The main objectives of the NECB Navigator are to:
1. Manage the overall process, including inputs, edits and cycles for modelling to the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings NECB 2011
2. Provide industry recognized defaults and input selection options to assist the process
The Virtual Environment is fully compliant with ASHRAE 140 and hence qualifies as a tool capable of performing NECB Performance Path calculations, as described in the NECB Standard as follows:
“If a computer program is used to carry out the compliance calculations, the calculation methods employed in the energy model shall conform to
b) An equivalent test method.
NECB 2011 applies to new buildings and additions. It is a model code whose aim is to promote consistency across Canada, provide minimum requirements for the design and construction of energy-efficient buildings and their envelope, systems and equipment for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, service water heating, lighting, and the provisions of electrical power systems and motors. The code was developed by the Canadian Commission on Building Codes to succeed the previous Model National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings 1997 (MNECB 1997). In Canada, provincial and territorial governments may enact NECB 2011 for compliance and any persons involved in the design or construction of buildings should consult their provincial or territorial regulations to determine applicability.
At the time of issuing this document, adoption of NECB 2011 by provinces and territories in Canada was as follows:
Adopted: British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia
Not Adopted: Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador
Further information regarding the current adoption of the NECB standard can be found on the following National Research Council Canada website:
A range of individual software modules and features are available within the VE-Pro suite, which can be used to construct a detailed NECB model. The user needs to manually switch between modules and know at which point in the process a specific feature needs to be used. In summary, it can be difficult to understand how each module and feature fits into the overall NECB workflow analysis process.
The NECB Navigator is a tool, which brings all of the individual VE-Pro modules and features together in a single area and presents the user with step-by-step smart navigation and management of the NECB workflow and analysis process. The Navigator is driven through the successful execution of specific actions and commands, which are activated by the user in a defined sequence.
This smart navigation leads the user through the process of basic geometry creation, to constructions/thermal data assignment, and ultimately to the automatic generation of a full set of NECB compliant results.
The Navigator also provides the user with predefined prototypical data, which can be used to populate the model with default reference information. The main structure of the NECB Navigator workflow includes:
1. Preliminary Data setup
2. Envelope Thermo/Physical Properties
3. Room/Zone Thermal Template Data
4. HVAC systems
5. Other Input Data
6. Generate Reference
7. Sizing runs
8. Simulations
9. Results
The NECB Navigator functions as a series of action items that are accessed within the smart navigator tree structure that is located on the upper left side of the interface. The action items take the user to the relevant VE-Pro module and dialog box to complete the tasks associated with that action or provide advice around performing the action.
