SANS 10400-XA Terms in Plain Language

Windows, glazed doors and similar glazed elements forming part of the building envelope.

A measure of heat transfer through an element. Lower values generally mean better insulation performance.

Solar heat gain coefficient. It describes how much solar heat passes through glazing.

The floor area basis used for glazing percentage checks, applied per storey where required.

The direction group assigned to an external facade using its outward-facing direction.

The direction perpendicular to the outside surface of an envelope element.

The extent to which an elevation receives sun and can contribute to heat gain.

A drawing note showing north, facade arrows and orientation decisions.

The outward depth of an overhang or shading element measured from the relevant wall or opening face.

The vertical relationship used to assess whether overhang shading is deep enough.

A shading feature outside the glazing that can reduce solar gain before it reaches the glass.

The extent to which shading reaches beyond the sides of an opening where required.

The combined roof covering, structure, ceiling, insulation and air layers being assessed.

A reflective layer whose performance depends on surface condition and adjacent air spaces.

Insulation that resists heat flow mainly through its thickness and installed condition.

A conductive path that can reduce the effective performance of an insulated assembly.

The complete wall build-up, including structure, cavity, insulation and finishes.

Thermal resistance. Higher values generally indicate better resistance to heat flow.

The ability of materials to store heat, often relevant to envelope performance.

A framed or low-mass wall system that often needs careful insulation evidence.

A floor that separates conditioned space from ground, outside air or an unconditioned zone.

The perimeter of a slab where heat loss and insulation continuity may need attention.

A floor condition where the assembly is in contact with or close to the ground.

The layers that make up the floor construction and affect its thermal behaviour.

Uncontrolled air movement through gaps, joints or penetrations in the envelope.

Keeping the air and thermal barrier connected across walls, roofs, floors and openings.

A service or structural item passing through the envelope that may need sealing.

Photos, checklists or notes showing sealing details were installed as specified.

Direct electric heating, often treated differently from efficient or renewable hot-water sources.

A system that moves heat rather than creating it directly through resistance heating.

Supplementary heating used when the main hot-water source cannot meet demand.

The portion of hot-water demand served by a particular energy source or system.

A room-by-room record of fittings, wattage, quantities and controls.

Dividing lighting circuits or controls so spaces can be operated independently.

A control that reduces lighting use when a space is unoccupied.

A product change that should be checked because energy performance may change.

Declared equipment performance from recognised product data or testing information.

The room or zone conditioned by a specific unit or system.

The heating or cooling output a unit can provide under stated conditions.

Thermostats, timers, zoning or automation used to manage equipment operation.

The drawings, schedules, product data and notes supporting a compliance result.

The ability to link every reported value back to a clear source.

The issue version of a drawing used for the compliance assessment.

A clear note explaining what the report does not confirm or what still needs review.