Commercial Lighting Compliance
IECC 2018 — Building Envelope
Module · C402.4 Fenestration
C402.4 · Fenestration (Prescriptive)

C402.4 Fenestration Compliance

Checks the three prescriptive fenestration requirements in one place: maximum glazing area with the daylight-controls increase pathways (C402.4.1), the minimum-skylight mandate for large high-bay spaces with the Equation 4-4 effective aperture (C402.4.2), and the maximum U-factor / SHGC table lookup with projection factor and increased allowances (C402.4.3).

Project context
01

Maximum fenestration area

Vertical fenestration ≤ 30% of gross above-grade wall area; skylights ≤ 3% of gross roof area. Climate Zones 1–6 may reach 40% / 6% with daylight zones and responsive controls. C402.4.1

Vertical fenestration

Enter wall and fenestration area.
40% increase pathway — C402.4.1.1 (Climate Zones 1–6)

Skylights

Enter roof and skylight area.
6% increase pathway — C402.4.1.2
02

Minimum skylight fenestration area

Large high-bay spaces in listed occupancies must place toplit zones over ≥ half the floor area and meet a 3%-skylight ratio or a ≥ 1% effective aperture, unless an exception applies. Triggered spaces also require toplit-zone lighting controls (C402.4.2.1) and, for certain uses, diffusing skylights (C402.4.2.2). C402.4.2

Enter floor area, ceiling height, and occupancy.
03

Maximum U-factor & SHGC

Required maxima from Table C402.4 by climate zone, fenestration category, orientation, and projection factor. C402.4.3

Diagram & table show:
A = horizontal distance to the farthest extremity of the overhang · B = bottom of glazing to underside of overhang · PF = A / B. Eq 4-5
Add a fenestration product to evaluate.

Where products differ in PF or category, evaluate each separately. Area-weighted U-factor (C402.4.3.4): you may meet the U-factor limit with an area-weighted average within a single fenestration category (e.g. several windows of differing U combined into one value), but products from different categories — fixed, operable, entrance, skylight — cannot be combined. Enter the area-weighted U above.