This paragraph comes directly out of the ASHRAE 90.

1-2007 User Manual:

"Window-Wall Ratio: The window-wall ratio is the ratio of vertical fenestration

area to gross exterior wall area. The fenestration area is the rough opening, i.e.,
it includes the frame, sash, and other nonglazed window components. The gross
exterior wall is measured horizontally from the exterior surface; it is measured
vertically from the top of the floor to the bottom of the roof. The gross exterior
wall area includes below-grade as well as above-grade walls. It is necessary to
calculate the window-wall ratio with all compliance options, since this information
is need with the prescriptive option, the trade-off option, and the energy cost
budget method."

James M. Newman, EIT, LEED AP

--------
90.1 Appendix G states: "Vertical fenestration areas for new buildings and
additions shall equal that in the proposed design or 40% of gross above-grade wall
area, whichever is smaller."

If you are using 90.1 as your State's code, then you can include the below-grade
wall area. If you are modeling using Appendix G, then you cannot include the below
grade wall area in your calculations.

Dana Troy

--------
Correct, so if your proving prescriptive compliance you can use below grade walls,
while if your proving compliance through performance modeling then you can only
usie above grade walls per ASHRAE 90.1 Appendix G.

The question that I still have is should the whole building be averaged for
fenestration percentage or should each face have its own percentage?

James M. Newman, EIT, LEED AP

--------
The whole building is the way I have always read it.
So you can have an all glass North wall (100%) and then 10% glass for E,W,&S and
have a total window-wall ratio of 32.5%. But if you have a North wall with 100%
glass and an E,W,&S wall with 40% glass, you now have to prorate each exposure
down.
--> (1+0.4+0.4+0.4) / 4 = 55% which is greater than 40%. So, multiply each exposure
by 0.4/0.55, and your new window-wall ratios would be N=72.7%, E,W,&S = 29.1%.

Joe Fleming
E.I., LEED AP BD+C, BEMP

--------
I'd agree ? I've always taken the 40% WWR mark in context to mean the gross above-
grade building surfaces (minus the roof/skylights of course). Pretty simple.

If 90.1 intended to assign a prescriptive maximum WWR per face, it would say so.
Further, rather than a single value I would expect to see a chart showing different
maximum ratios for each orientation, and also broken out either by ?solar zone?
(using a solar map), or perhaps more simply by latitude.

~Nick

PS: I realize Joe's example is just that, an example, but if you're ever modeling a
100% glass orientation, it's worth nothing that any spandrel glass constructions
that don't transmit light aren't? vertical fenestrations? as defined in the
definitions, and so wouldn't count towards the WWR ratio check/calcs.

NICK CATON, E.I.T.