SAES-N-004 PDF – Design and Installation of Building Thermal Envelop

This article is about SAES-N-004 which is about Design and Installation of Building Thermal Envelop and download SAES-N-004 PDF for Mechanical and Insulation Engineers, supervisors and project managers, Mechanical QCs, Insulation QC Supervisors. This is saudi aramco standards of Heat Transfer Equipment Engineering based on international codes and standards and useful for Mechanical and Insulation Engineering knowledge to get job as engineers, QC Supervisors and QC managers, Engineering managers and technicians.

SAES-N-004 PDF Download

SAES-N-004

Design and Installation of Building Thermal Envelop

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standard SAES-N-004 establishes the minimum mandatory energy efficiency requirements for the building envelope and sets the maximum energy use intensity for all air-conditioned and mechanically ventilated Saudi Aramco buildings. Here are some key points from the standard:

• For buildings with a temperature maintained below 15°C (59°F) (e.g., cold storage), the manufacturer’s requirements should be followed.
• The thermal insulation requirements for pre-engineered metal buildings are outlined in 12-SAMSS-014.
• Other mandatory requirements for the building envelope, including architectural design and finishes, are covered in SAES-R-004 (Building Architectural Design and Finishes Requirements) and SAES-M-100 (Saudi Aramco Building Code).

SAES-N-004 aims to ensure energy efficiency in the building envelope, promoting sustainable practices and reducing energy consumption in Saudi Aramco buildings. Compliance with these requirements helps achieve optimal thermal performance and energy efficiency, contributing to cost savings and environmental sustainability.

Industry Codes and Standards for SAES-N-004

The industry codes and standards relevant to the Saudi Aramco Engineering Standard SAES-N-004 and energy efficiency requirements for building envelopes are:

1. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

• ASTM C755: Selection of Vapor Barriers for Thermal Insulation

1. International Code Council (ICC)

• International Building Code, 2009 Edition, Chapter 13: Energy Efficiency
• International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), 2009 Edition
• International Residential Code, 2009 Edition

1. Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL)

• UL 1709: Rapid Rise Fire Tests of Protection Materials for Structural Steel

1. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE)

• ASHRAE STD 100: Energy-Efficiency in Existing Buildings

1. National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC)

• NFRC 400: Procedure for Determining Fenestration Product Air Leakage

1. Approved simulation software programs for building energy modeling:

• EnergyPlus, US Department of Energy: http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/energyplus/
• eQuest, US Department of Energy: http://www.doe2.com/equest/

In addition to these industry codes and standards, other Saudi Aramco documents that provide insights and guidance on energy efficiency include:

• Energy Audit Reports conducted at Dhahran Medical Center, Dhahran Primary School, Dhahran Building # 3150 (LIP)
• Internal Study conducted by POD for Tariff Calculations
• Lead-By-Example Team Analysis for Dhahran Hills Project

These resources and documents collectively contribute to establishing energy-efficient practices and ensuring compliance with energy efficiency requirements for building envelopes in Saudi Aramco buildings.

General Requirements

The general requirements for insulation in air-conditioned or mechanically-ventilated buildings, as outlined in the Saudi Aramco Engineering Standard SAES-N-004, are as follows:

4.1 Roofs and walls: The roofs and walls of all air-conditioned or mechanically-ventilated buildings shall be insulated. This requirement ensures that thermal insulation is provided to minimize heat gain or loss through the building envelope.

4.2 Floors: Floors shall be thermally insulated when the air-conditioned space is located above a non-conditioned space or exposed to ambient air. Insulating the floor helps prevent heat transfer between the air-conditioned space and the non-conditioned space or the external environment.

4.3 Partitions: Partitions (internal walls) shall be thermally insulated if the air-conditioned space is adjacent to a non-conditioned space or an area with high heat output. Insulating the partitions helps maintain thermal separation between conditioned and non-conditioned spaces, reducing heat transfer and ensuring energy efficiency.

These requirements aim to enhance the energy efficiency of the building envelope by minimizing heat transfer through the roof, walls, floors, and partitions of air-conditioned or mechanically-ventilated spaces.

Design of Building Thermal Envelop

In the design of insulated roofs and walls, the following requirements apply according to the Saudi Aramco Engineering Standard SAES-N-004:

6.1 Vapor Barrier Design for Roofs and Walls:
The design of insulated roofs and walls should adhere to the criteria specified in ASTM C755. This standard provides guidelines for controlling water vapor flow and selecting appropriate vapor barriers. Vapor barriers are designed to be installed on the warm side (outside) of the stud or joist to prevent the migration of moisture from the warm interior to the cooler exterior. The water vapor permeance of vapor barriers should not exceed one perm. A perm is a unit of measure equal to 1 gram of water vapor transmission per 24 hours, per square meter, per millimeter of mercury (or grain per hour, per square foot, per inch of mercury).

6.2 Vapor Barrier Installation in High Humidity Rooms:
For areas with high humidity, such as kitchens and showers, vapor barriers should be installed on both the inside and outside of the stud or joist. This additional measure helps to further prevent moisture infiltration and condensation within the wall or roof assembly.

By complying with these design requirements, the control of water vapor flow and the proper installation of vapor barriers contribute to the overall performance and durability of insulated roofs and walls in air-conditioned or mechanically-ventilated buildings.

Materials

According to the Saudi Aramco Engineering Standard SAES-N-004, the following requirements apply to insulation materials for building envelops:

7.1 Fire Hazard Classification:
The insulation material used in the building envelope should not increase the overall fire hazard classification of the assembly being insulated. It is important to select materials that have appropriate fire resistance properties and do not contribute to the spread of fire.

7.2 Resistance to Environmental Factors:
The insulation material should be resistant to rotting and damage by rodents. It should also be able to withstand temperatures of 65°C (150°F) without experiencing thermal decomposition unrelated to combustion. Additionally, the material should not be adversely affected by short-term exposure to direct sunlight.

7.3 Asbestos-Free Requirement:
All insulation materials, including insulating cement and insulation coverings, must not contain asbestos fibers. This requirement aligns with the safety and health considerations related to asbestos exposure.

7.4 Handling and Safety:
Insulation materials used in the building envelope should be easy to handle without deteriorating and without causing harm to the personnel handling them. This ensures safe installation and maintenance practices.

7.5 Thermal Short-Circuits:
In sandwich panel construction, where insulation is provided between two metal layers, efforts should be made to minimize thermal short-circuits or metal-to-metal contacts. This helps maintain the effectiveness of the insulation by reducing heat transfer through direct contact.

7.6 Flame-Spread Rating:
Except for foam plastic insulation, all other insulation materials should have a flame-spread rating not exceeding 25 and a smoke density not exceeding 450. These ratings are in accordance with the International Building Code, 2009 Edition, Section 719. The aim is to limit the spread of flames and smoke in case of a fire.

Exception for Specific Buildings:
For certain buildings like substations, communications buildings, centralized computer facilities, and those falling under the scope of SAES-B-014, the insulation materials should either be noncombustible or covered with fireproofing on exposed surfaces. The fireproofing should provide a minimum fire-resistance rating of two (2) hours when tested in accordance with UL 1709 or an equivalent fire exposure test procedure accepted by the Chief Fire Prevention Engineer.

7.7 Foam Plastic Insulation:
Foam plastic insulation used in the building envelope should conform to the requirements stated in the International Building Code, 2009 Edition, Section 2603. This ensures that the foam insulation meets the necessary safety and performance standards.

By adhering to these material requirements, the insulation in the building envelop can contribute to the overall safety, performance, and energy efficiency of the structure.

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