Fen Calc Fencalc XA2021 Training
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Fenestration study notes

Fenestration Fundamentals

Learn how to classify, measure, calculate and document fenestration compliance for SANS 10400-XA:2021 projects. These notes collect the course summary, SANS reference points, lesson prompts and key study reminders into one print-friendly page.

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Course Outcomes

  • Identify which glazed elements form part of the building envelope assessment.
  • Separate solar and non-solar orientations before checking SHGC requirements.
  • Calculate per-storey fenestration percentage using nett floor area.
  • Use area-weighted U-value and SHGC checks instead of single-window assumptions.
  • Recognise when shading, roof lights, air leakage and condensation rules need extra attention.

Lesson Summaries

Lesson 1 / 8 min

Scope and Key Terms

Set up the compliance mindset: envelope, fenestration, nett floor area, U-value and SHGC.

Objective: By the end of this lesson you should be able to decide what must be included in a fenestration check and what information you need before calculating.

Lesson 2 / 9 min

Orientation and Solar Groups

Classify elevations into the orientation groups used for solar heat gain checks.

Objective: By the end of this lesson you should be able to group each elevation before applying SHGC checks.

Lesson 3 / 9 min

Glazing Percentage

Calculate total fenestration area as a percentage of nett floor area for each storey.

Objective: By the end of this lesson you should be able to calculate the percentage that drives the applicable performance limits.

Lesson 4 / 11 min

U-Value and SHGC Weighting

Use area-weighted averages for mixed window and door types.

Objective: By the end of this lesson you should be able to calculate weighted U-value and SHGC values for a storey or orientation group.

Lesson 5 / 10 min

Shading and Roof Lights

Understand how compliant shading affects SHGC checks and why roof lights are assessed separately.

Objective: By the end of this lesson you should be able to identify when shading can be counted and when roof-light rules apply.

Lesson 6 / 8 min

Worked Compliance Workflow

Put the checks together in the same order you would use on a real project.

Objective: By the end of this lesson you should be able to run a clean first-pass fenestration assessment and know what to adjust when it fails.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Using glass-only U-values or SHGC values instead of whole-window values.
  • Mixing solar and non-solar orientation groups in one weighted average.
  • Calculating glazing percentage across the whole building instead of per storey.