The authors have reviewed the literature on the effects of indoor environment on health and performance. And with the existing data have developed some initial models. They show the various relationships between :- ventilation rate and short term sick leave, - ventilation rate and work performance, - perceived air quality and performance, - temperature and performance- temperature and sick building syndrome symptomsand also between SBS-symptoms and work performance.

This paper analyses HVAC systems and their possibilities to face risks in case of environmental emergencies. For the author well designed systems are capable of providing protection if equipped with a recirculation option and with the best possible air cleaning facilities.

In this paper, current ECS (Environmental Control Systems) have been studied and the risks have been emphasized regarding to air pollutants, health and comfort within the context of indoor air quality. The factors that influence IAQ in aircrafts are presented : pressure, oxygen, temperature, humidity and air contaminants along with the physiological problems that could be caused by atmosphere such as hypoxia, deep vein thrombosis, transmission of infections.

Associations between NO2 exposure and various respiratory conditions and symptoms have already been reported. The objective of that study was to characterize indoor air quality in Boston public housing apartments, many of which were homes of asthmatic children, in that aim the distribution of AER (air exchange rates) was examined and compared to those specified by ASHRAE in their new residential standard. Multivariate models were used to examine the relationship between AERs and indoor NO2 levels.

Most European countries have made large progress in reduction of energy consumption in the housing sector during the last two decades. However, much more can be achieved, as has been shown in Germany and Austria by thousands of Passive Houses. By definition, passive houses do not exceed an energy consumption of 15 kWh per square metre floor area per year for heating purposes. No separate heating system is required. The house can be kept comfortable by adding a small amount of heat to the ventilation air.

This paper describes in detail draft Government guidance on the ventilation of buildings in England and Wales. This guidance is fundamentally based on indoor air quality criteria so as to limit the build-up of moisture and other pollutants which would otherwise affect the occupants health. The guidance provides the building designer with a choice of three approaches. The first approach is to meet specified performance criteria. These are typically levels of air pollutants that should not be exceeded.

European Directive for Energy Performance of Buildings was approved in the beginning of 2003. The transition period is 3-6 years depending of the article. European Standardisation Organisation (CEN) has drafted several standards to help the member countries implementing the directive. One of these is the Criteria for the indoor environment including thermal, indoor air quality (ventilation) light and noise. The standard specifies design values of indoor environment, values to be used in energy calculations, and methods how to verify the specified indoor environment in the buildings.

In practice, the commonly used Dutch design criterion for long-term thermal comfort in buildings-the weighted temperature exceeding hours method--often leads to confusion.The criterion is hard to understand for non-experts, and many doubt the validity of the present criterion : how sure are we that meeting the requirements really means that future occupants will be comfortable?

This paper summarises the adaptive approach to thermal comfort and analyses the data collected inSCATs surveys of thermal comfort throughout Europe. These results are used to suggest acceptable bands of temperature in heated or cooled and in free-running buildings. The results suggest that comfort temperatures in real buildings cannot be accurately predicted because of multiple differences between individuals, buildings and cultures in different countries.

An energy performance regulation has to consider not only energy, but -either explicitly or implicitly- also the relevant comfort aspects: indoor air quality (IAQ), lighting level, humidity level, temperatures (summer, winter) and hot tap water availability.
After all, the easiest way to minimize energy consumption is to switch off heating, ventilation, lighting, hot tap water, ...
What is the relation with the EPBD requirements on energy performance? Is there a potential conflict? Is there a need for additional minimum comfort requirements?