2 Basic design data

David Adler

KEY POINTS: considerably in most dimensions. Anthropometrics is of crucial

• Certain dimensions are crucial to individual use and health importance to architects as the ultimate basis of the design of most

• Satisfying the average situation is unlikely to help the majority buildings must be the size of the people using them. Average

• Each case must be carefully considered with all classes of

users, particularly people with different disabilities, in mind
dimensions for British adults are given in 2.1 and 2.2, but in most
cases the use of an average dimension will not produce satisfaction
for the majority of users.
Contents
1 Introduction 2.02 Normal distribution
2 Anthropometrics When surveys are taken of adult males, for example, they show a
3 Ergonomics ‘normal distribution’ curve: the traditional statistical bell shape,
4 Disabled people
5 Circulation spaces
6 Activities
7 Furniture
8 Storage
9 References

910
790
1 INTRODUCTION

595
In this chapter will be found basic data which are needed for the 325
design of most types of buildings. However, some basic matters

245
160

are dealt with in later chapters, principally the following:

• Sanitary provision and activity spaces in Chapter 3

• External
Requirements for vehicles in Chapter 4
545

495
• Eating andanddrinking
440

landscape design in Chapter 6

• 18. in other than domestic situations in Chapter

595
2 ANTHROPOMETRICS 1090
2.01
Anthropometrics is the science concerned with the measurement of
humankind. Inevitably it is bound up with statistics, as people vary

780
1790

465
1740
1630

1425
1740

360
755

720

2.1 Mean average (50th percentile) dimensions of adult British males

2-1
2-2 Basic design data

1605 705
395

1610

1610
370

1505

1505
1310

1310
620
850
740
555
235

155

480
500

400

570
2.2 Mean average (50th percentile) dimensions of adult British
960
females

2.3. This shape is totally definable by the two parameters, mean 1000
and standard deviation (SD). The mean (in this case) is the average
already discussed. For the purposes of the architect, the standard
deviation can be taken as the difference from the mean within 750
which 84 per cent of the population are included. The percentage
included is called the ‘percentile’, and it has become accepted
(with certain exceptions) that designers generally seek to accom- 500
modate those within the band between the 5th and 95th percentile
– that is, they do not attempt to satisfy the last 10 per cent of the point corresponding
people. In each case it is the job of the architect to decide whether 250 to 64% of men
70 below this height
in fact this will be acceptable.
standard
Table II gives the principal dimensions as shown in 2.4 for men deviation
and women, for the 5th, 50th and 95th percentiles.
When a survey of a non-cohesive group (such as of mixed-age 1740 heights
mean
adolescents, or men and women together) is taken, a normal
distribution curve is not obtained. We cannot predict the percentile 2.3 Normal distribution ‘bell’ curve. The y-axis plots the
dimensions for these populations, and this is why the tables here numbers of men (in this example) in a group who are the
and elsewhere segregate populations into groups. Within these height given on the x-axis (within certain limits). In a normal
groups the dimensions are calculable given the mean and the SD, distribution the average, the mean and the median are all
using the formula: equal
 Basic design data 2-3

X(p) = mean + SD × z Table I Selected p and z values for the

normal distribution curve

where: X(p) is the value of the dimension for

the pth percentile p z

z is a factor from Table I

0.001 –4.26
In the tables the standard deviation is not directly given, but may 0.01 –3.72
0.1 –3.09
itself be calculated from the values of the 50th (or mean) and 95th 0.5 –2.58
percentiles: e.g. 1 –2.33
2 –2.05
X(95) – mean = SD × 1.64 (the value of z for p = 95) 2.5 –1.96
3 –1.88
Example: A doorway is to be designed to accommodate 99.9 per 4 –1.75
5 –1.64
cent of British men. We see from Table II that the mean stature is 10 –1.28
1740 mm and the SD is (1855 – 1740) ÷ 1.64 = 70. The height that 20 –0.84
will fulfil the 99.9 per cent criterion is thus 1740 + (70 × 3.09) = 25 –0.67
30 –0.52
1956 mm, a considerable increase on the value of 1855 mm which 40 –0.25
accommodates the 95th percentile. In both cases the addition of a 50 0
60 0.25
further 25 mm would be necessary to allow for footwear (see Table
70 0.52
III). 75 0.67
80 0.84
90 1.28
2.03 Clothing 95 1.64
The tables are all consistent in giving the dimensions of the 96 1.75
unclothed body. Increases due to clothing vary considerably but 97 1.88
97.5 1.96
Table III gives the normally acceptable values. 98 2.05
99 2.33
99.5 2.58
2.04 Other nationalities
99.9 3.09
Dimensional surveys taken elsewhere show considerable varia- 99.99 3.72
tions. Table IV gives the range of stature found in various countries. 99.999 4.26

For most purposes other dimensions can be approximately derived

by proportionality with Table II, but more accurate figures can be
obtained from the References at the end of this chapter. 2.06 Elderly people
People tend to shrink slightly with age. More significantly, the body
2.05 Children and adolescents tends to be less flexible in regard to adapting to dimensionally
Statures (or equivalents) for various ages in Britain are given in unfavourable situations. It is therefore more important that design
Table V. Here proportionality may not give sufficient accuracy, and allows for elderly people where that is appropriate, accepting that
reference should be made to one of the references for other younger people may be slightly disadvantaged. Table VI gives
dimensions. dimensions for people between the ages of 65 and 80.

Table II Dimensions of British adults

Men Women
Percentiles Percentiles

5th 50th 95th 5th 50th 95th

Standing
1 Stature 1625 1740 1855 1505 1610 1710 95th: minimum floor to roof clearance; allow for shoes and headgear in
appropriate situations
2 Eye height 1515 1630 1745 1405 1505 1610 50th: height of visual devices, notices, etc.
3 Shoulder height 1315 1425 1535 1215 1310 1405 5th: height for maximum forward reach controls worktop height (see para. 302)
4 Elbow height 1005 1090 1180 930 1005 1085 controls worktop height (see para. 302)
5 Hand (knuckle) height 690 755 825 660 720 780 95th: maximum height of grasp points for lifting
6 Reach upwards 1925 2060 2190 1790 1905 2020 5th: maximum height of controls; subtract 40 mm to allow for full grasp

Sitting
7 Height above seat level 850 910 965 795 850 910 95th: minimum seat to roof clearance; may need to allow for headgear
8 Eye height above seat level 735 790 845 685 740 795 50th: height of visual devices above seat level
9 Shoulder height above seat level 540 595 645 505 555 610 50th: height above seat level for maximum forward reach
10 Length from elbow to fingertip 440 475 510 400 430 460 50th: easy reach forward at table height
11 Elbow above seat level 195 245 295 185 235 280 50th: height above seat of armrests or desk tops
12 Thigh clearance 135 160 185 125 155 180 95th: space under tables
13 Top of knees, height above floor 490 545 595 455 500 540 95th: clearance under tables above floor or footrest
14 Popliteal height 395 440 490 355 400 445 50th: height of seat above floor or footrest
15 Front of abdomen to front of knees 253 325 395 245 315 385 95th: minimum forward clearance at thigh level from front of body or from
obstruction, e.g. desktop
16 Buttock – popliteal length 440 495 550 435 480 530 5th: length of seat surface from backrest to front edge
17 Rear of buttocks to front of knees 540 595 645 520 570 620 95th: minimum forward clearance from seat back at height for highest seating
posture
18 Extended leg length 985 1070 1160 875 965 1055 5th (less than): maximum distance of foot controls, footrest, etc. from seat back
19 Seat width 310 360 405 310 370 435 95th: width of seats, minimum distance between armrests

Sitting and standing

20 Forward grip reach 720 780 835 650 705 755 5th: maximum comfortable forward reach at shoulder level
21 Fingertip span 1655 1790 1925 1490 1605 1725 5th: limits of lateral fingertip reach, subtract 130mm to allow for full grasp
22 Width over elbows akimbo 865 945 1020 780 850 920 95th: lateral clearance in workspace
23 Shoulder width 420 465 510 355 395 435 95th: minimum lateral clearance in workspace above waist
24 Chest or bust depth 215 250 285 210 250 295
25 Abdominal depth 220 270 320 205 255 305
 2-4 Basic design data

Table III Allowance for clothing

21

23 Men Women

Shoe height 25 mm 45 mm
Hat height 75 mm 100 mm

Table IV Statures of the adults of various nationalities

Men Percentiles Women Percentiles

5th 50th 95th 5th 50th 95th

British 1625 1740 1855 1505 1610 1710

US 1640 1755 1870 1520 1625 1730
French 1600 1715 1830 1500 1600 1700
German 1645 1745 1845 1520 1635 1750
Swedish 1630 1740 1850 1540 1640 1740
Swiss 1535 1690 1845 1415 1590 1765
Polish 1595 1695 1795 1480 1575 1670
Japanese 1560 1655 1750 1450 1530 1610
Hong Kong Chinese 1585 1680 1775 1455 1555 1655
Indian 1535 1640 1745 1415 1515 1615

•
19
Table V Statures (or equivalents) for Britons in various age groups
22

Percentiles

5th 50th 95th

New-born infants 465 500 535

Infants less than 6 months old 510 600 690
Infants 6 months to 1 year old 655 715 775
Infants 1 year to 18 months 690 745 800
Infants 18 months to 2 years 780 840 900

Boys/men Girls/women
Percentiles Percentiles

5th 50th 95th 5th 50th 95th

Children, 2 years old 850 930 1010 825 890 955

Children, 3 years old 910 990 1070 895 970 1045
Children, 4 years old 975 1050 1125 965 1050 1135
Children, 5 years old 1025 1110 1195 1015 1100 1185
Children, 6 years old 1070 1170 1270 1070 1160 1250
Children, 7 years old 1140 1230 1320 1125 1220 1315
• Children, 8 years old 1180 1280 1380 1185 1280 1375
• Children, 9 years old 1225 1330 1435 1220 1330 1440
Children, 10 years old 1290 1390 1490 1270 1390 1510
• Children, 11 years old 1325 1430 1535 1310 1440 1570
• Children, 12 years old 1360 1490 1620 1370 1500 1630
Children, 13 years old 1400 1550 1700 1430 1550 1670
• Children, 14 years old 1480 1630 1780 1480 1590 1700
15 years old 1555 1690 1825 1510 1610 1710
16 years old 1620 1730 1840 1520 1620 1720
17 years old 1640 1750 1860 1520 1620 1720
18 years old 1660 1760 1860 1530 1620 1710
Aged 19–25 1640 1760 1880 1520 1620 1720
Aged 19–45 1635 1745 1860 1515 1615 1715
Aged 19–65 1625 1740 1855 1505 1610 1710
Aged 45–65 1610 1720 1830 1495 1595 1695
Aged 65–85 1575 1685 1790 1475 1570 1670
Elderly people 1515 1640 1765 1400 1515 1630

3 ERGONOMICS

3.01
This is the discipline that deals with the dimensions of people at
2.4 Key dimensions listed in Table II. These figures are based work, including activities not directly connected with earning a
on surveys of unclothed volunteers, and in using them living. Such matters as the space required by people using
allowances should be made for the wearing of clothes and shoes motorcars, flying aeroplanes and operating machinery come under
(see Table III). Dimension references marked • are most this heading. Many of the dimensions required for this will be
commonly used found in Table II.
 Basic design data 2-5

Table VI Dimensions for British people aged 65 to 80

precentage reasonably comfortable

Men Women
women aged
Percentiles Percentiles 65-80
90
5th 50th 95th 5th 50th 95th
80
all men
Standing
1 Stature 1575 1685 1790 1475 1570 1670 60
2 Eye height 1470 1575 1685 1375 1475 1570
3 Shoulder height 1280 1380 1480 1190 1280 1375
4 Elbow height 975 895 975 740 810 875 40
5 Hand (knuckle) height 670 730 795 645 705 760
6 Reach upwards 1840 1965 2090 1725 1835 1950 all women
20
Sitting
7 Height above seat level 815 875 930 750 815 885 10
8 Eye height above seat level 705 760 815 645 710 770
9 Shoulder height above seat level 520 570 625 475 535 590 800 900 1000 1100
10 Length from elbow to fingertip 425 460 490 390 420 450 worktop heights
11 Elbow above seat level 175 220 270 165 210 260
12 Thigh clearance 125 150 175 115 145 170
13 Top of knees, height above floor 480 525 575 455 500 540
2.5 Graphs of percentages comfortable at each worktop height.
14 Popliteal height 385 425 470 355 395 440 These assume that the worktop is between 50 mm above and
15 Front of abdomen to front of knees 210 280 350 325 295 365 100 mm below elbow height, and that shoes are worn
16 Buttock – popliteal length 430 485 535 430 480 525
17 Rear of buttocks to front of knees 530 580 625 520 565 615
19 Seat width 305 350 395 310 370 430
further worsens the situation. It is recommended that sink surrounds
Sitting and standing
20 Forward grip reach 700 755 805 640 685 735 should be fitted at least 75 mm above normal worktop height.
21 Fingertip span 1605 1735 1860 1460 1570 1685
23 Shoulder width 400 445 485 345 385 380
3.04 Serveries
A particular type of standing worktop is a counter, 2.6. This can be
in a shop, restaurant or public house, or be a reception counter in
3.02 Worktop heights an office or a hotel. There is often no good reason why the same
The most common ailment after the common cold is probably the height is needed on each side, and it is common for the non-public
‘bad back’. Many believe that this can be caused by working on a side to be higher than the other. Details of such can be found in the
surface that is too low, causing stooping. Both when standing and appropriate specialist chapters.
sitting to work, it is important that the worktop should be as
fo11ows: 3.04 Sitting worktops
Traditionally, writing desks are standard in height at 710 mm, 2.7.
• force
For manipulative tasks involving moderate degrees of both
and precision: between 50 and 100 mm below elbow
Desks for typewriters and word processors (where the working

height of the person concerned

• For delicate tasks: between 50 and 1000 mm above elbow
height
• For heavy tasks, particularly those involving downward pres-
sure on the workpiece: between 100 and 300 mm below elbow
750 900 min
height.
if more
than one
3.02 Standing worktops person
Worktops at which people stand are found in factories and in the serving
home kitchen. Since women are generally shorter in stature than 850
men, the heights of these respective surfaces have tended to 500 min
if one
reinforce the traditional roles of the sexes: factory worktops at
person
1050 mm being seen as too high for many women and kitchen only
worktops at 900 mm (or lower) being too low for men. It is 100
possible in factories to provide small moveable platforms to assist
women workers, but this type of solution is not available where the 2.6 Serving counter
worktop is too low for the user.
In 2.5 the percentage comfortable at each worktop height is
600
plotted assuming that the users are wearing shoes and comfort is
achieved with tops between 500 mm above elbow height and 450
100 mm lower. It can be seen that the standard kitchen worktop
height of 900 mm actually seems to suit no-one. 850 mm would be
a good height where only elderly women are likely to use it. The
260
680 machine operator

surprising thing is that 900 mm is uncomfortable for 84 per cent of angle 3° ± 1° 380 – 470
all women! 1000 mm is ideal for most women, but only for 40 per
710 gp

cent of men. The traditional men’s height of 1050 mm appears to

620

satisfy both 76 per cent of men and 84 per cent of women.

420 – 500
440 or

seat width 400

3.03 Sink heights
One of the most common domestic chores is washing up. It is
customary for sinks to be set into worktops, or fitted with their rims
level with them. Since the effective working surface in this case is
the base of the sink, usually about 100 mm lower than the rim, this 2.7 Sitting worktop
2-6 Basic design data

viewing distance accessibility accessibility

refer to 2.8b 50% 83%

inaccessible
47°
not easily accessible

accessible

easily accessible
620

fixed adjustable wall

shelves unit shelves
2.9 Accessibility of storage:
150
min

pull-out base
a Zones of accessibility. unit shelves
450
600

2.8 a Computer workstation

[781,5] [859,5]
5
normal [1075,5]

1300
minimum
distance
4 from screen
400 mm 700 b Frequently needed
character height (mm)

preferred
minimum visual angle articles.
3 distance between 20
from touch
screen and 22 minutes
300 mm
2

1
1900

200 400 600 800 1000 1200

viewing distance (mm)

b Viewing distance
500

surface is the top of the keyboard) are available 30 mm lower.

c Less frequently needed d Less frequently needed
Chairs for sitting workers are now by legislation required to
articles higher articles lower
provide for vertical adjustment so that each individual can find the
right relationship with the worktop. However, it is important that
the feet remain in contact with the ground, and where this is not 3.06 Storage
possible, footrests should be provided. Two of the commonest operations at work and in the home is the
stowage and retrieval of items into and from storage. 2.9 shows the
recommended heights for various storage areas for general use;
3.05 Computer work stations 2 . 1 0 gives particular requirements where elderly people are
Many office workers now work with visual display units (VDUs), concerned.
and these introduce further requirements for comfortable and
healthy working. People often find working at a screen tiring to the
eyes. 2.8 gives the recommended dimensions for minimising 3.07 Maintenance
fatigue; some people may need special spectacles. Most VDUs are Buildings and the services and plant therein need constant
placed at or above eye level so that normal bifocals do not help. maintenance. Something frequently forgotten is the need for easy
Opticians are now used to supplying ‘intermediate’ spectacles with access to certain areas. It is reasonable to assume that people
the normal bifocal facility for viewing the keyboard and material employed on maintenance work will be sufficiently agile and not
on the desk, with the upper part allowing focus on the near greatly above average size. The dimensions shown in 2.11 to 2.18
distance. This permits the VDU to be placed between 900 to are therefore less than would be required for use by the general
1000 mm distant from the user. public.
 Basic design data 2-7

1730
reach e
max reach max
1435 1585

–3 sd
shelf max

reach max – 65 (hand height)

obstruction 1370

mean upward reach – 3 sd

350 shelf

reach max –65

max

sd = 97
(hand height)
1520

2.10 Accessibility of storage used by elderly people:

a Maximum reach over worktop. b Maximum reach to unobstructed wall-mounted cupboard

min 2450

450
1550
700
1350
1220

920

800

1250
600

300

2.11 Body clearance: maintenance reach levels

1100
900

1450
700

2.13 Body clearances

650 dia
(800 square min. 600 high × 400 mm wide
preferable)
min 560
to 600

2150
opt
min 1600

840

50°
35°
30°
20°

240 opt range

180 –186 280
min 450 dia min 300 opt
or square opt
to 350 tread
2.12 Service accesses 2.14 Service access: catwalk 2.15 Service access: stairs
2-8 Basic design data

900 900

380 R
W
max diam40 mm
2150
opt
angle
850
(910 at 0°) 150
Vertical Inclined

generally suitable for vertical movements

20° from 75° to 90° ladder frame should
10° extend 900 mm above platform
0°
opt range widths: 380 mm min, 450 mm desirable
600 mm min between side walls
150 mm toe space
2.16 Service access: ramps
angle R(mm) W(mm)
75.0° 330 1150
78.0° 335 1050
80.5° 340 1000
83.0° 350 950
85.0° 360 900
87.5° 370 850
90.0° 380 max 800
300 min

provide back guard over 6000 mm high

2.18 Service access: rung ladders

angle

recommended for angles 50° to 75° paralleled by steps. Provision for blind people needs to be made in
handrails are required on both sides if risers are not the design of signs, raised letters being preferable to Braille,
left open or if there are no side walls particularly in lifts. Lifts should ideally provide audible as well as
widths: 500 mm to 600 mm with handrails
visual indication of floor level.
600 mm min between side walls

angle W(mm) Q(mm) 4.02 People in wheelchairs

50° – 55° 1620° – 1570° 880 Wheelchairs are of three main types:
57° – 60° 1500° – 1450° 900
• Manually self-propelled
63° – 66° 1370° – 1320°
69° – 72° 1270° – 1200°
910
920 • Propelled by motor
74° – 77° 1150° – 1050° 950 • Propelled by attendant

recommended riser 180 mm to 250 mm It is the manually self-propelled chair that is used by most active
tread 75 mm to 150 mm disabled people, and needs to be routinely catered for in buildings.
45 mm diam max for handrail 2.19 gives the dimensions relevant to this type of chair, and 2.20
2.17 Service access: step ladders and 2.21 has dimensions of men and women in such a chair.

4.03 Ramps
The most common provision made for wheelchairs is a ramp.
However, most such ramps are difficult to use, both in mounting
4 DISABLED PEOPLE and in descending. Except for very short ramps (less than 0.5 m)
they should be no steeper than 8 per cent (preferably 6 per cent)
4.01 and unbroken lengths of ramp no longer than 10 m. For a rise of
At any one time about 8 per cent of people in Britain are in one only 650 mm, therefore, a good ramp would take up a considerable
way or another disabled. The principal disabilities of concern to area, 2.22. The use of a chair lift or of ordinary lifts is therefore
the architect are those that mean the person has to use a wheelchair often preferable to a ramp, although these suffer from the need for
for most or all of the time. That person is handicapped by this in adequate maintenance, and problems arise when they break down.
two significant ways: first, the eyes and arms are permanently at Details of lifts designed for use by elderly and disabled people are
sitting rather than standing level, and second, the wheelchair itself given in Chapter 5.
takes up to five times the space needed by an ambulant person.
While people in wheelchairs constitute only about one quarter of 4.04 Width of corridors
one per cent of the population, society has rightly decided that the The other necessity for wheelchair users is adequate width and
design of most buildings should take their needs into account. design of corridors and doorways. The width of a corridor should
There are other forms of disability that are of importance to the not be less than 900 mm for a self-propelled wheelchair, or 1.8 m
building designer. People on crutches can be disadvantaged by if two wheelchairs are likely to want to pass each other, 2.23 to
ramps provided for wheelchairs, and all ramps should normally be 2.26.