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This study is focused in determine the convenience of the use of displacement ventilation strategy in airborne infection isolation rooms (AIIRs). Comfort of the occupants of the chamber, IAQ indices and the exposition of the health worker (HW) to the contaminants emitted by the confined patient (P) are considered in a typical AIIR set up with a hot radiant wall representing an external wall. Three air ventilation rates are tested to determine their influence in the studied variables. Results show that IAQ indices associated with ventilation and general comfort indices for both manikins performs well in the cases studied. Lockup phenomenon associated to displacement ventilation occurs above P but it has a low influence on contaminant exposition of HW because of the influence of the convective boundary layer of HW. The influence of the radiant wall derives part of the fresh air directly to the exhaust and has a low influence the comfort of the manikins.

Significant changes in comfort and the ocular surface tests were found after 2 hours of exposure to CAE. These results show the negative impact that an adverse environment, especially low RH, can have on the ocular surface. These alterations were fully reversible. This indicates that the CAE is a safe and functional condition in which to standardize DE diagnostic tests and evaluate therapeutics.

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ACH Air changes per hour (h-1) AIIR Airborne infection isolation room CFD Computational fluid mechanics CP Patient D Exhaust grille placed on the lower part of the West wall DR Percentage of dissatisfied people as a result of draught DV Displacement ventilation G Supply grille diffuser placed on the East wall of the room GD Ventilation system configuration combining G supply and D exhaust GU Ventilation system configuration combining G supply and U exhaust IHR Individual hospital room Intake fraction Maximum intake fraction 125% Peaks average intake fraction S Supply swirl diffuser placed on the ceiling of the room SD Ventilation system configuration combining S supply and D exhaust SU Ventilation system configuration combining S supply and U exhaust U Exhaust grille placed on the upper part of the West wall ⟨ ̅ ⟩ Mean tracer gas concentration of contaminant of the chamber (ppm) ̅ Average tracer gas concentration of the exhaust air (ppm) ̅ Average tracer gas concentration in a determined point (ppm) ̅ ,125% Average peaks tracer gas concentration in a determined point (ppm) , Maximum tracer gas concentration in a determined pint (ppm) ̅ , ℎ Average contaminant concentration emitted through the CP exhalation (ppm) ̅ Average tracer gas concentration in the supply air (ppm) Local relative exposure coefficient ,125% Local relative average peaks concentration exposure coefficient , Local relative maximum exposure coefficient ,125% Local maximum exposure frequency (h-1) H Total height of the chamber (m) Air change efficiency index Local air change index for a determined point Contaminant removal effectiveness index ⟨ ⟩ Mean age of air in the room (min) Nominal time constant (min) Local mean age of air in a determined point (min)

This paper develops an energy analysis for an existing near Zero Energy (nZEB) and Zero Carbon Emissions building called LUCIA, located at the university campus in Valladolid (Spain). It is designed to supply electricity, cooling and heating needs through solar energy (Photovoltaic Systems, PV), biomass and an Earth-Air Heat Exchanger (EAHE), besides a Combined Heat Power (CHP). It is currently among the top three buildings with the highest LEED certification in the World. The building model is simulated with DesignBuilder version 5. The results of the energy analysis illustrate the heating, cooling and lighting consumptions expected, besides other demands and energy uses. From this data, we carried out an energy balance of the nZEB, which will help to plan preventive actions when compared to the actual energy consumptions, improving the management and control of both the building and its systems. The primary energy indicator obtained is 67 kWh/m 2 a year, and 121 kWh/m 2 a year for renewable energy generation, with respect to 55 kWh/m 2 and 45 kWh/m 2 set as reference in Europe. The Renewable Energy Ratio (RER) is 0.66. These indicators become a useful tool for the energy analysis of the nZEB according to the requirements in the European regulations and for its comparison with further nZEB.