Codes & Ergonomics Charrette Narrative

This project is a rehabilitation design and a Class B building. The space has approximately seventeen permanent users. Specific codes of that will be used for this project are based on an occupancy less than five hundred people. The building needs at least two exits. The needs at least one fire rated stairwell and an elevator. Corridors need to be at least five feet wide. As for codes pertaining to distance between furniture and walls, there needs to be least three feet in distance. Doors are a minimum of 2’-8” with a clear swing out to egress. The required amount of bathroom stalls for every fifteen people is one and one fountain is also required.
In terms of ergonomics, there are five aspects to consider. They are safety, comfort, ease of use, productivity/performance, and aesthetics. Safety can be achieved by printing labels that are large enough to be read by everyone. Comfort can be achieved especially with office chairs that adjust so that occupant’s feet are on the floor, or the worksurface or keyboard is at an appropriate height, or preferably both. Pneumatic adjustability is easier to work than mechanical adjustability. Ease of use can be used in providing signage that clearly labels what spaces are. Productivity and performance can be accomplished by providing options to the user, enabling them to easily obtain things. Aesthetics can be obtained by providing signage that is consistent throughout the workplace and is aesthetically pleasing, but also so that information is easily accessible for all signs.
These codes and ergonomics will be applied to the design in that currently the space does not have an elevator and because it is two stories. A lot of the other codes have already been implemented into the design. As for ergonomics this will be achieved through furniture and finish selections.