshaded 1/8 inch thick, clear, double-strength glass under the same set of conditions;; this is a value for the glass only and does not include the frame.

Question 8

workplane

Answer 8

the assumed height at which work is performed, usually considered to be at desk height, 30 in above the floor

Question 9

4 main causes of poor indoor air quality

Answer 9

1) chemical contaminants from indoor sources 2) chemical contaminants from outdoor sources 3) biological contaminants 4) poor ventilation