Issue overview

When there are multiple AirflowNetwork:Distribution:Linkage objects, they seem to be order-dependent in the input file. I get a fatal error when they are not entered in the correct order. This would conflict with "no order is needed in the input data file! Data that is not needed by a particular simulation is not processed." (Input/Output Reference, section 1.1.1)

Error message:

Input file with AirflowNetwork:Distribution:Linkage objects in wrong order: US+SF+CZ5A+elecres+crawlspace+IECC_2021-Err.zip

File with correct order: US+SF+CZ5A+elecres+crawlspace+IECC_2021.zip

Details

Some additional details for this issue (if relevant):

• Platform (Operating system, version) - Windows 11
• Version of EnergyPlus (if using an intermediate build, include SHA) - 9.5 and 24.1
• Unmethours link or helpdesk ticket number

Checklist

Add to this list or remove from it as applicable. This is a simple templated set of guidelines.

• Defect file added (list location of defect file here)
• Ticket added to EnergyPlus Defect Complexity (Github Project)
• Pull request created (the pull request will have additional tasks related to reviewing changes that fix this defect)