11 Energiforbrug og klimapåvirkning (§ 250 - § 298) – Danish Building Regulations Functional Testing Guidance
The official guidance document Vejledning om funktionsafprøvning is published by the Danish Trafik-, Bygge- og Boligstyrelsen (Transport, Construction, and Housing Authority). It serves as the primary regulatory framework for performing functional tests on technical building installations as required by the Danish Building Regulations, specifically Bygningsreglementet (BR18) sections § 250 to § 298. This fourth edition, dated July 1, 2023, incorporates industry feedback and aligns with updated legal requirements regarding energy consumption and climate impact.
The document governs a wide range of technical domains, including Ventilationsanlæg (ventilation systems), Varme- og køleanlæg (heating and cooling), Belysningsanlæg (lighting), Elevatorer (elevators), Bygningsautomatik (building automation), and Energiforsyningsanlæg (energy supply systems) based on renewable sources. It outlines the specific physical verification and performance testing necessary to demonstrate that these systems function as intended and comply with statutory energy and indoor climate demands before a building is occupied. These requirements apply to both new constructions and significant modifications to existing buildings where installations are added or replaced.
The following sections provide structured details on documentation procedures, technical standards such as DS 447 and DS 469, and the specific acceptance criteria for various building installations regulated under this framework.
Scope and Responsibilities
Functional testing is mandatory for specific installations to ensure they meet the design assumptions and regulatory requirements. The responsibility for ensuring these tests are conducted and documented rests solely with the Bygningsejer (property owner).
- Mandatory Installations: Testing covers ventilation, heating, cooling, lighting, elevators (since July 2017), and building automation and renewable energy systems (since March 2020).
- Documentation Submission: For projects requiring a building permit, documentation must be submitted to the municipality during the færdigmelding (completion notification) phase.
- Implementation: Testing must occur once the installations are fully finished, including mounting, indregulering (balancing), and deficiency remediation.
Ventilation Systems and SEL-Values
Ventilation systems must be tested according to DS 447 to document compliance with airflow requirements, specific fan power (SEL-values), and demand-controlled functionality.
- Residential Airflow: Minimum outdoor air supply of 0.3 l/s per m² of heated floor area.
- SEL-Value Limits: For new residential buildings, the SEL-value for ventilation systems with heat recovery must not exceed 1,000 J/m³.
- Acceptance Criteria: Measured airflow must generally correspond to design values, with an allowed measurement uncertainty of ±10%.
Heating, Cooling, and Automation
Installations for heating and cooling are regulated under DS 469. Testing ensures that indregulering (balancing) of water and air flows is correct and that the control systems respond appropriately to temperature changes.
- Indregulering: Verification that all radiators or underfloor heating circuits receive the calculated flow and reach stable temperatures.
- Bygningsautomatik (§ 296): Automation systems must be tested to prove they control valves, dampers, and motors as designed to optimize energy use.
- Sensor Accuracy: Acceptance criteria for automation sensors include +/-1 °C for temperature and +/- 100 ppm for CO2 sensors.
Renewable Energy and Elevators
The guidance specifies performance verification for renewable energy production and vertical transport systems.
- Elevators: Must meet energy class B according to DS/EN ISO 25745-2 or VDI 4707. The requirement applies to elevators with a rated load up to 2000 kg.
- Solar Cells (PV): Testing must verify the produced energy or current corresponds to design expectations under sufficient light conditions.
- Wind Turbines: Power performance must be measured at wind speeds between 4 m/s and 12 m/s, with a maximum allowed deviation of -20% from the manufacturer's power curve.
Frequently Asked Questions
When must functional testing be performed?
Functional testing must be conducted after the installation is fully completed, balanced, and ready for use, but before the building is officially occupied.
Who is authorized to perform functional testing in Denmark?
There is no legal requirement for who performs the test, but the authority recommends using an unbiased third party to avoid conflicts of interest. Certain tasks may still require an authorized installer.
What is the required outdoor air supply for a new dwelling?
According to BR18 §§ 443-446, residential rooms must have a minimum outdoor air supply of 0.3 l/s per m² of heated floor area when in use.
What is the SEL-value limit for an extraction-only system?
For extraction-only systems (Udsugningsanlæg), the maximum allowed SEL-value is 600 J/m³ according to Table 2 of the guidance.
Is functional testing required for renovations?
Yes, testing is required for existing buildings when significant changes are made, such as installing a new type of system or replacing an old ventilation unit with a new equivalent one.
What is the maximum allowed measurement uncertainty for ventilation airflow?
The guidance typically allows a measurement uncertainty of ±10% for total room airflow and main aggregate airflow.
How should underfloor heating be verified?
Testing involves setting thermostats to a high temperature and manually checking that all floors heat up evenly, which can be documented via thermography or temperature measurements.
Are elevators always included in functional testing?
Testing is required for both new builds and new elevator installations in existing buildings, but only for elevators with a rated load of up to 2000 kg.
