Strategic Planning and Standards Group: email sp&s@cornwall.gov.uk.

Ref: B.M1.10 - Mechanical and Electrical Design Criteria

Title: Solar gains and shading

Rev: 0
Date: October 2012

Solar gains and shading generally

The application of solar shading can reduce solar gain in summer reducing
air-conditioning costs and allows solar heat gain in winter, thereby saving
heating costs. Solar shading is generally achieved with internal/external
blinds or tinted glazing.

This section documents the standards that must be complied with (via
Building Regulations and Health & Safety Executive) and refer to some
sources of advice and guidance. Meeting these national standards is
sufficient.

Legislation, regulations and advice documents

Various regulations, codes, standards and guidance on solar gains and
shading are applicable and these include the following:-
The Building Regulations, Approved documents L2, Conservation of
fuel and power
CIBSE TM37 Design for improved solar shading control
BSRIA, Rules of Thumb ( BG 9/ 2011) - Guidelines for building
services (5th Edition)
BRE Report 364, Solar shading of buildings
CIBSE Guide F, Energy efficiency in buildings
Building Research Establishment Trust Report FB9 Summertime
solar performance of windows with shading devices
Building Research Establishment, Information Paper I P10/ 95.
Daylighting design for display-screen equipment (1995)
The Health and Safety ( Display Screen Equipment)
Regulations 1992
(continued on page 2)







Ref: B.M1.9 - Mechanical and Electrical Design Criteria

Title: Solar gains and shading

Rev: 0
Date: October 2012














































(continued from page 1)

For schools,
Only one of the following parameters can be exceeded:

There should be no more than 120 hours when the temperature in
the classroom rises above 28C
The average internal to external temperature difference should not
exceed 5C (i.e. the internal temperature should be no more than
5C above the external temperature on average)
The internal temperature during occupied hours should not exceed
32C.

In buildings other than schools
Reasonable provision would be to:

Limit solar and internal casual gains to 35 W/m or
Demonstrate that internal temperatures do not exceed 28C for more
than a reasonable number of hours (e.g. 20 hrs/annum for offices).

External blinds generally are more efficient than internal blinds for reducing
solar gains.

Horizontal shading devices are most effective at reducing peak summer
solar gain, but large overhangs can reduce the availability of daylight.

Overhangs are most effective above south, southeast or southwest facing
windows.

In spaces where good day-lighting is required but which could be prone to
overheating, high performance glass with a high visible transmittance and
low g value (total solar transmittance) should be considered.

Where computers etc are used, windows shall be fitted with a suitable
system of adjustable covering to attenuate the daylight falling on the
workstation. Usually this will usually mean adjustable blinds the occupant
can control. Such blinds may be required in addition to special glazing or
external shading for control of solar gain. Blinds should be opaque/close
woven with a visible transmittance less than 0.1.



Strategic Planning and Standards Group: email sp&s@cornwall.gov.uk.