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Keep an eye on the sky R


esidential, industrial and commercial buildings must all adapt to an increasing change in weather


conditions. Due to climate change, extreme weather conditions such as heat waves, stronger storms and colder winters are becoming more frequent. It is also important to remember that although solar gains may be considered desirable during winter, this can result in overheating of the building during the warmer periods and a subsequent increase in the building’s energy usage to cool the internal space. The use of skylights within the overall building design enable greater use of natural daylight and are becoming increasingly important in architecture. On flat roofs, skylights such as rooflight domes, barrel vault rooflights and flat glass skylights are specified to introduce both natural daylight and ventilation into buildings. The benefits of well-designed daylight and ventilation levels to the internal environment of a building are well documented and include improved productivity and performance within education and workplace settings. In order to futureproof against climate


change, water tightness, air tightness, resistance to wind loads and thermal performance are all important factors to consider when specifying rooflights or roof glazing for your project.


Water & driving rain Water and driving rain tightness is an important criteria to consider when specifying rooflights for the future. Tests confirming this requirement are described in EN 12208. This standard classifies windows and facades according to their resistance to pressure, the method and the duration of the test. In addition to the application of water on all sides and at different angles, the pressure difference inside/outside is also tested in order to simulate the impact of wind. To simulate possible scenarios with storms and heavy rain as realistically as possible, standing water is sucked in on weather seals or on profiles deformed under wind load.


ADF MARCH 2022 Air tightness


High performing thermal insulation within the exterior walls is of no use to the building if the skylights or other building components and their connections are extremely permeable to air. There are special test standards for individual building elements such as windows to determine and classify their air tightness. EN 12207 describes a test procedure in which the air volumes related to the area and perimeter of the product are determined in various positive and negative pressure stages. The products are then categorised into Classes 1 to 4, with Class 4 representing the highest air tightness. The standard does not apply exclusively to glass


skylights, however rooflight companies such as Lamilux choose to prove the achieved airtightness, and therefore test the glass skylights following the window standard. The same applies to glass roofs which are tested using the facade standard.


Wind load


Strong winds will introduce stresses to the components of buildings, and can cause them to weaken over time. In addition to the geographical location, building shape and height, other influences such as the type and distance of surrounding buildings also play a major role. Skylights and their fastenings must therefore be sufficiently resistant to wind loads with performance


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With climate change at the forefront of everyone’s mind, Natalie Goodridge of Lamilux UK looks at how buildings and their components – such as skylights – need to be futureproofed and designed to withstand extreme weather events


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