ApacheView User Guide

IES Virtual Environment 2012

Apache
 Contents

ApacheView User Guide ...................................................................................................................... 1

1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 7
1.1 What is the Apache View? ......................................................................................................... 7
1.2 Context of the Apache View....................................................................................................... 7
1.2.1 Creation of building geometry .......................................................................................... 7
1.2.2 Assignment of Apache thermal data ................................................................................. 8
1.2.3 Assignment of other thermal and solar data .................................................................... 8
1.2.4 Thermal analysis and results review ................................................................................. 8
1.3 Overview of Apache View Interface Features ............................................................................ 8
1.3.1 Virtual Environment menu bar .......................................................................................... 9
1.3.2 Apache edit toolbar ........................................................................................................... 9
1.3.3 Model view toolbar ........................................................................................................... 9
1.3.4 Model Browser ................................................................................................................ 10
1.3.5 Room Group tools ........................................................................................................... 10
1.3.6 Thermal analysis buttons ................................................................................................ 10
2 Site and Weather Data ............................................................................................................. 12
3 Building Element Data .............................................................................................................. 13
3.1 What are building elements? ................................................................................................... 13
3.2 Construction data..................................................................................................................... 13
3.2.1 Construction types .......................................................................................................... 13
3.2.2 The construction type attribute for a building element.................................................. 13
3.2.3 Changing the construction type ...................................................................................... 13
3.2.4 Selecting building elements for construction type editing ............................................. 14
3.3 Changing the construction type for selected elements ........................................................... 14
3.4 Adjacency data ......................................................................................................................... 15
4 Room Data................................................................................................................................ 17
4.1 What is Room Data?................................................................................................................. 17
4.2 Viewing and editing Room Data for a single room .................................................................. 17

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 General........................................................................................................................................... 18
Room .............................................................................................................................................. 18
Floor ............................................................................................................................................... 18
Room Conditions............................................................................................................................ 19
Heating ........................................................................................................................................... 20
DHW ............................................................................................................................................... 20
Cooling ........................................................................................................................................... 20
Plant (auxiliary energy) .................................................................................................................. 21
Model settings ............................................................................................................................... 21
Humidity control ............................................................................................................................ 21
System ............................................................................................................................................ 22
Systems .......................................................................................................................................... 23
Heating ........................................................................................................................................... 23
Cooling ........................................................................................................................................... 24
System outside air supply (‘system air supply’ in Vista) ................................................................ 24
Ventilation & exhaust .................................................................................................................... 24
Internal Gains ................................................................................................................................. 26
Air Exchange................................................................................................................................... 29
4.3 Editing Room Data for a Set of Rooms ..................................................................................... 31
4.4 Assigning a Room Thermal Template to a Set of Rooms ......................................................... 32
5 Apache Systems ....................................................................................................................... 33
5.1 What are Apache Systems?...................................................................................................... 33
5.2 Viewing and editing Apache Systems....................................................................................... 33
5.3 Apache Systems dialog ............................................................................................................. 35
5.3.1 List of Apache Systems .................................................................................................... 36
5.3.2 General data for selected system .................................................................................... 36
5.3.3 UK NCM system data wizard ........................................................................................... 36
5.3.4 Main dialog area .............................................................................................................. 36
Heating ........................................................................................................................................... 37
Generator ....................................................................................................................................... 37
Heat recovery ................................................................................................................................. 37
CH(C)P ............................................................................................................................................ 38
Cooling ........................................................................................................................................... 38

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 Generator ....................................................................................................................................... 38
Operation ....................................................................................................................................... 39
Heat rejection ................................................................................................................................ 39
Hot Water ...................................................................................................................................... 39
Generator ....................................................................................................................................... 40
Set points ....................................................................................................................................... 41
Storage ........................................................................................................................................... 41
Secondary circulation..................................................................................................................... 42
Solar water heating ........................................................................................................................ 42
Solar panel ..................................................................................................................................... 43
Storage tank ................................................................................................................................... 44
Auxiliary energy ............................................................................................................................. 44
Method .......................................................................................................................................... 45
Fans ................................................................................................................................................ 45
Auxiliary energy ............................................................................................................................. 46
Air supply ....................................................................................................................................... 46
Outside air supply (‘system air supply’ in Vista) ............................................................................ 46
Cooling air supply sizing ................................................................................................................. 46
Auxiliary mechanical ventilation (set on air exchange tab): .......................................................... 47
Cost ................................................................................................................................................ 47
Control ........................................................................................................................................... 47
Master zone control ....................................................................................................................... 47
6 UK NCM System Data Wizard................................................................................................... 49
6.1 What is the UK NCM System Data Wizard? ............................................................................. 49
6.2 Using the UK NCM System Data Wizard .................................................................................. 49
6.2.1 Heating system ................................................................................................................ 51
6.2.2 Cooling system................................................................................................................. 52
6.2.3 System adjustment: ......................................................................................................... 53
6.2.4 Metering Provision (Control corrections)........................................................................ 54
6.2.5 Ventilation ....................................................................................................................... 55
7 Renewables .............................................................................................................................. 57
7.1 PVS Generator .......................................................................................................................... 58
7.1.1 PV array type and performance parameters ................................................................... 58

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 7.1.2 Adjustment factors .......................................................................................................... 59
7.1.3 PV panel data................................................................................................................... 59
7.2 Wind Generator ....................................................................................................................... 60
7.2.1 Wind generator parameters ............................................................................................ 60
7.2.2 Power curve ..................................................................................................................... 60
7.3 CHP Generator ......................................................................................................................... 62
7.3.1 CHP availability and fuel .................................................................................................. 63
7.3.2 Performance at rated output .......................................................................................... 63
7.3.3 Performance at minimum output ................................................................................... 63
7.3.4 Profiles ............................................................................................................................. 63
8 Thermal Analysis Programs ...................................................................................................... 65
8.1 CIBSE Loads (ApacheCalc) ........................................................................................................ 65
8.2 ASHRAE Loads .......................................................................................................................... 65
8.3 ApacheSim (Dynamic Simulation) ............................................................................................ 65
8.4 Batch Simulation ...................................................................................................................... 66
9 Apache Menu Bar ..................................................................................................................... 67
9.1 File menu .................................................................................................................................. 67
9.2 Edit menu ................................................................................................................................. 67
9.2.1 Undo ................................................................................................................................ 67
9.2.2 Redo................................................................................................................................. 67
9.2.3 Query ............................................................................................................................... 67
9.2.4 Selection Set .................................................................................................................... 67
9.2.5 Apache Systems ............................................................................................................... 67
9.2.6 Renewables ..................................................................................................................... 68
9.3 View menu ............................................................................................................................... 68
9.3.1 Toolbars ........................................................................................................................... 68
9.3.2 Rotation, Zoom etc .......................................................................................................... 68
9.3.3 Tabular Room Data .......................................................................................................... 68
9.3.4 Colour, Viewports & ModelViewer ................................................................................. 68
9.4 Tools menu ............................................................................................................................... 68
9.4.1 Building Template Manager ............................................................................................ 68
9.4.2 APLocate .......................................................................................................................... 68
9.4.3 Report Generator ............................................................................................................ 68

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 9.4.4 Room Group Creator ....................................................................................................... 68
9.4.5 Auto-save......................................................................................................................... 68
9.4.6 Colour table ..................................................................................................................... 69
9.4.7 Preferences...................................................................................................................... 69
9.4.8 ApPro ............................................................................................................................... 69
9.4.9 ApCDB .............................................................................................................................. 69
9.5 Apache menu ........................................................................................................................... 69
9.5.1 Save ................................................................................................................................. 69
9.5.2 Export Room Data ........................................................................................................... 69
9.6 Settings menu .......................................................................................................................... 70
9.6.1 Building ............................................................................................................................ 70
9.6.2 Carbon emission factors for fuels.................................................................................... 70
9.6.3 Loads Methodology ......................................................................................................... 71
9.6.4 Layer properties .............................................................................................................. 71
9.7 Help menu ................................................................................................................................ 72
10 Apache Toolbar ........................................................................................................................ 73
10.1 Select object......................................................................................................................... 73
10.2 Edit selection set constructions ........................................................................................... 73
10.3 Edit selection set custom attributes .................................................................................... 73
10.4 Assign Room Thermal Template to selection set ................................................................ 73
10.5 Fuels Data ............................................................................................................................ 73
10.6 Apache profile database manager ....................................................................................... 73
10.7 Apache construction database manager ............................................................................. 73
10.8 Apache weather/location database manager ..................................................................... 73
10.9 Query ................................................................................................................................... 74
10.10 Tabular Room Data .............................................................................................................. 74
10.11 Apache Systems ................................................................................................................... 74
10.12 Renewables .......................................................................................................................... 74
10.13 Edit Multiple Adjacencies .................................................................................................... 74

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1 Introduction

1.1 What is the Apache View?

The Apache View is a view within the Virtual Environment’s Thermal category.

Virtual Environment

Thermal category

Apache View

Apache is the name given to the thermal analysis programs in the Virtual Environment. The
Apache view provides facilities for:
 Preparation of input data for the thermal analysis programs ApacheSim ASHRAE
Loads and CIBSE Loads
 Calculations and simulations using ApacheSim, ApacheHVAC, MacroFlo, ASHRAE
Loads and CIBSE Loads.
The preparation of thermal input data consists of three main tasks:
 Specification of building location and weather data
 Specification of building element data (properties of the building fabric)
 Specification of room data (conditions in each room)
The interfaces to the thermal analysis programs provide facilities for:
 Setting up the calculations and simulations
 Specifying the results to be recorded

1.2 Context of the Apache View

To put the Apache view in context, it is useful to examine the steps involved in creating a
thermal model and running the thermal analysis programs. This outline is intended as a guide.
Many of the steps may be interchanged and data of all types may be edited at any stage.

1.2.1 Creation of building geometry

1. Start the Virtual Environment.

2. Enter the ModelBuilder Category and create the building geometry in ModelIT.
3. During this phase you may find it helpful to use Templates. Templates contain collections
of data for thermal and other applications, and are created using the Template Manager.
When a template is set as the active template, its data is automatically assigned to rooms
or elements as they are created.

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1.2.2 Assignment of Apache thermal data

1. Select the Thermal Category.

2. Enter the Apache view.
3. Run the APlocate utility to define site location and weather data (for thermal and solar
shading calculations).
4. Run the utility APcdb to define constructions.
5. Assign constructions to building elements as appropriate.
6. Run the utility APpro to define operational profiles.
7. Define the characteristics of the building’s HVAC systems using Apache Systems and assign
systems to rooms.
8. For each room, assign Room Data to specify heating and cooling, internal gains and
ventilation.
9. Use Room Thermal Templates to facilitate the previous two steps.

1.2.3 Assignment of other thermal and solar data

At this stage (or at any suitable time) you may wish to leave the Apache view to carry out the
following additional tasks:
1. Within the MacroFlo View set up opening air flow characteristics for the MacroFlo
simulation program.
10. Within the ApacheHVAC View set up HVAC system data for the ApacheHVAC simulation
program.
11. Within the SunCast view of the Solar Category perform solar shading calculations.

1.2.4 Thermal analysis and results review

1. In the Apache view, perform either of the following analyses:

 Industry-standard thermal calculations (ASHRAE Loads, CIBSE Loads & related
programs)
 Dynamic simulation (ApacheSim & related programs)
2. Review results from the thermal analyses using:
 Vista - a View for displaying and exporting ApacheSim ASHRAE Loads and CIBSE
Loads results.

1.3 Overview of Apache View Interface Features

The Apache view consists of the following interface features:

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1.3.1 Virtual Environment menu bar

These menus provide functions used throughout the Virtual environment and Apache view.
Please refer to the Virtual Environment User Guide for further information.

1.3.2 Apache edit toolbar

These icons provide a quick route to functions on the Apache menu bar.
Model workspace

This displays the model geometry and provides a graphical means of selecting geometrical
objects.

1.3.3 Model view toolbar

This provides functions for manipulating the view of the geometrical model.

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1.3.4 Model Browser

This list of rooms, opening up to display surfaces and openings in those rooms, provides an
alternative way to view and select geometrical objects.

1.3.5 Room Group tools

These tools allow the creation, application and selection of Room Grouping Schemes. See the
ModelIT user guide for further information.

1.3.6 Thermal analysis buttons

These buttons invoke the thermal analysis programs CIBSE Loads, ASHRAE Loads and
ApacheSim, and Batch Simulation.
When the Loads Methodology on the Apache View Settings menu is set to ASHRAE,
CIBSE Loads is replaced by ASHRAE Loads.

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 Common tools for model viewing and interrogation
Before using the Apache view you should familiarise yourself with the following tools, which
provide the means for navigating around the model to view and set room and building element
attributes:
 The Virtual Environment menu bar
 The model workspace
 The model browser
 The model view toolbar
In particular, you should be familiar with the following procedures described in the ModelIT
User Guide:
 Selecting a view of the model workspace using the following buttons on the
model view toolbar:
Fit view
Zoom window
Zoom in
Zoom out
Pan
Zoom previous
Zoom next
View axis (Plan, Right, Left, Front, Back, Axon.)
Set axonometric rotation
Rotate view
 Selecting a single room or a set of rooms by clicking in the model workspace.
 Selecting a single room or a set of rooms by clicking in the model browser.
 Panning and zooming the model image.
 Moving between the following model decomposition levels using the up and
down arrows on the view toolbar (or by double-clicking on a room or surface):
 Model level
 Space level (only surface mode applies in the Apache view)
 Surface level (opening or adjacency mode)
 Moving between model decomposition levels by clicking in the model browser.

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2 Site and Weather Data
The external climate is an important driving force affecting thermal conditions in a building. This
data is specified in the program APlocate.
The programs CIBSE Loads (or its ASHRAE counterpart, ASHRAE Loads) and ApacheSim have
different requirements for weather data. APlocate deals with both types of data.
APlocate also sets the building location and information on the setting of clocks, which is
important in calculations of solar position.
APlocate may be invoked from either the Apache menu bar or the Apache toolbar.
Please refer to the APlocate User Guide for further information on this program.

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3 Building Element Data

3.1 What are building elements?

A building element (often shortened to element) is a component of the building such as a wall,
ceiling, floor or window. For convenience, building elements are divided into categories such as
‘External wall’, ‘Internal glazing’, etc. Where a room surface has multiple adjacencies, each
adjacency is treated as a separate building element.
Two kinds of data need to be set for building elements in the Apache view: construction data
describing the element’s thermal properties, and adjacency data describing its thermal
boundary conditions. Construction data needs to be set for all elements. Adjacency data is set
automatically as a function of building geometry, and need only be edited in special
circumstances.

3.2 Construction data

3.2.1 Construction types

A construction type (often shortened to construction) is a type of building element in the

context of Apache thermal analysis. It consists of a layer-by-layer description of the element’s
thermophysical properties, together with other data such as surface solar absorptivity and
emissivity. Construction types are created and edited in the program APcdb.

3.2.2 The construction type attribute for a building element

Every building element has an attribute specifying its construction type. When the element is
created in ModelIT, its construction type is set by the active Apache Constructions Template.
This setting can later be changed using tools provided in the Apache view. The construction type
attribute for an element consists of a pointer to one of the construction types defined in APcdb.
This means that if the construction type data is edited in APcdb, the change immediately and
automatically takes effect for all elements to which that construction type is assigned.

3.2.3 Changing the construction type

The mechanism for changing the construction types of building elements is as follows:
1. Select a building element or a set of building elements (this is called the selection set)
2. For the selected elements, replace all instances of one construction type with another
construction type
The first operation may be done in various ways depending on the selection set required (see
‘Selecting building elements for construction type editing’).
For the second operation the usual method is to use the function ‘Edit selection set
constructions’ (see ‘Changing the construction type for selected elements’). An alternative
method for individual elements is to use the Query button.

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 The same mechanisms may be used to inspect the construction type of elements without
changing them.

3.2.4 Selecting building elements for construction type editing

There are several ways to select a set of building elements in the Apache view.
At model level
At the model level of decomposition you may select a single room or a set of rooms by clicking
in the model workspace or the model browser. For the purposes of construction type setting,
this selects all the elements contained in those rooms.
At space level
At the space level of decomposition (surface mode applies here) you may select a room surface.
For the purposes of construction type setting, this selects all the elements contained in that
surface.
At surface level (opening mode)
At the surface level of decomposition (opening mode) you may select a single opening or a set
of openings.
At surface level (adjacency mode)
At the surface level of decomposition (adjacency mode) you may select a single adjacency.

3.3 Changing the construction type for selected elements

After you have selected a set of building elements you can change (or simply inspect) their
construction types by clicking on the icon ‘Edit selection set constructions’ on the Edit toolbar.

Edit selection set constructions dialog (space level shown)

On the left of the dialog a graphic of the selection set is shown. At model and space level, the
graphic uses the same view rotation as the active model window. It is usually easier to see the

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 various elements if you select an Axonometric view in the active model window before using
the ‘Edit selection set constructions’ tool.
If more than one element category is represented in the selection set it is first necessary to
select one of these categories from the list headed ‘Select category’. Any edits will be applied
only to elements in the selected category.
Under the heading ‘Construction Type’ you will see a list of the construction types currently
assigned to the selected elements. By clicking on each construction type in turn you will be able
to identify the elements where the construction is used. These elements are highlighted on the
graphic.
At any stage in this inspection process you may replace all the highlighted instances of the
selected construction type with another construction type. To do this, click on the desired
replacement construction type in the list headed ‘Possible replacement construction types’, and
then click on Replace.
If you need to create or modify construction types during this process you can run APcdb by
clicking on the APcdb button.

3.4 Adjacency data

Adjacency data for a building element describes what lies on the other side of it (when viewed
from the selected room), and the assumed thermal boundary condition applying there.
Adjacency data is set automatically by the program, but in certain circumstances may be edited.
To view the adjacency data for a building element, select a room surface by clicking in the
model workspace or browser, and change the decomposition mode from ‘opening’ to
‘adjacency’ using the selector on the model view toolbar. If the surface is adjacent to two or
more spaces (including the exterior space), you will need to identify, by pointing and clicking,
which adjacency you wish to interrogate.
Having selected an adjacency, click on the Query icon on the Apache toolbar to display the
adjacency data.

The dialog shows the adjacent space, the area of the element, the Construction Type (which
may be changed here) and the Adjacent Condition.

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 The Adjacent Condition is set initially depending on the category of element:
Category of element Adjacent Condition
External wall or roof Outside air
Partition wall or intermediate floor/ceiling Internal partition
Ground floor or exposed floor Outside air with offset temp. 0
In all cases except partition wall and intermediate floor/ceiling, the Adjacency Condition may be
edited. Possible Adjacency Conditions are:
 Outside air
 Outside air with offset temperature
 Temperature from profile
Outside air is self-explanatory.
Outside air with offset temperature sets the temperature on the far side of the wall to the
outside air temperature plus a constant offset. Enter the value of the offset in the Temperature
Offset box. This Adjacent Condition may be used to approximate a boundary condition where
the external surface of the element is exposed to outside air that has been warmed by contact
with the building -–for example by passing through an underground car park.
Temperature from profile allows you to set a constant or time-varying temperature boundary
condition. The temperature is specified by an absolute profile created in APpro. The most
common use of this feature is in the specification of temperature boundary conditions for
ground floors. In the UK a ground temperature of about 13ºC may be assumed for the ground
temperature at a depth of 1m. This can be modelled using a Temperature from profile Adjacent
Condition with the Temperature Profile set to the system weekly profile ‘13’, a profile which has
a value of 13.0 year-round.

When parts of the model (layers) are made inactive (switched OFF) they will not be included in
the thermal simulations and no solar gain will be present on ceilings, floors, walls, fenestration,
etc. that form an adjacency to a space that is on an inactive layer.

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4 Room Data

4.1 What is Room Data?

In the Apache view each room has a set of attributes that describe conditions in the room. This
data, known as Room Data, provides input to the thermal analysis programs.
In the Apache view Room Data is displayed on five tabs:
 General – Room name and ID, Templates, floor area and volume data, comfort
parameters
 Room conditions – heating and cooling set points and room thermal modelling settings
 System – parameters describing the system serving the room
 Internal Gains – Specification of internal gains to the room
 Air Exchange – Specification of infiltration, natural ventilation and auxiliary ventilation

4.2 Viewing and editing Room Data for a single room

To view or edit Room Data for a single room, first select the room using the model workspace or
model browser. Click on the Query tool button on the Edit toolbar or select Query from the Edit
menu. The Room data dialog then opens.
The Room data dialog contains the same fields as the Room Thermal Template tab in the
Template Manager (see the Template Manager User Guide for further information on this
facility).
Room Data is set by default from the Room Thermal Template currently assigned to the room.
Check boxes next to the data items (marked ‘Template’) enable you to override these settings.
If an attribute in a template is changed in the Template Manager the attributes for rooms using
that template will also change, unless they have been explicitly overridden.
If a template is reassigned to a room, it nullifies any exceptions made to the settings from the
previous template.
The Room data dialog is split into tabbed sections, as follows.

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 General

Room data dialog - General tab

Room
Room Name
The name given to the room in ModelIT
General Template
The Room General Templates assigned to the room
Thermal Template
The Room Thermal Templates assigned to the room
Room ID
The ID assigned to the room in ModelIT (information only)
Volume (m3)
The calculated volume of the room (information only)

Floor
Area (m2)
The calculated floor area of the room, used for the calculation of internal gains (information
only). Floor area is calculated as the sum of the areas of all opaque floor elements. It excludes
the areas of any holes or glazing elements in the floor.
Include in building floor area? (checkbox)
Set if this zone contributes to the building floor area. Uncheck if it should not.
Lettable Area (%)
The percentage of the floor area that is lettable

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 Circulation Area (%)
The percentage of the floor area that is classed as circulation

Room Conditions

Room data dialog – Room Conditions tab

This tab allows you to specify the operation of room heating and cooling plant in the thermal
analysis programs ASHRAE Loads, CIBSE Loads (ApacheCalc) and ApacheSim. It also deals with
certain thermal modelling settings for the room.
In ApacheSim, the control parameters entered here will be overridden in any rooms that feature
in an attached ApacheHVAC system.
Parameters labelled in blue are autosized parameters calculated by the loads analysis program.
Buttons in the ASHRAE Loads and CIBSE Loads (ApacheCalc) dialogs allow these parameters to
be re-zeroed or set back to the values they had before the last loads analysis.

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 Heating
Heating Profile
A modulating profile scheduling the operation of the heating plant. Heating will be available
when the modulating profile value exceeds 0.5. Profiles are created and edited in ApPro, the
Profiles Database Manager.
This parameter is overridden if the room is modelled in ApacheHVAC.
Heating Set Point
The temperature set point for heating control. This value must be less than or equal to the
Cooling Set Point at all times. The Heating Set Point can be constant or it can follow an absolute
profile.
This parameter is overridden if the room is modelled in ApacheHVAC.

DHW
These parameters specify the demand for domestic hot water.
Consumption pattern
This specifies the procedure for determining the how the room’s DHW demand varies with time.
The demand can be linked to room occupancy (as set in the Internal Gains tab) or governed by
an independent profile.
Pattern of use profile
When DHW Consumption Pattern is set to ‘Independent Profile’ this option specifies which
profile is to be used to modulate the DHW demand.
DHW consumption
The maximum rate of hot water consumption. The unit is litres per hour per person or litres per
hour (or equivalent IP units) depending on the specified Consumption pattern.
Hot water consumption is accounted for in ApacheSim, and optionally in ASHRAE Loads and
CIBSE Loads.

Cooling
Cooling profile
A modulating profile scheduling the operation of the cooling plant. Cooling will operate when
the modulating profile value exceeds 0.5. Profiles are created and edited in APpro, the Profiles
Database Manager.
In the case of ApacheSim this parameter is overridden if the room is modelled in ApacheHVAC.
Cooling Set Point
The temperature set point for cooling control. This value must be greater than or equal to the
Heating Set Point at all times. The Cooling Set Point can be constant or it can follow an absolute
profile.
This parameter is overridden if the room is modelled in ApacheHVAC.

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 Plant (auxiliary energy)
Plant profile
Plant profile (auxiliary energy) is a modulating profile specifying the times when auxiliary energy
will be incurred. By default, settings are taken from thermal template and auxiliary energy
figures defined elsewhere. Here the user is given the option to adjust it by selecting one of the
following options from the drop-down list:
Set to heating profile : Profile is set according to heating profile
Set to cooling profile : Profile is set according to cooling profile
Set independently : a profile chosen by the user
If option “Set independently” was chosen, the drop – down box below becomes active with a list
of all available modulating profiles to select from. More profiles can be defined using APpro.

Model settings
Solar Reflected Fraction
(CIBSE Loads only) The fraction of solar radiation entering the room which is assumed to be
scattered back out through glazing. The value of this parameter depends primarily on internal
surface solar absorptance and room geometry.
In ApacheSim, the retransmission of solar radiation is calculated directly from this data.
Furniture Mass Factor
(not CIBSE Loads). An allowance for the thermal inertia of furniture. Lightweight furniture can
be modelled by assuming that its temperature closely follows the room air temperature. Under
these conditions its effect is the same as that of an increase in the thermal capacity of the air in
the room. The Simulation Furniture Mass Factor is the factor by which the thermal capacity of
the furniture exceeds the thermal capacity of the air. If furniture is to be ignored, a value of 0
should be entered.

Humidity control
Percentage saturation lower limit
The minimum percentage saturation level to be maintained in the room during periods of plant
operation, as specified by the Cooling profile. If the percentage saturation in the space falls
below the value entered here during plant operation, humidification will occur to meet this
limit. Setting this parameter to 0% disables humidification control.
Percentage saturation upper limit
The maximum Percentage Saturation level to be maintained during periods of plant operation,
as specified by the Cooling profile. If the percentage saturation in the space rises above the
value entered here during plant operation, dehumidification will occur to meet this limit. Setting
this parameter to 100% disables dehumidification control.
Max humidification
An autosized value set by ASHRAE Loads and CIBSE Loads (ApacheCalc) runs. It records the
maximum level of humidification required during the run.

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 Max heating + humidification
An autosized value set by ASHRAE Loads and CIBSE Loads (ApacheCalc) runs. It records the
maximum level of room unit heating plus humidification required during the run.
Max dehumidification
An autosized value set by ASHRAE Loads and CIBSE Loads (ApacheCalc) runs. It records the
maximum level of dehumidification required during the run.
Max cooling + dehumidification
An autosized value set by ASHRAE Loads and CIBSE Loads (ApacheCalc) runs. It records the
maximum level of room unit cooling plus dehumidification (total cooling) required during the
run.

System

Room data dialog – System tab

This tab allows you to specify an Apache System serving the room and set its parameters. It also
displays autosized room parameters generated by ASHRAE Loads and CIBSE Loads.
In ApacheSim, the system parameters entered here will be overridden (with one exception) in
any rooms that feature in an attached ApacheHVAC system. The exception is the setting
‘Auxiliary mech. vent. system’. A room served by an ApacheHVAC system may also have one or
more auxiliary ventilation air supplies defined on the Air Exchange tab, and these are always
associated with an Apache System.

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 Parameters labelled in blue are autosized parameters calculated by the loads analysis program.
Buttons in the ASHRAE Loads and CIBSE Loads (ApacheCalc) dialogs allow these parameters to
be re-zeroed or set back to the values they had before the last loads analysis.

Systems
System
The Apache System serving the room. Select a system from a list of those defined in the Apache
Systems utility, or use the option ‘None’ to indicate an unconditioned room. The system will
initially be set by the room thermal template. The template specifies a type of system (currently
there is only one type – Generic heating & cooling), which is then instantiated by the following
procedure. For each type of system a specific system is nominated in Apache Systems as the
default system of that type. It is this system that is assigned to the room. System assignments,
like other Room Data parameters, can be overridden by un-ticking the Template check box and
editing the setting.
Use same system for auxiliary mech. vent.
If there are air exchanges of the ‘Auxiliary ventilation’ type defined on the Air Exchange tab
these will be supplied by an Apache System. By default they will be handled by the main system
serving the room, but you can source them from another system by un-ticking this check box
and specifying a second system for this purpose.
Auxiliary vent. system
The Apache System handling auxiliary ventilation air exchanges defined on the Air Exchange tab.
The auxiliary ventilation system will calculate the heating, cooling and dehumidification
required to process outside air to the specified supply condition.
Use same system for DHW (Domestic Hot Water)
If hot water use is included in the Room Conditions tab the energy use associated with this will
be calculated by an Apache System. By default they will be handled by the main system serving
the room, but you can source them from another system by un-ticking this check box and
specifying a second system for this purpose.
DHW system
The Apache System that handles Domestic Hot Water. The DHW system will calculate the
energy required, using a model which assumes a temperature rise of 50K between the mains
water supply temperature and the hot water temperature.

Heating
Heating unit size
During ASHRAE Loads and CIBSE Loads runs the value of this parameter is automatically updated
(autosized) to record the maximum heating unit demand encountered during the loads analysis.
Simulation heating unit capacity
This parameter only applies to simulation runs, not to ASHRAE Loads or CIBSE Loads. It allows
you to specify a maximum capacity available from the heating units in the room.

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 Heating plant radiant fraction
The fraction of the heating plant’s output that is in the form of radiant, rather than convected,
heat. A value of 0.0 is appropriate for warm air heating and a value of 0.9 for high-temperature
radiant heaters. See Table 13 for further guidance.

Cooling
Cooling unit size
During ASHRAE Loads and CIBSE Loads (ApacheCalc) runs the value of this parameter is
automatically updated (autosized) to record the maximum cooling unit demand encountered
during the loads analysis.
Simulation cooling unit capacity
This parameter only applies to simulation runs, not to ASHRAE Loads or CIBSE Loads. It allows
you to specify a maximum capacity available from the cooling units in the room.
Cooling plant radiant fraction
The fraction of the cooling plant’s output that is in the form of radiant, rather than convected,
heat. A value of 0.0 is appropriate for air conditioning. See Table 13 for further guidance.

System outside air supply (‘system air supply’ in Vista)

Flow rate
The maximum flow rate of air supplied to the room from the system (not including any room air
recirculated through the room units) at the condition specified in the Apache System settings.
This can be entered in four forms: air changes per hour, volume flow rate, volume flow rate per
unit floor area or volume flow rate per person (based on number of people defined in
Occupancy internal gains for the room). Whichever form is chosen (as indicated by the asterisk)
the value expressed in that form will be preserved if the room geometry subsequently changes.
The air is assumed to be drawn from outside. Mechanical ventilation can alternatively be
specified using air exchanges of type ‘Auxiliary ventilation’.
Free cooling flow capacity
This parameter is used to specify the availability of free cooling ventilation, in the form of either
natural or mechanical ventilation at the outside air condition, up to a certain maximum flow
rate. Free cooling flow capacity is the maximum flow rate of external air available for providing
free cooling to the room. Free cooling is under the control of the cooling variation profile. It will
be supplied when the room temperature exceeds the cooling set point, provided that it is
advantageous in terms of reducing room temperature or cooling demand. If mechanical cooling
is also available, this will be provided in addition if free cooling is unable to maintain the room
temperature at the cooling set point. If free cooling is not required the free cooling flow
capacity should be set to zero.
Variation profile
A modulating profile specifying the time variation of the system supply air flow.

Ventilation & exhaust

The options in this section are activated when the Apache System serving the room has
Cooling/ventilation mechanism set to ‘Mechanical ventilation’.

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 Is there mechanical supply in this room?
Tick the box if the room is served by a mechanical ventilation air supply. This invokes auxiliary
energy calculations applied at room level when the auxiliary energy method is set appropriately.
The flow rate used in the calculation is the value specified as auxiliary ventilation or Apache
System air supply.
Specific fan power
The specific fan power to be used for the calculation of auxiliary energy associated with room-
level ventilation supply.
Is there local mechanical exhaust in the room?
Tick the box if the room has mechanical ventilation extract. This invokes auxiliary energy
calculations applied at room level when the auxiliary energy method is set appropriately.
Extract flow rate
The exhaust flow rate, can be entered as air changes per hour, litres per second, litres per
second per unit floor area or litres per second per person (defined by Occupancy internal gains).
Specific fan power
The specific fan power to be used for the calculation of auxiliary energy associated with room-
level ventilation extract.

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 Internal Gains

Room data dialog – Internal Gains tab

This tab is for viewing and specifying room internal gains (sometimes called casual gains).
The dialog displays a list of internal gains present in the room. By clicking on an item from the
list of you can view, and if appropriate edit, its specification.
Gains can be specified in Watts or W/m2. For people (occupancy), gains can be specified in
Watts or W/person, and the occupancy density can be specified in number of persons or
m2/person. For lighting gains the power density can also be specified by the Installed Power
density per 100lux (or per fc).
If you click on the Add button, the Internal Gains List will appear, allowing you to select those
gains you wish to include in the room in addition to those attached to the Room Thermal
Template. Any gain you add to a room must first be created in the Internal Gains List. This is
done in the Template Manager. Any gain originating from the Room Thermal Template is
marked with a ‘T’. Other gains are unmarked.

Note: Not all items listed below are needed for each type of Internal Gain.

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 Type
The type of gain (Fluorescent Lighting, Tungsten Lighting, Machinery, Miscellaneous, Cooking,
Computers or People)
Reference
A verbal description of the gain
Input mode
The mechanism used to define the internal gain, W, W/m2 or (in the case of lighting) lux.
Maximum Illuminance
The value defines the illuminance used to calculate the maximum sensible lighting gain if
lighting power density is expressed as W/m2/(100lux) or (fc).
Installed power density
The value used to calculate the maximum sensible lighting gain if lighting power density is
expressed as W/m2/(100lux) or (fc).
Maximum Sensible Gain per Person
The value used to calculate the sensible heat gain per room from occupants. Typical values are
listed in CIBSE Guide A Table A7.1.
Maximum Latent Gain per Person
The value used to calculate the latent heat gain per room from occupants. Typical values are
listed in CIBSE Guide A Table A7.1
Floor Area / Person
This value is used to calculate the number of people per room.
Maximum Sensible Gain
The peak sensible heat gain. Typical values can be found in CIBSE Guide A7.
Maximum Latent Gain
The peak latent heat gain. Typical values can be found in CIBSE Guide A7.
Radiant Fraction
The fraction of the gain that is emitted as radiant heat (the remainder being assumed to be
convective). Typical values are listed in CIBSE Guide A7.
Maximum Power Consumption
The peak rate of energy consumption of the device being described. This parameter will
normally (but not always) be equal to Maximum Sensible Gain, and on this assumption its value
will be set automatically when you click in the box.
Fuel
Where the internal gain has an associated energy consumption, this item defines the type of
fuel that it uses. For example, lights would normally use electricity, but cooking might use gas or
electricity.

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 Variation Profile
A modulating profile specifying the variation of the gain throughout the year. This profile
modulates the Maximum Sensible or Latent Gain entered above.
Dimming Profile
A modulating profile specifying the dimming variation of a lighting gain throughout the year.
This profile operates in multiplicative combination with the Variation Profile. It therefore does
not usually require scheduling with time. Dimming profiles usually involve formulae.
An example of a suitable formula for modulating a lighting gain in response to available daylight
is ramp(e1,0,1,500,.4). This formula modulates the lighting gain as a function of the illuminance
on the working plane, e1. The value of the profile falls from 1 at zero illuminance to 0.4 at
illuminance 500 lux, thereafter remaining constant at this value. The value 0.4 (which you
should set as appropriate) represents the fraction of the room’s lighting gain which is not
subject to daylight control. The illuminance e1 must be computed using the link to Radiance.
Diversity factor
This value is valid for all types of gains and will be applied as a multiplicative factor in simulation
runs. It doesn’t effect any design simulations like CIBSE loads or Apache Loads.

Note on floor area:

Floor area is calculated as the sum of the areas of all opaque floor elements. It excludes the
areas of any holes or glazing elements in the floor.

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 Air Exchange

Room data dialog – Air Exchange tab

This tab is for viewing or specifying room infiltration and ventilation.

The dialog displays a list of air exchanges for the room. By clicking on an item from the list of
you can view, and if appropriate edit, its specification.
All air exchanges represent air flow entering the room. The source of the air may be the external
environment (optionally with a temperature offset), an adjacent room or a supply at a
temperature specified by an absolute profile.
Air exchanges are of three types: Infiltration, Natural Ventilation and Auxiliary Ventilation.
Infiltration air exchanges are included unconditionally in ApacheSim, ASHRAE Loads and CIBSE
Loads. Natural and Auxiliary Ventilation air exchanges may be switched on and off at calculation
or simulation time.
Auxiliary Ventilation air exchanges are intended to be used to specify minimum levels of either
mechanical or natural ventilation for fresh air purposes. This type of ventilation can alternatively
be specified using the ‘System outside air supply’ settings on the System tab. If this convention
is followed ventilation will be correctly handled in simulations for building regulation
compliance.
If you click on the Add button, the Air Exchanges List will appear, allowing you to select those air
exchanges you wish to include in the room in addition to those attached to the Room Thermal
Template. Any air exchange you add to a room must first be created in the Air Exchanges List.
This is done in the Template Manager. Any air exchange originating from the Room Thermal
Template is marked with a ‘T’. Other air exchanges are unmarked.

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 Note: Different combinations of Air Exchange types with adjacent condition codes require
different items of data.
Type
The type of air exchange (Infiltration, Natural Ventilation or Auxiliary Ventilation)
Reference
A verbal description of the air exchange
Max Flow
The peak air change rate, expressed in air changes per hour, litres per second, litres per second
per m2 of floor area or litres per second per person.
Variation Profile
A modulating profile specifying the variation of the air flow throughout the year. This profile
modulates the Maximum AC Rate entered above.
Adjacent Condition
The source of air entering the room. The options are: 1) External Air, 2) External Air + Offset
Temperature (external air with a temperature offset applied), 3) Temperature From Profile (air
at a temperature specified by an absolute profile) and 4) Ventilation From Adjacent Space.
In the case of External Air + Offset Temperature and Temperature From Profile, the humidity
ratio of the supply air is assumed to equal that of the room being supplied.
Temperature Offset
In the case of adjacency condition ‘External Air + Offset Temperature’, the offset to be added to
the external air temperature
Temperature Profile
In the case of adjacency condition ‘Temperature From Profile’, an absolute profile specifying the
(possibly time-varying) supply temperature
Adjacent Room
In the case of adjacency condition ‘Ventilation From Adjacent Room’, the adjacent room from
which the air is drawn.

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 4.3 Editing Room Data for a Set of Rooms
To edit Room Data for a set of rooms, first select the rooms by clicking in the model workspace
or model browser. The rooms you have selected are known as the selection set.
Next click on ‘Edit selection set custom attributes’ on the edit toolbar. You can now edit the
Room Data parameters for all the selected rooms simultaneously. To edit a parameter, first click
on the appropriate check box on the left of the dialog, then enter a value. This value will be
applied to all the selected rooms, overriding their Room Thermal Template values.
Note that the data displayed in grey for boxes that are un-ticked is default data and does not
necessarily correspond to the data for any of the selected rooms.

Edit Group Attributes dialog box

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 4.4 Assigning a Room Thermal Template to a Set of Rooms
Room Thermal Templates are created and edited in the Template Manager (accessed from the
Templates menu on the VE toolbar). A Room Thermal Template contains a complete set of
Room Data that can be applied to a room or a set of rooms in a single operation.
To assign a Room Thermal Template to a set of rooms, first select the rooms by clicking in the
model workspace or model browser.
Next click on ‘Assign Room Thermal Template to selection set’ on the edit toolbar, select a
Room Thermal Template from the list-box and click on OK. This will assign the Room Thermal
Template to the selection set.
Note that if you edit the Room Thermal Template data in the Template Manager, your edits will
immediately and automatically be applied to any rooms that use that template, without you
having to reassign the template.

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5 Apache Systems

5.1 What are Apache Systems?

Apache Systems allows you to describe the characteristics of systems supplying the heating,
ventilating and air conditioning requirements of rooms. The system specifications entered here
are used for sizing central plant and calculating fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

5.2 Viewing and editing Apache Systems

Each room is assigned an Apache System on the Room Data System tab. (In the case of an
unconditioned room, the system is set to ‘None’.). The system handles the room’s heating,
cooling and air conditioning needs in the modules ApacheSim ASHRAE Loads and CIBSE Loads.
An exception to this rule applies in ApacheSim when the room features in an ApacheHVAC
system included in the simulation. In this case the ApacheHVAC system replaces the Apache
System for the room in question.
The Apache Systems dialog allows you to create systems and set their properties. They can then
be assigned to rooms, either in Room Data or indirectly via the assignment of room templates.
The Apache Systems dialog also displays the values of parameters such as boiler size and
maximum flow rate that have been set by autosizing in ASHRAE Loads or CIBSE Loads.
Currently all Apache Systems are of type ‘Generic heating & cooling’. This provides a generic
approach to modelling a variety of systems. In future, other specific types of system will be
offered. The ‘Generic heating & cooling’ system provides, under the control of set points
specified in Room Data, room units supplying heating, cooling, and optionally humidification
and dehumidification to the room. In addition it allows a system air supply to be specified,
characterised by a supply condition (‘adjacent condition’ setting) and a flow rate, which may be
variable, specified in Room Data. Generic heating & cooling systems also handle any auxiliary
ventilation air supplies set for rooms on the Room Data Air Exchange tab.
The Apache System generic heating and cooling model has three key parameters, which can be
defined in summary as follows:
SCoP – the efficiency of the heating system
SSEER – the efficiency of the cooling system (if present)
Auxiliary Energy Value – energy required for fans, pumps and controls
These are the most important parameters featuring in the calculation of the energy consumed
by the space heating and cooling systems. Taken together with the fuels specified for heating
and cooling, they encapsulate most of the important data about system performance in relation
to carbon emissions.
On the Apache System dialog there are other parameters that are linked with the heating and
cooling system efficiencies and do not represent independently editable settings. For example,
the heating system’s Generator seasonal efficiency and Heating delivery efficiency are linked to
the SCoP by the relation
SCoP = HEFF * HDE

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 where the symbols have the following meanings:
HEFF – the heat generator seasonal efficiency
HDE – the heating delivery efficiency
so that in terms of carbon emissions HEFF and HDE can be viewed as secondary to SCoP.
On the cooling side an analogous relationship exists between SSEER and the following
parameters:
EER – the cooling system generator energy efficiency ratio or COP
CDE – the cooling delivery efficiency, and
HRP – the heat rejection pump and fan power fraction
namely
SSEER = EER * CDE / (1 + (EER + 1)*HRP)
In terms of carbon emissions EER, CDE and HRP can thus be viewed as secondary to the SSEER.
Auxiliary energy value is a concept that has been developed in connection with the UK NCM
methodology. This parameter indicates the power consumption of fans, pumps and controls
associated with the space heating and cooling systems. It is expressed in terms of Watts per
square metre of floor area served, and is incurred when the heating, cooling or ventilation
systems are running. For certain types of system, the calculation of auxiliary energy also
involves terms directly related to fan power associated with mechanical ventilation air supplies.
Plant profile (auxiliary energy) is a modulating profile specifying the times when auxiliary energy
will be included. Several profiles are given as options to choose from in a drop-down menu
including one independent option to choose any available profile.
Parameters labelled in blue are autosized parameters calculated by the loads analysis programs.
The values of autosized parameters do not affect simulation performance or
compliance/certification results. Buttons in the ASHRAE Loads and CIBSE Loads (ApacheCalc)
dialogs allow these parameters to be re-zeroed or set back to the values they had before the
last loads analysis.
A system data wizard that applies the UK National Calculation Methodology system information
can be used to set Apache System data. Choices made in the wizard are interpreted into the
parameters required by the Apache Systems dialog.

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 5.3 Apache Systems dialog
The dialog can be accessed by clicking on the icon ‘Apache Systems’ or choosing from the ‘Edit’
menu in Apache or <VE>Compliance view.

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5.3.1 List of Apache Systems

A list at the top of the dialog displays the Apache Systems in the model. You can add further
systems using the ‘Add’ button and remove them (if they are not in use) using the ‘Remove’
button. The properties of the currently selected system are displayed in the main dialog area.
A tick in the ‘Default?’ column indicates that the system will be assigned by default to imported
room templates. You can change the default system by double clicking in the ‘Default?’ column.
The system assignment may be overridden, like other template assignments, in Room Data.

5.3.2 General data for selected system

Name
The name of the system.
UK NCM system type
The type of system chosen in the UK NCM system data wizard (if used).

5.3.3 UK NCM system data wizard

This button launches the system data wizard that aids users in filling out the variables required
by the Apache Systems dialog. Refer to section 6 of this user guide for more details.

5.3.4 Main dialog area

The main dialog area displays the properties of the currently selected system and allows them
to be edited. Boxes labelled in blue represent autosized parameters calculated by the loads
analysis programs. The values of autosized parameters do not affect simulation performance or
compliance/certification results. They may not be edited in this dialog. They may, however, be
reset to zero or wound back to the values applying before the last loads analysis using options
on the ASHRAE and CIBSE Loads dialogs.
The main of the dialog is spread over eight tabs, as follows.

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 Heating

Generator
Fuel
The fuel supplying the heating system. This setting is used to total fuel consumptions and
determine carbon emissions.
Seasonal efficiency
The seasonal efficiency of the boiler or other heat source.
Is it a heat pump?
Tick this box is heat is supplied by a heat pump (applies to UK NCM only).
Heating delivery efficiency
The efficiency of heat delivery to the room from the system.
SCoP
The seasonal coefficient of performance of the entire heating system.
Generator size
The maximum load on the boiler or other heat source that occurred during the heating loads
analysis. An uneditable autosized parameter.

Heat recovery
Ventilation heat recovery effectiveness
The effectiveness of a generic sensible heat recovery device. If the recovery effectiveness is set
to zero no heat is recovered. The magnitude of the heat recovery is established from the system
air flow rate and the heat recovery return air temperature.

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 Heat recovery return air temperature
The return air temperature for the heat recovery device.

CH(C)P
Is this heat source used in conjunction with CHP?
Tick this box to specify that the system can receive heat input from the building’s CHP or CHCP
(tri-generation) plant, if it has one (see Section 7). If no CH(C)P has been defined for the
building, this setting is ignored. CH(C) is also ignored for Loads analyses.
What ranking does this heat source have after the CH(C)P plant?
If there is a CH(C)P system, the boiler ranking defines the sequence in which different heating
systems will be switched in to make up any shortfall in the heat provided by the CHP system.
Boilers with low boiler ranking will be switched on first. These will normally be the most
efficient. Where two boilers have the same boiler ranking the CHP plant will contribute the
same fraction of the heating load for both systems.

Cooling

Generator
Cooling/ventilation mechanism
The mechanism for cooling and ventilation. Select Air conditioning, Mechanical ventilation or
Natural ventilation. This setting determines the options available for the calculation of auxiliary
energy, and categorizes the system for UK compliance and certification. When Mechanical
Ventilation is selected, the rooms receiving mechanical ventilation should be indicated at room
level on the Room Data System tab, under the heading ‘Ventilation & exhaust’.
Fuel
The fuel supplying the cooling system – most commonly electricity. This setting is used to total
fuel consumptions and determine carbon emissions.

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 Nominal EER
The Energy Efficiency Ratio of the chiller or other cooling source generator under rated (applies
to UK NCM only).
Seasonal EER
The seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio of the chiller or other cold source generator.
Delivery efficiency
Efficiency of delivering the cooling energy to the room
SSEER
The system seasonal energy efficiency ratio of the chiller or other cold source generator plus the
heat rejection pumps and fans.
Generator size
The maximum load on the chiller or other cold source. An uneditable autosized parameter.
Absorption chiller
Tick this box if the cooling source is an absorption chiller. In this case the chiller will be assumed
to take heat from the heating system. This may in turn be supplied by heat from the CHP plant.
Operation When a system has the cooling/ventilation mechanism set to air conditioning the
option to define an absorption chiller is available on the cooling tab. When this is selected the
heating tab gives the option to define a CHCP system.

Operation
Changeover Mixed Mode free cooling mechanism
This parameter is only required for UK regulations compliance and certification. For a
changeover mixed mode system, indicate whether the free cooling is achieved by natural or
mechanical ventilation. If the system is not a changeover mixed mode system, use the setting
‘Not a CMM system’.

Heat rejection
Pump & fan power (% of rejected heat)
Heat rejection pump and fan power, expressed as a percentage of heat rejected by the chiller.

Hot Water
This tab allows you to describe the characteristics of the domestic hot water heating systems.
This approach is suitable for use in Building Regulations compliance tests, ApacheSim, ASHRAE
Loads and CIBSE Loads.

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 Generator
Data on this tab allows you to describe the characteristics of the domestic hot water heating
system associated with the Apache System. These properties are used in UK Building
Regulations compliance tests and ApacheSim. Domestic Hot Water (DHW) calculations feature
optionally in ASHRAE Loads and CIBSE Loads calculations.
The tab is accessed using the ‘Hot Water’ tab on the Apache Systems dialog. The parameters
describing the DHW and solar water heating systems are different for ApacheSim and the UK
NCM program SBEM. Refer to the VE Compliance View User Guide for further details of the
DHW implementation for SBEM.
DHW demand is calculated from settings on the Room Conditions tab in the Building Template
Manager or Room Data.
Is DHW served by ApacheHVAC boiler?
Tick this box if DHW is supplied by the ApacheHVAC system. A single heat source should then be
nominated in ApacheHVAC to meet the DHW demand.
DHW delivery efficiency
The efficiency of the delivery of Domestic Hot Water, expressed as a percentage. Heat is lost
from the pipes carrying hot water from the boiler (or other heat generator) to the taps, and the
resulting cooling means that a certain volume of water has to be run off before hot water
reaches the outlet. The delivery efficiency accounts for this process. If secondary circulation is
used the DHW delivery efficiency should be set to 100%, as the pipe heat loss is accounted for
elsewhere.

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 Set points
Mean cold water inlet temperature
The temperature at which mains water is supplied to the building.
Hot water supply temperature
The temperature at which hot water is delivered.

Storage
Is this a storage system?
Tick this box if the hot water system has a storage tank.
Storage volume
The volume of the DHW storage tank. This is used, with the following parameters, to calculate
tank losses.
Insulation type
This parameter and the following are alternative ways of specifying the insulation of the tank.
The options for ‘Insulation type’ are ‘Uninsulated’, ‘Loose jacket’ and ‘Factory insulated’.
Storage losses
The DHW storage tank loss factor (kWh/l/day).
The following tables from SAP (2005) may be helpful in setting this parameter.

Table 2: Hot water storage loss factor (kWh/(l.day)

Cylinder loss factor (L) kWh/(l.day)
Insulation
thickness (mm) Factory insulated cylinder Loose jacket
0 0.1425 0.1425
12 0.0394 0.0760
25 0.0240 0.0516
35 0.0191 0.0418
38 0.0181 0.0396
50 0.0152 0.0330
80 0.0115 0.0240
120 0.0094 0.0183
160 0.0084 0.0152
Note: Alternatively the heat loss factor, L, may be calculated for insulation thickness of t mm
as follows:
1) Cylinder, loose jacket L = 0.005 + 1.76/(t + 12.8)
2) Cylinder, factory insulated L = 0.005 + 0.55/(t + 4.0)

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 Table 2a: Volume factor for cylinders and storage combis
Volume Vc Volume Factor VF Volume Vc Volume Factor VF
40 1.442 180 0.874
60 1.259 200 0.843
80 1.145 220 0.817
100 1.063 240 0.794
120 1.000 260 0.773
140 0.950 280 0.754
160 0.908

When using the data in Table 2, the loss is to be multiplied by the volume factor.
2) Alternatively, the volume factor can be calculated using the equation
VF = (120 / Vc )1/3
Where:
Vc – volume of cylinder or storage, litres

Secondary circulation
Does the system have secondary circulation?
Tick this box if the hot water system has secondary circulation. A secondary circulation system
pumps water continuously round a circuit connecting the heat source to the outlets to provide
instant hot water.
Circulation Losses
The loss factor of the secondary circulation system, per unit length of pipework (W/m).
Pump Power
The rated power of the secondary system pump (kW).
Loop Length
The length of the secondary circulation system (m).

Solar water heating

This tab allows you to describe a solar water heating system feeding into the DHW system. The
system is assumed to consist of a solar panel using propylene glycol as the heat transfer
medium, linked to a heat exchanger that transfers the collected solar heat to a storage cylinder.
The mains cold water supply is preheated in this cylinder before being fed into the DHW storage
tank.

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 Solar panel
Is there a solar heating system?
Tick this box to indicate the existence of a solar water heating system.
Area
Aperture area of the solar panel (m2).
Azimuth
Panel azimuth angle in degrees clockwise from north.
Tilt
Panel tilt angle in degrees from horizontal.
Shading factor
If the solar panel is shaded by buildings or other objects the average shading effect can be
modelled by reducing the shading factor from the default value of 1.
Degradation factor
This factor accounts for the effects of soiling and aging of the panel.
Conversion efficiency at ambient temperature (η0), First order heat loss coefficient (a1),
Second order heat loss coefficient (a2)
Data on solar panels expresses the performance of the device in terms of a conversion efficiency
at ambient temperature, η0, and two heat loss coefficients, a1 and a2. The heat output of the
device is written in terms of these coefficients by the equation
W = η0 I – a1(T-Ta) – a2(T-Ta)2

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 where
W is the heat output per unit panel area
I is the incident solar irradiance (after allowing for shading and degradation)
T is the panel temperature, and
Ta is the outside air temperature.
Values for η0, a1 and a2 are available from solar panel manufacturers.
Flow rate
The fluid flow rate through the solar panel, expressed per unit panel area. A figure of 50 l/(h.m 2)
is typical.
Pump power
The rated power of the pump within the solar water heating system.
Heat exchanger effectiveness
The model assumes the storage tank is heated from the collector loop by a heat exchanger of
some kind, either an internal coil or an external exchanger. The heat exchanger effectiveness is
the ratio of the temperature drop across the heat exchanger on the collector loop side to the
maximum theoretical temperature drop (which would bring the collector loop fluid down to the
tank temperature).

Storage tank
Volume
Volume of the storage tank. This is used to calculate tank losses.
Storage loss at maximum temperature
The DHW storage tank loss factor (kWh/l/day). This is used, with the preceding parameter, to
calculate tank losses.
Tables 2 and 2a from SAP (2005), quoted above in relation to DHW storage, may be helpful in
setting this parameter.

Auxiliary energy
Auxiliary energy is energy consumed by fans, pumps and controls (excluding heat rejection).

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 Method
Auxiliary energy method
Select a method for the calculation of auxiliary energy. The options are:
Use SFPs – this method is stipulated for use by mechanically ventilated systems in the UK
compliance/certification benchmark buildings, and has limited application elsewhere.
Use SFPs, subject to minimum set by AEV – this method is stipulated for use by mechanically
ventilated systems in the UK compliance/certification benchmark buildings, and has limited
application elsewhere.
Use SFPs and AEV – sum contributions from explicitly calculated fan power, using SFPs defined
at both system and room level, and a term calculated from the auxiliary energy value. This
option is appropriate when there are fixed and ventilation dependent auxiliary contributions.
Use AEV (and any zone-level SFP) – calculate auxiliary energy from the AEV, and add in
contributions from any ventilation specified at room level, using the room SFP parameters. This
is the default, and the recommended method for UK compliance/certification analyses using the
UK NCM system data wizard.
Note: these options are not available in VE Compliance, where the auxiliary energy method is
forced to ‘NCM compliance (2010) method’ in all cases.
Depending on the choice made for Auxiliary energy method the following available options will
be adjusted.

Fans
Air supply mechanism (only available if Cooling/vent. Mechanism under Cooling System is
other than ‘Natural ventilation’)
This parameter is only required for UK regulations compliance and certification. Select the
appropriate mechanism from the given options covering centralised, zonal and local systems.

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 System specific fan power (only displayed for certain auxiliary energy methods)
The specific fan power (SFP) for the system. This is the power consumption of the system fans
for each l/s of air supplied to the rooms by the system, including by means of auxiliary
ventilation. For mechanically ventilated systems, the SFP contribution to auxiliary energy may
be accounted for either at system level, using this parameter, or at room level, using the SFPs
defined in Room Data.

Auxiliary energy
Auxiliary energy value (only available if AEV has been selected)
Energy use of fans, pumps and controls, expressed per unit floor area. Auxiliary energy
consumption is calculated from this parameter at times when there is a load on the system.
Equivalent to
The auxiliary energy value expressed in units of energy per unit floor area per year, normalised
to a basis of 3255 hours of operation per year. This parameter is uneditable.
Off-schedule heating/cooling AEV
The auxiliary energy value associated with a room when the room’s heating and cooling
availability profiles are both off.

Air supply

Outside air supply (‘system air supply’ in Vista)

Supply condition
Maximum flow rate
The maximum air flow rate supplied by the system. An uneditable autosized parameter.

Cooling air supply sizing

Air supply temperature difference (0 for no sizing)
The difference between the supply air and the room set point condition. Set this value to 0 if no
sizing is required.

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 Auxiliary mechanical ventilation (set on air exchange tab):
Maximum flow rate
The maximum air flow rate supplied by the auxiliary ventilation system. An uneditable autosized
parameter.

Cost

Cost tab inputs for CostPlan and IMPACT only, please refer to CostPlan User Guide for further
explanation.

Control

Master zone control

Master zone
A room specified here, which must be one of the rooms served by the Apache System, will be
treated as the master zone for that system, dictating whether heating and cooling are available
to other rooms served by the system (the ‘slave zones’). A room is said to be served by the
system if the system is assigned to that room in the ‘System’ field on the Room Data System tab.
The rules applying to this mode of control are as follows.
Master zone control only applies when the Master zone is assigned, and only during simulation,
not during Loads analyses.
When the master zone receives heat from the system the system is said to be in heating mode.
It then remains in heating mode after it ceases to receive heat, until such time as the master
zone receives cooling. It then switches to cooling mode, and it remains in cooling mode until the
master zone next receives heat, and so on. At the start of a simulation the state of the system is
initialised to heating mode.
In situations where master zone control applies:
When the system is in heating mode, the slave zones may receive heat (as dictated by their
set points and heating availability profiles) but they may not receive cooling.
When the system is in cooling mode, the slave zones may receive cooling but they may not
receive heat.

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 Rooms may only be dehumidified when they are also being cooled. No such constraint
applies to humidification.

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6 UK NCM System Data Wizard

6.1 What is the UK NCM System Data Wizard?

This utility allows you to describe the characteristics of heating, ventilating and air conditioning
systems using the method implemented in the BRE Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM). It
was developed for use in compliance testing for UK Building Regulations Part L2 (2006), but can
also be applied more widely. The system specifications entered here are interpreted into
Apache Systems, where they are used for sizing central plant and calculating fuel consumption
and carbon emissions. They are suitable for use in Building Regulations compliance tests,
ApacheSim, ASHRAE Loads and CIBSE Loads.

6.2 Using the UK NCM System Data Wizard

The wizard is accessed using the ‘UK NCM system data wizard’ button on the Apache Systems
dialog. The following NCM system types are available for selection:

The five tabs of the UK NCM system data wizard define different aspects of system
performance. Each tab is enabled only when relevant to the chosen system type. For example
for the type ‘Central heating using water: radiators’ the Cooling system tab will not be editable.

The UK NCM system data wizard translates the inputs into the following parameters which are
displayed at the bottom of the wizard and passed back to the Apache Systems:
Heating SCoP
Cooling SSEER
Auxiliary Energy Value

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 Where appropriate, heat recovery information is also transferred to the selected Apache
System.

The system types appearing at the top of the list that involve heating only, and do not specify a
ventilation mechanism, are assumed by default to be served by mechanical ventilation. In cases
where the building is naturally ventilated, this should be specified on the Apache Systems dialog
using the ‘Cooling/ventilation mechanism’ setting.

The following additional guidance is provided in the SBEM documentation, and applies to the
analogous settings in the UK NCM system data wizard:
The system type selected in the General sub-tab automatically brings with it some assumptions.
For example, whether mechanical ventilation is an integral part of the system and the degree of
local time and temperature control that is (or can be provided). The majority of system types
used in UK buildings can be found in the system type drop down box. However, there are a few
systems which require further guidance:
 VRF Systems have been removed, for these systems select ‘split or multisplit
system with natural ventilation’ – you will need to define a suitable efficiency.
Multisplit is suitable for use with VRF as it is essentially a type of split/multisplit
system. If these systems have additional mechanical ventilation, then this
mechanical ventilation rate should now be selected at zone level with a suitable
ventilation SFP.
 If Chilled ceiling is selected, the default assumption is that there is displacement
ventilation.
 Chilled ceiling with no mechanical ventilation – select ‘Chilled ceilings or passive
chilled beams and displacement ventilation’ and then set the specific fan power
to zero.
 Chilled ceiling with mixing ventilation – select ‘Chilled ceilings or passive chilled
beams and displacement ventilation’ and then use twice the actual specific fan
power in order to capture the effect of the higher ventilation rate.

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6.2.1 Heating system

UK NCM system data wizard dialog box: Heating system

Heat source
Type of heat generator (eg boiler) used in the system.
Fuel type
Fuel used by the heat generator chosen for the system.
Tick if this system also uses CHP
Tick to use a CHP system as the base load for this heating system.
Generator seasonal efficiency
Enter the seasonal efficiency of the heat generator if known. Accept the default if not known.
Does it qualify for ECAs?
Indicate whether the generator qualifies for ECAs (Enhanced Capital Allowances). Generators on
the ECA list can be expected to have improved efficiencies, and this is reflected in the default
seasonal efficiency value.
Was it installed on or after 1998?
This affects the default seasonal efficiency.

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6.2.2 Cooling system

UK NCM system data wizard dialog box: Cooling system

Pack chiller type

Type of cold generator (eg chiller) used in the system.
Pack chiller power
Choose the size of the cold generator chosen for the system.
Generator seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER)
Enter the seasonal EER of the heat generator if known. Accept the default if not known.
Does it qualify for ECAs?
Indicate whether the generator qualifies for ECAs (Enhanced Capital Allowances). Generators on
the ECA list can be expected to have improved efficiencies, and this is reflected in the default
seasonal efficiency value.
Generator nominal Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER)
Enter the seasonal EER of the heat generator if known. Accept the default if not known.
SBEM (only) : Mixed mode operation strategy
Tick on if a mixed mode operation strategy is in use. This applies to SBEM only.

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 Note: For systems that activate this tab, the Cooling/Vent. Mechanism (on the Ventilation tab)
will be set to Air conditioning.

6.2.3 System adjustment:

UK NCM system data wizard dialog box: System adjustment

Ductwork and AHU leakage

Specify the AHU and Ductwork leakage standards for the system.
Specific Fan Power for the system
Choose the specific fan power for the system. Note: the default value does not comply with the
2006 building regulations and should not be used for new buildings.

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6.2.4 Metering Provision (Control corrections)

UK NCM system data wizard dialog box: Metering Provision

Control provision
Choose whether the system has metering provision and whether the metering can warn about
“out of range values”.
Control correction
The used Control Correction factor is displayed here, according to the settings under Control
provision

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6.2.5 Ventilation

UK NCM system data wizard dialog box: Ventilation

Ventilation
Available cooling/ventilation mechanisms include
 Air conditioning
 Mechanical ventilation and
 Natural ventilation.
However, depending on the selected system type, not all options are available.
For example, if a system type has been selected that allows for a cooling system (Cooling system
– tab has been activated), cooling/ventilation mechanism can only be set to Air conditioning.
For those systems the Cooling system tab has not been activated, the user can select between
Mechanical and Natural ventilation.
Select the Air supply mechanism from the drop-down list. Note: This option is only available for
Cooling/Vent. mechanisms other than Natural ventilation.

Heat recovery

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 Indicate the type of heat recovery used in the system (if any). Is the Heat recovery seasonal
efficiency is known, it can be specified here. A default value is used otherwise.

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7 Renewables
The effect of some common renewable technologies can be included in ApacheSim analysis for
both dynamic thermal modelling and for compliance analysis for Part L2. Available renewable
systems are:

 Photovoltaic (PV) systems

 Wind generators
 Combined heat and power (CHP)
 Solar water heating systems (see section 5 Apache Systems)
Renewables can be accessed from the ‘globe’ icon on the toolbar.

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 7.1 PVS Generator
This dialog allows you to describe a photovoltaic system supplying electrical power to the
building. Specify the existence of such a system by adding one or more entries to the list of PV
panels.

7.1.1 PV array type and performance parameters

7.1.1.1 PV array type

Choose a PV array type from the 4 options
 Monocrystalline silicon
 Polycrystalline silicon
 Amorphous silicon
 Other thin films

7.1.1.2 Derive performance parameters from PV array type?

If you do not have specific data on the performance of the PV array you can tick this box to
apply suitable defaults based on the PV array type.
The four parameters following are provided as standard by PV array manufacturers.

7.1.1.3 PV module nominal efficiency (η0)

The nominal efficiency is the fraction of solar radiant power that is converted to useful electrical
power at a standard temperature and solar irradiance.

7.1.1.4 Nominal cell temperature (NOCT)

The cell temperature under standard test conditions – ambient air temperature 20°C and
irradiance either 800 or 1000 W/m2.

7.1.1.5 Reference irradiance for NOCT

There is a degree of standardisation in the presentation of PV performance data. For example
there are Standard Test Conditions (STCs) for current, voltage, output power and temperature
coefficient, and Standard Operating Conditions (SOCs) for NOCT. However, two standards are in
use for SOCs, based on irradiances of 800 and 1000 W/m2 respectively, so one should always
check the stated conditions.

7.1.1.6 Temperature coefficient for module efficiency ( )

This parameter describes the rate at which the panel’s conversion efficiency falls off with
increasing cell temperature.
η = η0 [1 – β (Tc – Ta)]
where
η is the conversion efficiency at cell temperature Tc and outside temperature Ta

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7.1.2 Adjustment factors

7.1.2.1 Degradation factor

Field measurements of a representative sample of PV modules may show that the PV module
powers are different than the nameplate rating or that they experienced light-induced
degradation upon exposure (even crystalline silicon PV modules typically lose 2% of their initial
power before power stabilizes after the first few hours of exposure to sunlight). The
degradation factor accounts for this drop in performance.

7.1.2.2 Shading factor

If the PV array is shaded by buildings or other objects the average shading effect can be
modelled by reducing the shading factor from the default value of 1002E

7.1.2.3 Electrical conversion efficiency

This is the combined efficiency of conversion of DC electrical power from the panel to delivered
AC electrical power.

7.1.3 PV panel data

Up to 4 panels can be added. For each panel the following data must be entered:

7.1.3.1 Area
The area of the panel (m2).

7.1.3.2 Azimuth
Panel azimuth angle in degrees clockwise from north.

7.1.3.3 Tilt
Panel tilt angle in degrees from horizontal.

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 7.2 Wind Generator

This dialog allows you to describe a wind generator supplying electrical power to the building.

7.2.1 Wind generator parameters

7.2.1.1 Wind generator

Tick this box to specify the existence of a wind generator.

7.2.1.2 Hub height

The height of the turbine hub above the ground.

7.2.1.3 Rated power

The maximum output power of the turbine.

7.2.2 Power curve

Click on Define power curve to display the power curve parameters for editing.
You can use the default power curve or specify your own.

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 The power curve is defined as output power, here expressed as a fraction of rated power, as a
function of wind speed. The first point on the power curve, which is uneditable, is (0,0). The
second point indicates the cut-in wind speed – the wind speed at which the generator will start
to generate power. The power output at this point is uneditable at the value zero.
Above a certain wind speed (the furling or governing speed) the turbine power output will be
automatically limited in order to prevent damage to the machine. The best wind turbines will
continue to deliver rated power in very high wind speeds, but many will shut down instead. The
default power curve has a cut-off wind speed of 25 m/s, but wind speeds of this magnitude are
rare.
The wind speed plotted on the power curve is the wind speed at hub height. This is calculated as
a function of meteorological wind speed recorded on the weather file and the terrain type
specified in APlocate.

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 7.3 CHP Generator

This dialog allows you to describe a combined heat and power plant supplying heat and
electrical power to the building.
As currently configured, the CHP system operates a heat matching strategy, attempting to
provide the heating needs of the building while generating electricity as a by-product. The
operation of the CHP plant is dependent on:
The enabling of the appropriate heating systems for CHP input.
The minimum and maximum power output of the CHP system.
The profile for heat matching.
Each heating system (Apache System, ApacheHVAC boiler or ApacheHVAC direct acting heater)
must be enabled for CHP input if it is to receive heat from the CHP system. This is done by
ticking the CHP box for the system in question. Next to the CHP box is a Boiler Ranking
parameter which allows you to specify the order in which the boilers are switched on when the
CHP system is either off or unable to meet the total heating load. Boilers with low Boiler
Ranking will be switched on first. These will normally be the most efficient. Where two boilers

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 have the same Boiler Ranking the CHP plant will contribute the same fraction of the heating
load for both systems.

7.3.1 CHP availability and fuel

7.3.1.1 CHP generator

Tick this box to specify the existence of a CHP system.

7.3.1.2 Fuel type

The fuel burnt by the CHP system.

7.3.2 Performance at rated output

The following properties define the performance of the generator at its rated output.

7.3.2.1 Heat output

The maximum heat output

7.3.2.2 Thermal efficiency

The thermal efficiency (heat output divided by energy content of fuel burnt) at rated output.

7.3.2.3 Power efficiency

The power efficiency (power output divided by energy content of fuel burnt) at rated output.

7.3.3 Performance at minimum output

The following properties define the performance of the generator at its minimum heat output.

7.3.3.1 Heat output

The minimum heat output, expressed as a fraction of the rated heat output.

7.3.3.2 Thermal efficiency

The thermal efficiency at the minimum heat output.

7.3.3.3 Power efficiency

The power efficiency at the minimum heat output.

7.3.4 Profiles

7.3.4.1 Profile for heat matching strategy

Select a variation profile that defines the periods when the CHP system will attempt to match
the heating load. The usual setting is ‘on continuously’.

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7.3.4.2 Profile for power matching strategy
This feature is not available in version 5.6. When enabled it will allow the CHP system to operate
a power matching strategy and various combinations of heat-matching and power-matching.

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8 Thermal Analysis Programs

Thermal analysis program buttons

Three types of thermal analysis may be carried out in the Apache view:
CIBSE Loads (ApacheCalc)
ASHRAE Loads
ApacheSim (Dynamic Simulation)
ASHRAE Loads replaces CIBSE Loads (ApacheCalc) when the Loads Methodology option in the
Settings menu is set to ASHRAE. Batch simulation allows a number of ApacheSim dynamic
simulations to be performed one after the next.

8.1 CIBSE Loads (ApacheCalc)

CIBSE Loads (ApacheCalc) carries out heat loss and heat gain calculations in accordance with
procedures laid down by CIBSE.
Results from CIBSE Loads are viewed in the program Vista.
Please refer to the CIBSE Loads (ApacheCalc) User Guide and the Vista User Guide for further
information.

8.2 ASHRAE Loads

ASHRAE Loads carries out heat loss and heat gain calculations in accordance with the ASHRAE
Heat Balance Method.
Results from ASHRAE Loads are viewed in Vista.
Please refer to the ASHRAE Loads User Guide and the Vista User Guide for further information.

8.3 ApacheSim (Dynamic Simulation)

ApacheSim performs simulations of building thermal performance based on dynamic thermal
analysis.
ApacheSim also offers options for performing simulations integrated with the system simulation
program ApacheHVAC and the bulk air flow simulation program MacroFlo.
Results from ApacheSim are viewed in the program Vista

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 8.4 Batch Simulation
Batch simulation allows a number of ApacheSim dynamic simulations to be performed one after
the next. These batches are performed upon separately saved building models. The name of the
results file and the simulation settings used for the batch simulation are created by entering
data in the ApacheSim dialog for each project and by then saving the simulation settings.

All of the batch simulation results are held in the Vista sub directory of the relevant project and
can be viewed in Vista.

Please refer to the following manuals for further information:

CIBSE Loads (ApacheCalc) User Guide
ApacheSim User Guide
ApacheHVAC User Guide
MacroFlo User Guide
Vista User Guide

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9 Apache Menu Bar
The Apache menu bar has the following items: File, Edit, View, Settings and Help.

9.1 File menu

The File menu has the same functions in all VE modules, allows project to be saved,
open new project, open existing project, archive project.

9.2 Edit menu

9.2.1 Undo

Reverse the last action.

9.2.2 Redo

Reverse an Undo action.

9.2.3 Query

Use this option to edit or view or edit the attributes of a single selected object. The object may
be a room or a building element, depending on the current level of decomposition. In the case
of an element, with the decomposition mode set to adjacency, the Query function allows you to
edit the element’s thermal boundary condition.

9.2.4 Selection Set

9.2.4.1 Custom Attributes

Launches the Edit Group Attributes dialog.

9.2.4.2 Constructions
Launches the Assign Constructions dialog.

9.2.4.3 Assign Template

Launches the Assign Templates dialog.
See previous sections for guidance on use of the selection set features.

9.2.5 Apache Systems

Launches the Apache Systems dialog.

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9.2.6 Renewables

Launches the Renewables dialog.

9.3 View menu

9.3.1 Toolbars

Hide or Display the toolbars in Apache.

9.3.2 Rotation, Zoom etc

For the options on this menu, please refer to the ModelIT User Guide.

9.3.3 Tabular Room Data

Opens the Tabular Room Data dialog.

9.3.4 Colour, Viewports & ModelViewer

For the options on this menu, please refer to the ModelIT User Guide.

9.4 Tools menu

9.4.1 Building Template Manager

Opens Building Template Manager dialog to edit current Templates in the project.

9.4.2 APLocate

Opens the ApLocate dialog to set location and weather file.

9.4.3 Report Generator

Opens the ShowMe Report Generator dialog, van be used to generate a report of model inputs.

9.4.4 Room Group Creator

Opens the Room Group Creator dialog, can be used to aid Room Groups generation.

9.4.5 Auto-save

Setup auto-save options for the project.

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9.4.6 Colour table

For the options on this menu, please refer to the ModelIT User Guide.

9.4.7 Preferences

Edit User Preferences for project such as Units and ModelViewer settings.

9.4.8 ApPro

Opens Profiles Database.

9.4.9 ApCDB

Opens Constructions Database.

9.5 Apache menu

9.5.1 Save

Saves current project.

9.5.2 Export Room Data

This facility allows you to export the room data and geometry data to a text (.TXT) file, for
subsequent use in other applications (eg a spreadsheet).

Export Room Data File dialog box

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 9.6 Settings menu

9.6.1 Building

This option displays the Building Settings dialog box.

Building Settings dialog box

The building base orientation rotates the whole site clockwise by the angle chosen. If the
orientation angle is zero, the top of the plan view screen is north. If the orientation angle is set
at, for example, 45 degrees, then the top of the plan view screen is now north-east, and what
was the north face of the building will now be the north-east face.
The north direction is shown by an arrow in the dialog bar at the bottom of the Apache view
window. Note that you should be in a plan view when referring to the north arrow. Orientation
is set in ModelIT.
Note that changing this angle does not visually rotate the building in the workspace plan view.
The Control Temperature Radiant Fraction is the radiant fraction of the thermostats sensing
room temperature in all rooms, for the purposes of room temperature control in ApacheSim,
ASHRAE Loads and CIBSE Loads. For rooms modelled in ApacheHVAC, this parameter is
overridden by parameters set in that program.

9.6.2 Carbon emission factors for fuels

This option deals with parameters used in the calculation of carbon emissions and energy
consumptions.
‘Carbon emissions data for fuels’ lists the fuels available in the Apache and ApacheHVAC views
and allows you to set their carbon emission factors. Default figures can be chosen for both the
current Part L2 and Section 6 of the England & Wales and Scottish Building Regulations
respectively.

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 Fuels data dialog box

9.6.3 Loads Methodology

This option opens the Loads Methodology dialog box, and allows you to choose between
ASHRAE and CIBSE for steady state heat loss or heat gain calculations.
The calculate Loads button at the bottom of the Apache workspace displays the current selected
Loads methodology.

9.6.4 Layer properties

This options opens the Layer Properties dialog, and allows the manipulation of zone layer
properties. The Properties tab allows the user to swith layers ON/OFF. This option allows part
of the model to be made inactive (switched OFF). For the purpose of reducing the number of
thermal zones, rooms, or spaces during initial simulation runs or for isolating a particular
thermal zone, may sometimes be useful to place thermal zones on a separate layer that can

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 then be turned OFF. This turns the space grey on the workspace and has the following outcome:

1. Thermal zones or three-dimensional spaces on layers that are turned OFF will be excluded
from thermal simulation. The icons for these zones will be grey in the Model Browser and such
spaces will not be present in the Model Viewer.

2. No solar gain will be present on exterior roofs, walls, fenestration, etc. for these zones.

3. No solar gain will be present on surfaces of interior walls, ceilings, etc. that are facing the
interior of these zones.

4. The SunCast calculations will not need to be re-run, so long as the geometry for the spaces
that remain active has not changed.

5. There will be no heat transfer in either direction across adjacencies where these zones abut
other zones i.e., shared walls, floors, ceilings, etc. will be treated as adiabatic.

6. For constructions of shared walls, floors, ceilings, etc., the physical properties of surfaces
facing into zones that remain on active layers will be unchanged. However, the thermal mass
effects of these shared constructions will be somewhat reduced. The boundary conditions for
conductive elements of the building are dictated by conditions in the spaces either side of the
element. These spaces may be internal or external. Where an adjacent room has been rendered
inactive (for example by it being assigned in inactive layer, or not being ticked for inclusion in a
<VE> Compliance analysis) the conditions on the far side are assumed to be identical to those on
the near side (a reflexive boundary condition). In this way the thermal mass of the element is
taken into account, while the time-averaged heat transfer through it tends to zero.

Refer to ApacheSim Calculation Methods section 3.5 Boundary Conditions for more information.

9.7 Help menu

This option provides help on the Apache view.

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10 Apache Toolbar
The Apache toolbar provides a quick route to some of the options on the Apache pull-down
menus.

10.1 Select object

Switch to ‘select object’ mode after operations in which a mouse click is interpreted in
another way. ‘Select object’ is currently the only mode used in the Apache view.

10.2 Edit selection set constructions

Edit or view the construction type for the selected building elements. See ‘Changing the
construction type for selected elements’.

10.3 Edit selection set custom attributes

Edit or view the Room Data for selected rooms. See ‘Editing Room Data’ for a set of rooms for
details.

10.4 Assign Room Thermal Template to selection set

Assign a Room Thermal Template to the selected rooms. See ‘Assigning a Room Thermal
Template’ to a set of rooms.

10.5 Fuels Data

Edit carbon emission factors for fuels.
Default location is taken from settings in APlocate. Fuel data emission factors are available for
different regions and climate zones.

10.6 Apache profile database manager

Run APpro, the Apache profile database manager. APpro is used to create and edit profiles,
which define the time-variation of many parameters input to the Apache and MacroFlo
programs. Profiles are also accessed by the Template Manager.
Please refer to the APpro User Guide for information on using the APpro utility.

10.7 Apache construction database manager

Run APcdb, the Apache construction database manager. APcdb is used to create and edit
construction types, which are assigned to building elements in the Apache view.
Please refer to the APcdb User Guide for further information.

10.8 Apache weather/location database manager

Run APlocate, the Apache weather and location database manager. APlocate is used to specify
weather and location data to be used by the Apache thermal analysis programs.

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 Please refer to the APlocate User Guide for further information.

10.9 Query
Edit or view the attributes of a single selected object. The object may be a room or a building
element, depending on the current level of decomposition. In the case of an element, with the
decomposition mode set to adjacency, the Query function allows you to edit the element’s
thermal boundary condition.

10.10 Tabular Room Data

Edit or view the attributes of the selected room(s) in tabular form.

10.11 Apache Systems

Edit or view Apache Systems. The Apache Systems allow you to describe the characteristics of
systems supplying the heating, ventilating and air conditioning requirements of rooms. For
details see the description of Apache Systems.

10.12 Renewables
Edit or view renewables systems. The Renewables allow you to describe the characteristics of
systems supplying energy to the building such as photovoltaics, wind turbines and CHP.

10.13 Edit Multiple Adjacencies

Edit Adjacent Condition of multiple external surfaces in the current selected rooms.
External walls, Ground Floors and Roofs can be edited simultaneously.

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