DGNB CRITERION TEC1.

ADAPTABILITY OF TECHNICAL
SYSTEMS

CORE AND SCHEME SHEET

Offices Version 2014

TOPIC
Technical Quality

CRITERIA GROUP
Technical Quality

RELEVANCE FACTOR
1
SHARE OF TOTAL SCORE
2.0%

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TEC1.4 ADAPTABILITY OF TECHNICAL SYSTEMS

OBJECTIVES AND RELEVANCE

Amongst a building’s many components, its technical systems are subject to the most rapid change, and yet
they exert a major influence over its proper functioning. The adaptability of technical systems thus holds a
key to buildings’ sustainability.

Highly adaptable technical systems (e.g. responding to changing framework conditions) can make a deci-
sive contribution to user satisfaction, the building’s service life and running costs. The objective for planning
and constructing buildings today must thus be to make future changes as easy as possible.

Additional Explanation

Adaptable technical systems can easily be modified to meet new requirements. New requirements for build-
ing systems typically arise from new users or spatial configurations, but can also result from technical de-
velopments or changes to legal requirements.

Technical systems may be considered particularly sustainable if their adaptation can be effected with mini-
mum resource consumption. The ease with which technical systems can be adapted to changing require-
ments also contributes positively to the flexibility and convertibility of the building as a whole.

METHOD

The adaptability of the following items is assessed:

 sewage, water, and gas installations

 hot water systems
 ventilation and air-conditioning systems
 power installations
 telephone and information technology systems
 conveyor mechanisms
 use specific systems (no evaluation)
 building automation

The following indicators help to identify factors determining the adaptability:

1. Access and spare spatial capacity in technical centres

2. Adapting operating temperatures to incorporate regenerative energies
3. Suitability of lift system for later change
4. System integration across relevant trades

The actual configuration is assigned to a pre-determined group contributing to a corresponding overall

score. Indicators which cannot be evaluated due to the specific nature of the buildings technical systems are
deemed to be met (e.g. indicators evaluating the adaptability of lifts are deemed to be met in buildings which
do not include any lifts).

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TEC1.4 ADAPTABILITY OF TECHNICAL SYSTEMS

The building can be divided into various areas, and the checklist may then to be applied individually to each
area where necessary. The overall result is based on an area weighting. The calculation must be presented
clearly.

EVALUATION

1. Access and spare spatial capacity in technical centres

1.1 Access to all of the buildings technical equipment components for retrofitting and exchange

TABLE 1

DESCRIPTION CLP

Limited access. Transport and exchange of all components requires 1

considerable building work, e. g. ground works, removal of reinforced
concrete parts.

Good access, assembly openings, doors and halls provided in ade- 10

quate size and number. Transport and exchange of components
possible through planned, simple structural measures.

Good access, assembly openings, doors and halls provided in ade- 15

quate size and number. Transport and exchange of components
possible without structural measures.

The ease of replacing or retrofitting any item is limited by the dimensions and weight of its largest or heavi-
est components part and their transport requirements. Corridor and door heights and widths, staircase di-
mensions, and lift loads must be considered.

At least 80 % of total net floor area in technical centres must be taken into consideration.

1.2 Design

TABLE 2

DESCRIPTION CLP

The design features verifiable spare capacity in technical centres 5

resulting from design stage liaison between client and design team.

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TEC1.4 ADAPTABILITY OF TECHNICAL SYSTEMS

1.3 Access in vertical ducts and shafts

TABLE 3

DESCRIPTION CLP

Vertical ducts and shafts of all trades provide sufficient access for 5
later retrofitting

1.4 Spare capacity in vertical ducts and shafts

1.4.1 Shafts and ducts for water (heating, sanitary, and cooling), electrical and IT supply

TABLE 4

SPARE CAPACITY FOR LATER MODIFICATION CLP

Between 10 % and 20% spare capacity 5

More than 20 % spare capacity 10

1.4.2 Shafts and ducts for ventilation

TABLE 5

SPARE CAPACITY FOR LATER MODIFICATION CLP

Evidence of spare capacity in design is provided in liaison with the 5

client.

1.4.3 Lift shafts

TABLE 6

SPARE CAPACITY FOR LATER MODIFICATION CLP

Evidence of spare capacity in design is provided in liaison with the 5

client. Larger power plant areas and shaft dimensions allow for new
concepts (e. g. TWIN for high rise buildings, greater travel speeds).

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TEC1.4 ADAPTABILITY OF TECHNICAL SYSTEMS

2. Adapting operating temperatures to incorporate regenerative energies

2.1 Heat distribution and transfer system

TABLE 7

DESCRIPTION CLP

Heat transfer is designed for an average hot water temperature of 1

60°C or greater.

Heat transfer is designed for an average hot water temperature of 7.5

45-60°C.

Heat transfer is designed for an average hot water temperature of 12.5

30-45°C or lower.

2.2 Cooling distribution and transfer system

TABLE 8

DESCRIPTION CLP

Cooling transfer is designed for an average coolant temperature of ≤ 1

14°C.

Cooling transfer is designed for an average coolant temperature of 7.5

>14°C to < 19°C.

Cooling transfer is designed for an average coolant temperature of ≥ 12.5

19°C.

Where documentation for retrofitting for a cooling system is provided, this is evaluated in line with the tem-
perature levels.
If the building does not have a cooling transfer system then the evaluation is omitted.
Cooling systems which are required for dehumidification are not taken into account.

3. Suitability of lift system for later change

TABLE 9

DESCRIPTION CLP

Current standard including facility to update control system 5

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TEC1.4 ADAPTABILITY OF TECHNICAL SYSTEMS

4. System integration across relevant trades

4.1 System condition and facility for integration

TABLE 10

DESCRIPTION CLP

Other versions 1

Open and standardised protocols are used in the relevant networks 10

for the communication across trades and systems.

Project planning and implementation, and integration of relevant 15

systems into a building automation system correspond to the princi-
ples of EN ISO 16484-1.
Open and standardised protocols are used in the relevant networks
for the communication across trades and systems.

4.2 Integrated functions into superordinate system

TABLE 11

FUNCTIONS CLP

Access control 1 point each

 Burglar alarm per integrated
 Presence detection element
 Weather station
 Sun protection maximum of 10
 Glare protection points can be
 Lighting attained
 Heating
 Ventilation
 Cooling
 Lift systems
 Energy management
 Sanitary
 Window contact

10

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TEC1.4 ADAPTABILITY OF TECHNICAL SYSTEMS

Conversion table

TABLE 12

CHECKLIST POINTS (CLP) EVALUATION POINTS

VALUE LIMIT G 10 1

REFERENCE VALUE R 50 5

TARGET VALUE Z 100 10

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

Examples of possible evidence include the following items. The allocation of points for individual indicators
must be backed up by comprehensive and plausible evidence.

1. Access and spare spatial capacity in technical centres

 Height and width of the corridors and doors and dimensions of the stairway where appropriate,e. g.
through extracts from the plans
 Dimensions and load bearing capacity of the lift, e. g. through extracts from the data sheet
 Photographic documentation of the assembly openings
 Verifiably planned reserves in the technical centres, e. g. by planning documents
 Verification of the accessibility of the vertical shafts/paths, e. g. through photographic documenta-
tion
 Verification of the spatial reserves of the vertical shafts/paths, e. g. through planning documents or
photographic documentation

2. Adapting operating temperatures to incorporate regenerative energies

 Design of the heat and cooling transfer (e. g. planned flow and return temperatures) through corre-
sponding extracts from the planning documents

3. Suitability of lift system for later change

 Data sheet of the lift system installed

 Commentary/assessment of the corresponding specialist planner

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TEC1.4 ADAPTABILITY OF TECHNICAL SYSTEMS

4. System integration across relevant trades

 Commissioned services for system integration, e. g. through extracts from the contracts
 Extracts from the formulated total concept for technical building equipment

REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

 EN 13321. Offene Datenkommunikation für die Gebäudeautomation und Gebäudemanagement -

Elektrische Systemtechnik für Heim und Gebäude. Berlin: Beuth Verlag. April 2006
 DIN EN 13779. Lüftung von Nichtwohngebäuden - Allgemeine Grundlagen und Anforderungen für
Lüftungs- und Klimaanlagen und Raumkühlsysteme. Berlin: Beuth Verlag. September 2007
 DIN EN 14908. Firmenneutrale Datenkommunikation für die Gebäudeautomation und Gebäude-
management Gebäudedatennetzprotokoll. Berlin: Beuth Verlag. November 2007
 DIN EN 50090. Elektrische Systemtechnik für Heim und Gebäude (ESHG). Berlin: Beuth Verlag.
December 2011
 DIN EN ISO 16484-1. Systeme der Gebäudeautomation (GA) - Teil 1: Projektplanung und –
ausführung. Berlin: Beuth Verlag. March 2011

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