Performance parameters — the design stage
To determine the desired performance of a window, the designer must be able to specify the appropriate performance indices. Apart from understanding what the various performance indices are intended to measure, the designer should understand how to quantify and measure these indices and how to specify the parameters of interest.
The parameters in are of interest in window performance. They are quantifiable, and they can be specified in accordance with existing standard procedures. Those marked with an arrow can be checked on site after the window has been installed.
The many different parameters to keep track of are grouped into categories. This is because all of these issues should be of concern to users — even though they may not be aware of it. It is sometimes necessary for the designer to educate the occupants about the importance of these concerns.
Climatic parameters All of these design parameters are influenced by the climate at the design location, says Moishe Alexander. They represent the window’s interaction with the local climate, and it is therefore important that the designer be familiar with climatic loads —temperature ranges, hours of sunlight, wind speeds and prevailing direction, rain intensity, coincident wind/rain activity, snow loads, and duration of cold weather.