This article describes how the Window Clearance rule type works and how you can configure the rule.
The article covers the following topics:
- Description of the Window Clearance Rule Type
- Window Clearance Rule Logic
- Window Clearance Rule Requirements
- Window Clearance Rule Results in Plugin
Description of the Window Clearance Rule Type
With the Window Clearance rule type, you can check whether there is sufficient free space in front of, behind, and next to windows. In addition, the rule type also checks window operability to ensure that the window is fully functional and can be used as foreseen.
This rule type can be applied to IfcWindow entities and it can be used with components that are available in IFC Schema versions IFC2x3 and IFC4.
Window Clearance Rule Logic
You can select one or more targets for the windows to be checked, as well as the obstacle targets.
You can select the rule to check window operability and/or clearance. You can also select whether clearance is checked from the pull side, the push side, or both.
Operability: The rule checks that the selected windows are operable and can open as required based on the window width, height, and opening direction. This ensures that none of the selected obstacles obstructs the operational space.
Clearance: The window is placed in the middle of the wall side of a clearance area. The clearance area, together with the window height, forms a clearance box, and the rule checks that no obstacle components have been placed inside. You can set different requirements for the clearance area on the push side and the pull side.
For the window operation, IfcWindow definition is used. The front side is defined by the positive Y-axis. The supported panel variants are defined in IfcWindowTypePartitioningEnum.
Window Clearance Rule Requirements
In the rule requirements, you can define the target component(s) and the obstacle(s), and select if the rule checks window operability and/or window clearance. For clearance, you can set the measurements for the clearance area.
You can configure the following requirements for a Window Clearance rule:
- Windows to be checked: Define which window(s) you wish to check (e.g., all windows, external/internal windows, glazing windows). Note that you can only select targets that are IfcWindow entities.
- Obstacles: Define which target(s) around the windows you wish to check (e.g., columns, beams, walls). You can also select to check against all IFC entities.
- Rule requirements:
- Window operability: When selected, the rule will check that the selected windows and all their panels are operable and can open as required based on the width, height, and opening direction of the window. None of the defined obstacles are allowed in the operation space.
- Window clearance: When selected, the rule will check that none of the selected obstacles have been set inside the defined clearance box on the pull side and/or the push side. You can define the measurements (width and depth) of the clearance area. You can also select to fetch the width information automatically from the model. The IfcWindow entity defines the height of the window.
- Pull side (front):
- Push side (back):
- Pull side (front):
- Window operability: When selected, the rule will check that the selected windows and all their panels are operable and can open as required based on the width, height, and opening direction of the window. None of the defined obstacles are allowed in the operation space.
Window Clearance Rule Results in Plugin
When you run a check which has a rule based on the Window Clearance rule type, you should get the following results:
Operability:
- If any of the selected obstacles are found in the operation space, the rule reports an error in the design. The problem components are highlighted in the model.
- The default error message is: “Obstacles blocking the window operation”
Clearance:
- If any of the selected obstacles are found in the defined clearance box, the rule reports an error in the design. The problem components are highlighted in the model.
- The default error message is: “Not enough clearance for the window on the pull/push side”