Daylight simulation according to DIN V 18599

With daylight simulation to additional points in the BNB and DGNB certification

We support you in verifying the availability of daylight with the following services:

• Illustration of the building (geometry and transparent components) in the simulation program
• Illustration of the surroundings (relevant parts of the outdoor facilities / surrounding buildings)
• Simulation and evaluation of the simulation data
• Evaluation of the data according to daylight quotient and area shares
• Calculation of the relative useful exposure
• If necessary, suggestions for optimizing the results (components, geometry)
• Documentation basics and results
• Presentation of the results

DGNB – Socio-cultural and functional quality – SOC1.4: Visual comfort (100 points)

• The aim of the “visual comfort” criterion is to ensure a sufficient and uninterrupted supply of daylight and artificial light in all permanently used indoor spaces.
• Together with thermal comfort and 6 other criteria, visual comfort belongs to the area of sociocultural and functional quality (22.5% of the overall rating).

The following indicators are considered in the assessment of visual comfort, whereby indicators 1, 2 and 7 are verified by the daylight simulation.
The other verifications are provided by planning documents, data sheets for the sun protection and lighting, as well as a color rendering index and artificial light calculation.

1. Daylight availability for the entire building: verification of daylight factor (DF) by simulation or in accordance with DIN V 18955
2. Daylight availability of permanent workplaces: Proof of annual relative useful lighting by simulation or according to DIN V 18599
3. Visual connection to the outside: Existing visual connections to the outside
4. Freedom from glare in daylight: freedom from glare thanks to sun/glare protection system
5. Artificial light: Artificial light minimum requirements according to DIN EN 12464-1 / artificial light overfulfillment
6. Daylight color rendering: color rendering index_Ra
7. Tanning: Tanning duration

For office buildings, up to 18 points out of a total of 100 points can be achieved in the visual comfort criterion by demonstrating the daylight factor and up to 16 points by demonstrating the annual relative useful lighting:

BNB – Socio-cultural quality – Health, comfort and user satisfaction – 3.1.5 Visual comfort (max. 100 points)

• The aim of the “Visual comfort” profile is to achieve a high quality of lighting through early and integrated daylight and artificial lighting planning.
• The assessment standard in the Assessment System for Sustainable Building (BNB) defines a target value (max. 100 points), reference value (50 points) and limit value (10 points) for each profile, whereby at least compliance with the limit value must always be demonstrated for certification.
• The “Visual comfort” profile is used for new construction and complete modernization of office buildings (BNB-BN V2015/BK V2017), educational buildings (BNB-UN V2017/UK V2017) and the new construction of research and laboratory buildings (BNB-LN V2020).

Visual comfort is assessed on the basis of the following criteria, where
1. and
2. are verified using daylight simulation:

1. Daylight availability for the entire building: Calculation of the daylight factor (TQ/Daylightfactor DF) according to DIN V 18599-4 or DIN 5034
2. Daylight availability of permanent workplaces: Calculation of daylight factor according to DIN V 18599 Part 4 or comparable calculation or simulation methods
3. Visual connection to the outside: compliance with the window area proportions in accordance with DIN 5034-1 required
4. Glare-free daylight: qualitative assessment of the planned glare protection device
5. Glare-free artificial light: to be complied with in accordance with DIN EN 12464 Part 1
6. Light distribution: compliance with the DIN EN 12464-1 standard and additional qualitative assessment
7. Color rendering: a color rendering index of_Ra 80 in rooms in constant use (limit value).
   An improvement is assessed as positive (reference value or target value)

In the case of new office buildings, for example, 15 points each can be awarded for meeting the criteria
1. and
2. can be achieved:

We will be happy to provide you with more detailed information on DGNB certification and BNB certification and support you throughout the entire certification process.