Radiant steel ceiling panels

Product	InstalSystem 5
Type of article	DESIGNING LESSON
Source for translation	2020-01-20

Range of lesson

This article describes designing heating systems with radiant ceiling panels.

Modules and program configuration

• InstalSystem 5 package with the following module:
  • Panel systems

Project file

The project file used in this lesson: Radiant steel ceiling panels installation in commercial building (example for the lesson).

Inital state

1. Building structure has been created (storeys, rooms).
   For more information, see: Preparation of building structure.
2. Drawing with plan of storeys has been loaded.
   For more information, see: Import files.
3. Design heat loads of rooms have been determined for heating using available methods:
   
   • indicatively in units of W/m2
     For more information, see: General data-Building and surroundings
   • manually, separately for each room
   • detailed calculation
     For more information, see: Calculation of design heat load of rooms

Steps to perform

Load catalogues and set default data for the project

General data window

1. Tab - Project scope - specify scope of project: Heating systems / Cooling systems.
2. Tab - Storeys management – verify and specify basic parameters:
   • Storey height
   • Default distance between ceiling and distribution pipe-runs to radiant panel system (ΔH_{pipe-run,pan.})
   • Default distance between ceiling and radiant panels by entering the value in field (Thickness of false ceiling)
     
3. Tab - Catalogues – load product catalogues required for the project.
4. Tab - Thermal systems / Sources – verify parameters: Default source use and supply temperature (θ_s,H).
5. Tab - Thermal systems / Distribution system / Virtual connections of radiant systems - select option Allow system with no manifolds.
6. Tab - Thermal systems / Distribution system / Pipes and insulation - types and default data – specify default pipe and insulation types, verify temperatures in fields Default pipe-run surroundings temperature.
7. Tab - Radiant systems / Panels
   • Default ceiling panel type field - select the default ceiling panel type from the catalog
   • Default size (during insertion) field - select the default ceiling panel size from the catalog
   • Depending on how the ceiling panels are hanged select a suitable option in Panel laying field. After selecting either Parallel to floor or Parallel to ceiling fill in the corresponding value in Distance from floor (set in storey data) or Distance from ceiling field
   • In case of using in project ceiling panels, which are connected in series, select a Default pipe type for connecting panels in series from catalog
   • Specify default types and sizes of radiant panels and correct the minimum (Δθ min) and maximum (Δθ max) values of permissible temperature drop of the medium. Optimum value will be determined within the interval for every radiant panel in order to attain the required output. Entering the same values for both fields will result in imposing the temperature drop (e.g. at 20K level).
     
     
     
     For more information, see: General data
     

Edit installation - radiant ceiling panels

Automatic layout arrangement of radiant ceiling panels

The InstalSystem 5 software provides a tool called Ceiling panels zone, which automatically fills the entire room or any other specified area with the radiant ceiling panels, keeping the desirable distaces from the zone edges and between panels.

1. Select editing scope: Rad.-ceilings.
2. Insert Ceiling panels zone :
   • For the entire room area, using the Zone of ceiling panels (auto) icon available in the ribbon in Radiant group, or
     
   • For the specified room area/room zone, using the Zone of ceiling panels (manual) icon and indicating each corner of the zone in graphical editor.
3. Verify and possibly correct the indication of the base edge of the zone. Base egde is visible after selecting the zone (by left clicking on its label located in the geometric center of the zone) and it is represented by perpendicular XY axis and hot-point . Changing the base edge is possible via shifting the hot-point location to another edge of zone.
4. Verify zone data in Data table window. These data will be take into account during arrangement of ceiling panels. Take a look at:
   • Size - if (size) option is selected, program will adjust the ceiling panel length with regard to the remaining zone data. It is possible to impose the length of the ceiling panel by selecting the suitable value from the list of available catalog variants.
     
     Hint: the drawing length of ceiling panel does not have to match the length of the single manufatured ceiling panel. Based on the required length, the program will, after calculation, assemble and compile a set consisting of base ceiling panels connected in series and connection collectors. The total length of the set will be compatible with the required length.
     
     
   • Distance (in X axis) from edge of the zone / Distance (in Y axis) from edge of the zone - if (size) option is selected, the program will follow the manufacturer's guidelines. It is also possible to impose values manually.
   • Distance in X axis / Distance in Y axis - distance between radiant ceiling panels, if (size) option is selected, the program will follow the manufacturer's guidelines. It is also possible to impose values manually.
   • Direction of arrangement relative to the base egde: parallel or perpendicularly
   • Centered in Y axis / Centered in X axis - lengths of the the ceiling panels are quantized in accordance with the catalogue items provided by a given manufacturer. Radiant ceiling panels can be arranged maintaining the exact values from the fields: Distance (in X axis) from edge of the zone / Distance (in Y axis) from edge of the zone or they can be centered additionally.
5. Execute the Arrange the panels command, by right-clicking the zona label , and then left-clicking the command name.
6. Obtained effect can be improved by: correcting the zone shape, changing the base egde or verifying the zone data and then again executing the command Arrange the panels.
7. If necessary, change the type, size and location of selected ceiling panels according to the editing rules given in the next section.
   
   Warning! Re-executing the Arrange the panels command will result in the loss of introduced manual changes - ceiling panels located within the zone will be removed and the program will generate their arragement again
   
   

Manual insertion of radiant panels and their graphicall edition

Verify the arrangement of radiant panels, i.e. distances between panels, distances to top slab and external walls, with manufacturer's guidelines.

1. Select Rad.-ceilings.
2. Using the AUTO mode settings specify the desired distance between radiant panel and external wall.
   
   

   1. Radiant ceiling panel
   
   
3. Insert the radiant panel using the icon Ceiling panel in group Radiant
4. Adjust the length of the radiant panel to the dimensions of the room by dragging terminal points of the panel and expanding it.
   The length of the panel in the drawing does not have to correspond to the real length of a single panel. Based on the required length, the program will assemble a set of base panels and connection headers connected in series with its total length coresponding to the required length.
5. Insert subsequent radiant panels by clicking again the Ceiling panel icon or by copying panels already inserted. When necessary modify the settings of the AUTO mode.
   

Initial calculations - diagnostics of the heat demand coverage in room

1. Run radiant heating calculations by clicking the icon in the Calculations group.
2. Verify the heat demand coverage in room in:
   • the Diagnostics window by viewing the list of warnings
     
     

     2. Verification of heat demand coverage in room in the Diagnostics window
     
     
   • the Results window on tabs - List of rooms - heating
   • hint in bubble displayed upon positioning the cursor within the panel area

Modify data to adjust the attained output to the required output

1. Adjust the following data and parameters:
   • supply temperature in the general data of the source (θ_s,H).
     
     

     3. Adjustment of supply temperature in General data
     
     
   • required drop of temperature of the medium in the radiant panel (Δθ_req,H).
     
     

     4. Adjustment of temperature drop of medium in radiant panel (Δθwym,H)
     
     
   • number/size of radiant panels
2. Recalculate the project – verify the effect of the changes made on the attained heating output.

Edit installation - append drawings with the medium distribution system

1. Upon attaining satisfactory results for the coverage of heat demand in rooms, insert the other components of the system (source, pipe-runs, fittings) and connect them to the radiant panels.

Make complete calculations including system balancing and bill of materials

1. Make calculations for radiant heating by clicking the icon in the Calculations group.
2. Verify the diagnostics and calculation results, in particular:
   • Required source parameters - Results window – Results Heating/General results heating tab
   • Flow balance – Results window – Circuits tab
   • Bill of materials - Results window – Bill of materials - heating / cooling tab
     For more information, see: Calculations and diagnostics

Verify visually arrangement of the system in 3D view

1. Open the 3D view window and check system arrangement. If necessary, modify the elevations of the components and positions of connection points. Recalculate the project if corrections were made.
   For more information, see: Verification of the correctness of installation structure
   
   

   5. 3D view
   
   

Prepare drawings for printing/export

1. Verify the drawing style of the panel in 2D and 3D views and the level of detail of information provided in the label. Configuration is given in the General data window.

6. Konfiguracja zawartości etykiety panelu.

1. Insert and set labels of other system components (source, pipe-runs, fittings).
   For more information, see: Preparation of drawings for export/printing

Export / print results and drawings

For more information, see: Export / print results and drawings