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Origin: European

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Latest date for receipt of comments: 30.06.2002

Responsible committee:

B/540/1 European Standards For Thermal Insulation

Interested committees:

B/2; B/11, CB/2

Title:

Draft ENISO 15927-5 Hygrothermal performance of buildings - Calculation and presentation of climatic data
Part 5. Winter external design air temperatures and related data

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Introduction
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EUROPEAN STANDARD

DRAFT
prEN ISO 15927-5

NORME EUROPENNE
EUROPISCHE NORM

February 2002

ICS

English version

Hygrothermal performance of buildings - Calculation and

presentation of climatic data - Part 5: Winter external design air
temperatures and related wind data (ISO/DIS 15927-5:2002)
Wrme- und feuchteschutztechnisches Verhalten von
Gebuden - Berechnung und Darstellung von Klimadaten Teil 5: Bemessungstemperaturen der Auenluft im Winter
und zugehrige Winddaten (ISO/DIS 15927-5:2002)

This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for parallel enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 89.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which
stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language
made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Management Centre has the same
status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without notice and
shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMIT EUROPEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPISCHES KOMITEE FR NORMUNG

Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36

2002 CEN

All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved

worldwide for CEN national Members.

B-1050 Brussels

Ref. No. prEN ISO 15927-5:2002 E

prEN ISO 15927-5:2002 (E)

Contents
Foreword......................................................................................................................................................................3
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................3
1 Scope ......................................................................................................................................................................4
2 Normative references............................................................................................................................................4
3 Definitions, symbols and units ............................................................................................................................5
4

Methods of calculation.........................................................................................................................................6

5 Coincident wind speed .........................................................................................................................................7

6 Dominant wind direction.......................................................................................................................................7
7 Reference altitude .................................................................................................................................................8
8

Presentation of data .............................................................................................................................................8

Data representing a geographical area, region or zone ...................................................................................9

prEN ISO 15927-5:2002 (E)

Foreword
This document (prEN ISO 15927-5:2002) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 89 "Thermal
performance of buildings and building components", the secretariat of which is held by SIS, in collaboration with
Technical Committee ISO/TC 163 "Thermal insulation".
This document is currently submitted to the parallel Enquiry.
This standard is one of a series of standards on calculation methods for the design and evaluation of the thermal
and moisture related performance of buildings and building components.

prEN ISO 15927-5:2002 (E)

Introduction
The choice of design load for space heating is a matter of balancing user needs against cost. On the one hand
users expect a heating system to maintain the internal temperatures needed for health and comfort; on the other
hand, very high heating demand arises from time to time, when a rare meteorological extreme occurs. It is usually
uneconomic to design heating systems for rare extremes, as this would lead to high capital (initial) cost and usually
to lower operational efficiency of the system.
The practical solution is to choose an infrequent, but not extreme, climatological value as the basis for the design
load. This means that from time to time heat demand will exceed the systems capacity, with the result that internal
temperatures will be lower than desired, or that supplementary heating will be needed (e.g. from local heaters).
The methods of calculation in this standard include a standard return period or frequency, which is judged to give
an acceptable balance between risk of inadequate performance and cost.
Definition of winter external design temperatures also needs to reflect the interaction between buildings and their
external environment. Buildings possess thermal inertia and do not respond instantly to changes in weather
conditions. The time delay (or lag) before internal conditions are significantly affected varies between different
types of construction and heating method. For this reason it is necessary to define more than one type of winter
external design temperature, as follows:
a) Buildings of high thermal capacity (generally constructed of heavy materials) respond relatively slowly to heat
gains and losses; for these a two-day mean air temperature is appropriate.
b) Buildings of low thermal capacity (generally constructed of lightweight materials) respond more quickly to heat
gains and losses; for these an hourly mean air temperature is appropriate.
c) An hourly mean temperature is also suitable as the winter external design temperature for air handling heating
loads in air-conditioned buildings.
The influence of wind may be important in climates where infrequent, low temperatures are associated with
significant wind speeds. This standard specifies that average coincident wind speed and range of directions shall
be determined for the conditions of the winter external design temperature. The wind speed class shall be declared
in all cases and the dominant wind direction when it is significant.

Scope

This standard specifies the definition, method of calculation and method of presentation of the climatic data to be
used in determining the design heat load for space heating in buildings. These include:
the winter external design air temperatures;
the relevant wind speed and direction where appropriate.
Heat loss through the ground, which also contributes to the heat load for buildings, depends on longer term
temperature changes; methods for calculating ground heat loss are given in ISO 13370, Thermal performance of
buildings - Heat transfer via the ground - Calculation methods.

Normative references

The following normative documents contain provisions, which through reference in this text constitute provisions of
this standard. For dated references, subsequent amendments to, or revisions of, any of these publications do not
apply. However, parties to agreements based on this standard are encouraged to investigate the possibility of
applying the most recent editions of the normative documents indicated below. For undated references, the latest
edition of the normative document referred to applies. Members of ISO and IEC maintain registers of currently
valid International Standards

prEN ISO 15927-5:2002 (E)

ISO 6243

Climatic data for building design Proposed system of symbols

WMO - No. 8

Guide to meteorological instruments and methods of observation

Definitions, symbols and units

3.1 Definitions
For the purposes of this standard, the terms and definitions given in ISO 6243 and the following apply.
3.1.1
design heat load
maximum heat output required from the heating system of a building, in order to maintain required internal
temperatures without supplementary heating
3.1.2
winter external design temperature
low external air temperature having a defined probability of being exceeded, used to determine the design heat
load of a building
3.1.3
coincident wind speed
average wind speed during a period over which temperature is averaged
3.1.4
hourly temperature
average of instantaneous air temperatures during one hour
NOTE In the absence of continuous measurements, the air temperature observed at a particular moment (e.g. on the hour)
may be substituted.

3.1.5
daily maximum temperature
maximum dry-bulb air temperature during a day (00:00 to 23:59)
NOTE This can be either the highest hourly mean temperature or the recorded extreme on a maximum thermometer.

3.1.6
daily minimum temperatures
minimum dry-bulb air temperature during a day (00:00 to 23:59)
NOTE This can be either the lowest hourly mean temperature or the recorded extreme on a minimum thermometer.

3.1.7
2-day mean temperature
average of daily maximum temperature and daily minimum temperature on two consecutive days

3.2 Symbols, quantities and units

The letter symbols used differ in some cases from those given in ISO 6243, mainly to comply with developing
practice in other ISO Technical Committees e.g. ISO/TC 163. However, the principles of ISO 6243 have been
followed where possible.

prEN ISO 15927-5:2002 (E)

Symbol

Quantity

Unit

dx

daily maximum temperature

dn

daily minimum temperature

hm

hourly mean temperature

2dm

two day mean temperature

h*

hourly mean design temperature

*

2d

two day mean design temperature

Methods of calculation

4.1 Sources of data

The temperatures and wind speeds used to calculate the winter external design temperature shall have been
measured by the methods specified by the WMO Guide No.8.

4.2 Types of WEDT required

Two main types of winter external design temperature are required.
*
a two-day mean air temperature,
2d
,and

an hourly mean air temperature,

h* .

4.3 Two-day mean design temperature

The two-day mean design temperature,

*

2d
, is calculated as the two-day mean air temperature having an average

return period of one year (e.g. occurring 20 times in 20 years). The two-day mean air temperature on which it is
based may be calculated in one of several ways, depending on the data available:
a) Where hourly data are available,
2dm shall be calculated as the mean of 48 hourly values between 00:00 on
the first day and 23:00 on the second day:
b) Where three-hourly data are available,
2dm shall be calculated as the mean of 16 three-hourly values between
00:00 on the first day and 21:00 on the second day:
c) Where temperatures observed at 07:30 (
7:30), 14:30 (
14:30) and 21:30 (
21:30), or at other similar times, are
available,
2dm shall be calculated using equation (1) or the equivalent equation for the appropriate times.

2d m 

7:30 
14:30  2

21:30 day1 

7:30 
14:30  2

21:30 day 2

8

(1)

d) Where only daily maximum and daily minimum temperatures are available, a less accurate estimate shall be
obtained using equation (2):

prEN ISO 15927-5:2002 (E)

2d m 

d x 
d n day1 

d x 
d n day 2

(2)

The choice of calculation method has a relatively small influence on the value of

*

2d
which should be derived from

the most finely resolved data available for a location in order of priority from a) to d).

4.4 Hourly mean design temperature

Calculate
h as the hourly mean air temperature exceeded on average in 99 % of hours during the coldest month of
*

the year. It may be either:

a) calculated from hourly temperature data, sorted into a frequency distribution, or
b) estimated from three hourly data, where hourly data are not available, using quadratic interpolation to estimate
the temperatures in intermediate hours and then treating the estimated hourly data as in a).
The coldest month is the month with the lowest average monthly mean temperature. It shall be used as the month
from which hourly data are drawn, even in those years (if any) when the lowest monthly mean temperature occurs
in a different month.

4.5 Period of records of source data

All values of winter external design temperature shall, where possible, be based on measurements recorded over a
continuous period of at least 20 years, the period being stated with the data. If any data are missing from this
period, meteorological advice shall be sought to ensure that the results will be representative of the distribution of
infrequent low temperatures during the period.

Coincident wind speed

5.1 Determination of mean wind speed

Where continuously recorded wind speed are available, continuous average wind speeds shall be calculated as
averages over the period defined in 5.2 and 5.3. Where non-continuous data, such as 10-minute mean wind
speeds, are available, continuous average wind speeds shall be estimated. All wind speeds shall be determined at,
or corrected to, a height of 10 m above ground level.
Correction factors for local shelter or exposure, or for the height of buildings may be specified in national standards.

5.2 Two day mean design temperature

The coincident wind speed shall be taken as the 95-percentile wind speed from all the two-day periods with mean
temperature equal to or colder than the two day mean design temperature.

5.3 Hourly mean design temperature

The coincident wind speed shall be taken as the 95-percentile wind speed from all the hours with mean
temperature equal to or colder than the hourly mean design temperature.

Dominant wind direction

6.1 Determination of dominant wind direction

Wind directions shall be analysed by non-overlapping 30 segments. Any segment from which the wind blows for
40 %, or more, of the time shall be declared a dominant wind direction. If more than one segment is dominant, the
7

prEN ISO 15927-5:2002 (E)

main and secondary segments shall be reported. Dominant wind directions shall be described by the limits of their
segment, e.g. 030 degrees - 060 degrees.

6.2 Two day mean design temperature

The dominant wind direction or directions shall be determined for the two-day period nearest in mean temperature
to the two day mean design temperature,

*

2d
, and all the colder two-day periods in the period of records.

6.3 Hourly mean design temperature

The dominant wind direction or directions shall be determined for the hour selected as the hourly mean design
temperature,

h* , and all the colder hours in the period of record.

Reference altitude

All winter external design temperature data shall relate to a reference altitude; this may be either:
a) the altitude of the location e.g. a meteorological station, at which the original air temperature data were
recorded;
b) a general altitude for temperature data applying to an area, region or zone; this may be mean sea level; or
c) the actual altitudes over an area of land, in the case of design temperature isopleths on maps.
Use a correction factor to estimate design temperatures at altitudes other than that at which the original air
temperature data were recorded. This factor (the lapse rate for

*
*

2d
and
h ,) shall be determined from local

meteorological records. The correction factor is used to compute design temperature data for cases b) and c), and
to enable the user to convert design temperature data from its reference altitude to an actual altitude, where
different.
Lapse rates and other causes of local variation in low temperatures can be strongly influenced by air drainage,
radiation losses and heat island effects: specialist meteorological advice should be obtained where possible.

Presentation of data

8.1 Data requirements

Winter external design temperature data shall be given together with coincident wind speed. Dominant wind
direction shall be included when applicable.

8.2 Qualifying information to be given with all data

The following information shall be given:
a) the unit of measurement for air temperature, in C, and, where applicable for coincident wind speed, in metre
per second, and direction in degrees;
b) the return period or frequency of the value, as specified for

*
*

2d
in 4.2 or for
h in 4.3;

c) the period of records (number of years of measurements) from which the data were calculated;
d) except for isopleths on maps, the reference altitude in metres above mean sea level.

prEN ISO 15927-5:2002 (E)

8.3 Coincident wind speed

Average wind speeds shall be rounded to the nearest 0,5 m/s. Where the value is below 1 m/s, the coincident wind
speed shall be described as calm (C). Where the value is 1 m/s or more, it shall be stated with the corresponding
data.

8.4 Dominant wind direction

Where the average wind speed is 2,5 m/s or more and the criteria for the dominant wind direction in clause 6 are
satisfied, the dominant wind direction(s) shall be stated with the corresponding data.

8.5 Winter external design temperature data in tables

Winter external design temperature data for specific sites (e.g. meteorological stations) shall be presented in
tabular form, rounded to the nearest multiple of 1 C, and stating coincident wind conditions (see 8.3).

8.6 Winter external design temperature data in maps

Winter external design temperature data for an area, region or country may be presented on maps either as zones
or isopleths (contours):
a) data applying to zones shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of 1 C and stated together with an average
coincident wind conditions applicable to the zone.
b) data given as isopleths on maps shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of 2 C. It will not usually be possible
to show coincident wind speeds on the isopleths; these should be stated separately.

8.7 Correction for altitude

Where an altitude correction has been applied in the preparation of data, the presentation shall include the
statement Values corrected to mean sea level or Values corrected to a reference altitude of nnn m, as
appropriate.
When it is necessary for the user to convert data from a reference altitude to an actual altitude, the correction factor
shall be stated, e.g. as a change in monthly or annual winter external design temperature values for each 100 m
change in altitude.

Data representing a geographical area, region or zone

Data intended to apply to an area, region or zone can be either:

c) the winter external design temperatures for a single meteorological station, deemed to typify the climate of the
area, region or zone; or
d) the average of the winter external design temperatures for several representative meteorological stations, stated
together with an appropriate altitude.