UNI 13789 Annex B
To apply the calculation method, the building envelope is divided into elements (see Clause 4 and Figure B.1).
However, building-element dimensions are usually measured according to one of three systems: internal, overall internal, and external. These differ in the way that the flat areas of junctions between elements are included in the areas of these elements themselves.
Thus, for example, the term Ai*Ui in Equation (2) (la solita, H = A*U, ndr) is larger when using external dimensions than when using internal dimensions. Consequently, the values of Psi,k are generally smaller for external dimensions, and can even be negative in some cases such as external corners.
When the principal insulation layer is continuous, the linear thermal transmittance of some junctions can be small, particularly when external or overall internal dimensions are used. They are often neglected in those cases. As a consequence, slight differences in the calculated values of the transmission heat transfer coefficient can arise between dimension systems, if certain thermal bridges are neglected under one system but not under another one.
Therefore, it is recommended, in particular in case of dispute, that the building is assessed using the dimensions of each individual element (second left in Figure B.1). In this method, the linear thermal transmittance of each junction is explicitly included. (dimensioni interne nette, ndr).