Overview
ISO/TR 52019-2:2017 is an informative technical report that explains and justifies the methods used to assess the hygrothermal performance of building components and elements. It does not contain normative requirements; instead it supports correct understanding and application of the companion EPB (Energy Performance of Buildings) standards: ISO 6946, ISO 10211, ISO 13370, ISO 13786, ISO 13789 and ISO 14683. The report collects explanatory material, worked examples and guidance to ensure consistent interpretation of thermal and hygrothermal calculation procedures.
Key topics
- Scope and purpose: Clarifies how the EPB standards interrelate and why informative guidance is separated from normative text.
- Outputs: Describes primary results such as thermal resistance (R‑values), thermal transmittance (U‑values), dynamic thermal characteristics, and whole‑building heat transfer coefficients.
- Methods and linkage: Explains how component properties feed into building energy calculations and dynamic simulations, and how EPB standards link to ISO 52016‑1 and other energy‑performance tools.
- Detailed informative annexes (A–M): Topics include thermal properties of ground, influence of flowing groundwater, application to dynamic simulation programs, slab‑on‑ground floors with embedded heating/cooling, cold stores, programming guidance for ISO 13786, default values for linear thermal transmittance (ISO 14683), ventilation flow rates, and multiple worked examples.
- Terminology and symbols: Aligns terms and symbols with the companion standards (ISO 6946, ISO 7345, etc.) to ensure consistent use of hygrothermal vocabulary.
Practical applications
ISO/TR 52019-2:2017 is a practical reference for:
- Building energy assessors and thermal performance analysts validating U‑values, R‑values and dynamic response of assemblies.
- HVAC and building envelope engineers performing heat‑flow and hygrothermal calculations, including ground‑coupled elements and thermal bridges.
- Simulation specialists using dynamic simulation tools who need guidance on input parameters and interfacing component data with whole‑building models.
- Regulators, standards writers and code authors implementing EPB standards and promoting consistent national adoption.
- Researchers and educators seeking worked examples and explanation of assumptions behind standard calculation methods.
The report also points to accompanying spreadsheets (available at www.epb.center) and programming guidance to improve reproducibility of calculations.
Related standards
- ISO 6946 - Thermal resistance and thermal transmittance (calculation methods)
- ISO 10211 - Thermal bridges (detailed calculations)
- ISO 13370 - Heat transfer via the ground (calculation methods)
- ISO 13786 - Dynamic thermal characteristics (calculation methods)
- ISO 13789 - Transmission and ventilation heat transfer coefficients
- ISO 14683 - Linear thermal transmittance (simplified methods and default values)
- Also linked with ISO 52000‑1 and ISO 52016‑1 for overall energy performance of buildings
Keywords: ISO TR 52019-2:2017, hygrothermal performance, thermal transmittance, thermal bridges, heat transfer coefficient, building energy performance.