Programming
- Molly Hunter
- Mar 10, 2020
- 4 min read
Two terms are used to describe the application of scientific information about human variability and adaptability to the design process.
Ergonomics, also known as Human Factors, describes information about humans in "working" situations. Anthropometrics deals with information about human body size and shape. Ergonomics is the process of designing a workspace or products for people who use them. It aims for to improve the workspace and products to reduce the chance of an injury or harm. In the workspace, According to Safe Work Australia , the total economic cost of work-related injuries and illnesses is estimated to be $60 billion dollars. The study of ergonomics uses several disciplines like, anthropometry, biomechanics, environmental, applied psychology, and social phycology. Anthropometry is the study of body sizes, shapes, populations and variations. Biomechanics is the study of muscles, levers, forces, and strength. Environmental physics is the study of noise, light, heat, cold, radiation, vibration body systems, hearing, vision, and sensations. Applied psychology is the study of skills, learning, errors and differences. Social physiology is the study of group activities, communication, learning and behaviors. All these factors come together to create ergonomics.
Anthropometrics is the comparative study of the measurements and capabilities of the human body. It derives from the Greek words 'anthropos', meaning human, and 'metron', meaning measure. (Designing Buildings.co: February 4th, 2020). The two basic areas of anthropometry are static anthropometry and functional anthropometry. Static anthropometry is the measurement of body sizes at rest and when using devises such as chairs, tables, beds, mobility devices, and so on. Functional anthropometry is the measurement of abilities related to the completion of tasks, such as reaching, maneuvering and motion and other aspects of space and equipment use. Anthropometrics aims to ensure that every person is comfortable as possible. Dimensions must be perfect, ceilings must be high enough, and doorways and hallways must be wide enough. Using anthropometrics, you must keep in mind that older people, children, people with mobility issues, wheelchair users may have specific requirements. It also may impact on space requirements for furniture and fittings. Since our world is changing so frequently, anthropometrics data is always changing with the population.
Ergonomics is a decision that a designer should be confident about. For example, when designing an office space, you must take into consideration that one item of furniture is rarely used by one person, so most furniture pieces must accommodate multiple people and their different sizes, and skills. When measurements are taken from a target population for a particular design, a mid-point, termed the 50th "percentile", divides users into two groups - one above and one below the "average." (Furniture Link, 2019). The design of workstations requires the anthropometric and economic data.
(Dohrmann Consulting: 2014)
Adjacency and Programming Matrix
Codes Summary
1. Provision shall be made to preserve patient privacy from observation from outside an examination/treatment room through an open door.
2. Area. Each examination/ observation room shall have a minimum clear floor area of 80 square feet
3. Clearances: Room arrangement shall permit a minimum clear dimension of 2 feet 8 inches at each side and at the foot of the examination table, recliner, or chair.
4. A hand washing- station shall be provided.
5. A counter or shelf shall be provided.
6. Door swings should be oriented to provide patient privacy.
7. A counter or shelf for writing or electronic documentation shall be provided.
8. Each treatment room shall have a minimum clear floor area of 120 square feet. The minimum room dimension shall be 10 feet.
9. Locked storage for biologicals and drugs.
10. A separate room or closet for storing clean and sterile supplies shall be provided. This storage shall be in addition to that of cabinets and shelves.
11. Provisions shall be made for separate collection, storage, and disposal of soiled materials.
12. Toilets shall be provided separate from public toilets and located to permit access from patient care areas without passing through publicly accessible areas.
13. Toilet rooms with hand-washing stations shall be provided adjacent to procedure rooms if procedures provided require patient toilet facilities.
14. Toilets for public use shall be conveniently accessible from the waiting area without passing through patient care or staff work areas or suits.
15. Conveniently accessible provisions for drinking water shall be provided.
16. Provisions shall be made for securing medical records of all media types.
17. Consideration should be given to special needs of specific patient groups in a shared/general waiting area, such as separation of adolescent and geriatric patients.
18. The identified area shall be located to maintain confidentiality of records and shall be either restricted to staff movement or remote from treatment and public areas.
19. Public corridors shall have a minimum width of 5 feet. Staff-only corridors shall be permitted to be 3 feet 8 inches wide unless greater width is required by NFPA 101.
20. Hand sanitation dispensers shall be provided in addition to hand-washing stations.
21. Selected flooring surfaces shall be easy to maintain, readily cleanable, and appropriately wear-resistant for the location.
22. Flooring surfaces shall allow for ease of ambulation and self-propulsion.
23. Flooring surfaces shall provide smooth transitions between different flooring materials.
24. Color contrast between walls and floors and minimized transitions to different types of flooring may reduce falling risk.
25. Flush thresholds should be used to reduce tripping.
26. Slip-resistant flooring products shall be considered for flooring surfaces in wet areas.
27. Ramps, entries from exterior to interior space, and areas that include water for patient services.
28. Highly polished flooring or flooring finishes that create glare shall be avoided.
29. Carpet with padding in patient areas shall be glued down or stretched taut and free of loose edges or wrinkles that might create hazards or interfere with operation of lifts, wheelchairs, walkers, wheeled carts, or residents utilizing orthotic devices.
30.Wall finishes shall be washable. In the vicinity of plumbing fixtures, wall finishes shall be smooth, scrubbable, and moisture-resistant.
31. Wall protection devices and corner guards shall be durable and scrubbable.
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