%0 Journal Article
	%A A. Sherif and  H. Sabry and  A. Elzafarany and  M. Gadelhak and  R. Arafa and  M. Aly
	%D 2015
	%J International Journal of Environmental and Ecological Engineering
	%B World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
	%I Open Science Index 103, 2015
	%T The Impact of Hospital Intensive Care Unit Window Design on Daylighting and Energy Performance in Desert Climate
	%U https://publications.waset.org/pdf/10001618
	%V 103
	%X This paper addresses the design of hospital Intensive
Care Unit windows for the achievement of visual comfort and energy
savings. The aim was to identify the window size and shading system
configurations that could fulfill daylighting adequacy, avoid glare
and reduce energy consumption. The study focused on addressing the
effect of utilizing different shading systems in association with a
range of Window-to-Wall Ratios (WWR) in different orientations
under the desert clear-sky of Cairo, Egypt.
The results of this study demonstrated that solar penetration is a
critical concern affecting the design of ICU windows in desert
locations, as in Cairo, Egypt. Use of shading systems was found to be
essential in providing acceptable daylight performance and energy
saving. Careful positioning of the ICU window towards a proper
orientation can dramatically improve performance. It was observed
that ICU windows facing the north direction enjoyed the widest range
of successful window configuration possibilities at different WWRs.
ICU windows facing south enjoyed a reasonable number of
configuration options as well. By contrast, the ICU windows facing
the east orientation had a very limited number of options that provide
acceptable performance. These require additional local shading
measures at certain times due to glare incidence. Moreover, use of
horizontal sun breakers and solar screens to protect the ICU windows
proved to be more successful than the other alternatives in a wide
range of Window to Wall Ratios. By contrast, the use of light shelves
and vertical shading devices seemed questionable.
	%P 818 - 824