BATHROOM ERGONOMICS
AAMANI DADI
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY ,COLLEGE STATION
BATHROOM ERGONOMICS
Introduction
Bathrooms are complex areas which involve many human factors considerations in the design. Efficient planning for the bathrooms require understanding of ergonomic principles. Understanding and implementing an Ergonomic design in bathrooms, maximizes comfort for human beings. A residential bathroom generally consists of the following:
• Bathtub
• Wash Basin
• Toilet
• Shower
• Storage
• Lights
• Flooring and surfaces
• Other Elements
Various ergonomic considerations are involved in the design of the above mentioned components of the bathroom. In this paper, the interaction of the people with the components of the bathroom and the various design components, involving ergonomic considerations in Wash basin, toilet, shower, storage, lights, flooring and surfaces along with other important miscellaneous elements are discussed.
Wash Basin
In a study conducted by O.Aksoyt, Z. Erturk, K. Ozturk, H. Saltik and J. S. Ward in 1977, the ergonomics factors relevant to the Wash Basin design were studied. The dimensions and the positions of wash basins in several different types of apartments along with the dimensions of the equipment such as taps and mirrors were documented. The opinions of the people on the suitability of the wash basins, based on the activities that they perform were surveyed. In an attempt to achieve the acceptable height for the wash basin, a laboratory investigation was conducted in which a frame work was constructed that permitted a typical wash basin to be moved between 46cms and 150cms above the floo...
... middle of paper ...
...nents are put up.
References
Aksoyt, Z. Erturk, K. Ozturk, H. Saltik , J. S. Ward ( 1977), study of ergonomic factors in Wash Basin design.
Judy A Stevens, Elizabeth N .Haas, Tadesse Haileyesus (2008), Non fatal bathroom injuries among persons of age greater than 15 in Unites States.
Richard G. Stefanacci, Dan Haimowitz, (2014), Bathroom Assistances.
Yun-chun Tung, Shih-cheng Hu, Tung Yi Tsai,(2009) Influence of bathroom ventilation rates and toilet location on odor removal.
S. Pollak (2007), Electrocution and lightning strike. http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/lightHealth/AARP/designers/lightingRooms/bathroom.asp http://www.forbes.com/sites/houzz/2013/10/15/how-to-light-your-bathroom-right/ http://bathroomsandkitchens.realviewtechnologies.com/?iid=10334&startpage=page0000003 http://www.forresidentialpros.com/article/10345310/bath-ergonomics
US Department of Labor, (2009). Guidelines for nursing homes: Ergonomics for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (OSHA 3182-3R 2009). Retrieved from website: https://www.osha.gov/ergonomics/guidelines/nursinghome/final_nh_guidelines.pdf
In a society becoming burdened by both active and sedentary work, the consequences of overuse injuries, back and neck pain, and weight gain are inevitable. In order to protect the well-being of workers and improve their overall quality of life, the implementation of ergonomic strategies in the workplace is becoming increasingly popular. It is commonly believed that work-related physical symptoms were not addressed in writing until the mid-1800s, but it must be recognized that ergonomics has crucial roots in the practices of Ancient Greece. With changing philosophies throughout history, designers have built on Greek construction methods, work regulations, and tools to improve the comfort, safety, and efficacy associated with working.
Utzon, J. (2002). Sydney Opera House Design Principles (Publication). Retrieved October 1, 2011, from http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/docs/nominations/operahouse_designprinciples.pdf
It has utility for professional nursing in the areas of nursing practice, nursing education and administration.The self-care approach is contemporary with the concepts of health promotion and health maintenance.Additional patient can get benefit from home visit by occupational therapies,physiotherapy and doctors and nurses.The home usually can be modified so that narrow doorways,stairs and bathtubs did not interfere with ability to manage personal needs.Many families cannot afford to pay for extensive alterations or move to more convenient living quarters.Safety is an important considerations when making adaptions to a home.Many areas of the home can be made safer through the removal of throw rugs and furniture that may cause an accident as move around the house or apartment.Further more assistant devices such as grab bars can assist patient in using the toilet ,tub or shower and can be installed at strategic spots in the bath room.A raised toilet seat and tub bench maybe helpful.A hand held shower can be attached to the bath or shower faucet so a shower may be taken while seated.Plastic strips that adhere to the bottom of the tub or shower help guard against falls.Long handled brushes, washing mitts with pockets
The concept of public bathing first arose in ancient Greece and later spread to Rome. The earliest Roman baths date back as far as the 4th century BC, and contained little more than a “row of hip-baths.” Originally mixed bathing between men and women was common, however Emperor Hadrian passed a law forbidding it in the second century. As a result, bath complexes had different hours for men and women or “built additional facilities so that both sexes could be accommodated at the same time.” Over time, advances in technology allowed Romans to “improve size and efficiency [of bath houses] and eventually to build the great double-circulation baths (thermae) which combined hot and cold bathing facilities, swimming pools, running tracks, sports grounds, and libraries […].” Bath complexes became so large that they could...
Shower buyers fall in three pricing segments: premium, standard and value. First, premium segment is conducted of people who mainly shop in showrooms. Their focus is on great service and high performance. Second segment is called standard. Customers in this segment rely on plumber recommendation and emphasize performance and service. Value segment conducts mainly customers who are primarily concerned with convenience and price. Thus, they like to avoid excavation and also tend to rely on independent plumber in selecting a product. Value segment falls in with DIY market, where people tend to buy in large retail shops, interested mainly in inexpensive models that are easy to install and they are also strongly price sensitive.
...plications affecting efficiency. More focus is necessary on the indoor environment in schools, day care centres, hospitals and nursing homes for elderly, because children, hospital patients and elderly are sensitive subgroups. There are a number of indications that the indoor environment at home is normally worse than in the indoor office environment. The population spends most time at home, and children are exposed at home for many years (National Safety Council, 2009). This suggests that improvements of the home environment may be a cost-effective to reduce the indoor exposure burden in the population. The link between indoor and outdoor air pollution should not be ignored, as most of the exposure to outdoor pollutants occurs indoors. Finally, the function of energy saving and climate changes for the indoor environment and SBS will be an important future issue.
In the health history of the older adult two components to include is their elimination and rest habits. It is important to assess the availability of the toilet facilities and the time it takes to reach the area. Any medications that the client it taking prescribed or over the counter and how it is affecting their elimination process. The physical mobility and exercise regimen capacity of the person. The nutritional status of the elderly person also plays a key role in the elimination habit. The nurse may ask the client about the number of hours they get of sleep. It is also important to find out if they are awakening several times during the night to go to the restroom. Whether they are taking naps doing the day or do they fall asleep in the evening.
The Interaction Order of Public Bathrooms, written by Spencer E. Cahill, is an article that does a fairly well job at analyzing interpersonal relationships and individual practices in restrooms. Cahill used ideologies of Emile Durkheim, Erving Goffman, Margaret Atwood, Horace Miner, and Lyn Lofland to help construct his perspective on the individual’s expectations of bathroom etiquette through our experiences with others and how we internalize these behaviors.
Office ergonomics as is the case with other disciplines in ergonomics all emerged in the 1940s during the world war (McCormick and Saunders 1993). Difficulties arouse from soldiers inability to handle technical equipment produced for the war due to physical incompatibility or lack of understanding of the equipment and when the advancements in technology was transferred to the civilian populous after the war, the same problems in human-machine system incompatibility were observed. This led to a study by military personnel, academics psychologists and physiologist all researching on solutions to the complications arising from the operation of the machines (Kumar and Cohn, 2013).
“When it comes to interior design styles, give yourself the permission to think outside the box. There are so many wonderful ways to define who you are by creating a magnificent living space. Allow yourself to be creative. Be stylish. And when I say outside the box, I don’t necessarily mean go crazy, I simply suggest you take some steps to create the type of home that you really want or that your client is asking you to create” (Yule 1). Looking into interior design there are many elements that contribute to the way people view the room or area, such as the color, flooring, furniture, fabrics, and accessories in every room. Within the following research paper, interior design will be discussed by the interior design styles, the effects of color, and the trends of bathrooms.
Meanwhile, due to the fact that the space is being designed specifically for the individuals needs therefore, it conveys personality and energy of the person. Evoke harmonized feelings, perspective and state of the client’s needs play major role in the final design. For instance, if a client wants to keep some of their existing sentimental valuables (such as a piece of art work), designers must work around that need. The designer can create do-it-yourself projects where they can satisfy the customer’s needs while being on budget. Harmony and balance are also important, so designers must keep in mind functionality ( feng
Despite the fact that novel technologies are continuously under development to complement existing practices in coming up with greener buildings, the universal intent is that such structures are designed to diminish the general effect on the built environment on health of the humans in addition to the natural environment via: Diminishing environmental degradation, pollution and waste, improving productivity of the employee and guarding occupant health, efficient usage of water, energy, in addition to other resources.
According to this situation, we found out the various essential elements of “Your Choice Furniture”.
Separate cleaning equipment shall be provided for use in toilets, public areas and external areas. (Unsure)