Office Environment

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Chapter 5
Office Environment
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Elements of the Office Environment
Lighting
Acoustics
Color Scheme
Condition of the Air
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Study of the relationship of employees to their
physical environment.
Ergonomics
Integrates several disciplines
Psychology
Physiology
Sociology
Communication theories
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Impact of Not Paying Attention to the Office
Environment
Employee productivity decreases.
Employee morale decreases.
Absenteeism and tardiness increase.
Error rates increase.
Physical well-being of employees may be
jeopardized.
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Repetitive motion injuries are becoming more
common
Carpal tunnel syndrome is most prevalent of these
injuries.
CTS results from the long-term irritation of the
tendons connecting ones hands and arm.
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Electromagnetic radiation is caused by
video display terminals
Is thought to cause a higher-than-average rate of
miscarriage, cancer, birth defects, and heart
disease.
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Computer vision syndrome is a result of video
display terminals
Occurs when the viewing requirements of the task
being performed exceed the visual capabilities
of the person performing the task.
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Indoor air pollution results from
improperly designed building ventilation systems
Often results from a ventilation system that has
outgrown its capability.
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Lighting Affects Employees
Psychologically
Physically
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Characteristics of Lighting Systems
Equivalent Spherical Illumination
Measures the effective- ness of lighting systems.
Visual Comfort Probability
Is a direct-brightness ratio.
Measures the quantity of light at the
work surface.
Task Illumination
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Equivalent Spherical Illumination
Is influenced negatively by glares and
reflections.
Is affected by the degree of contrast between
the work surface and the materials with
which the employee works.
Provides a measure of lighting uniformity.
An ESI of 40 or higher is recommended.
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Visual Comfort Probability
Is affected negatively by visible bright light
or visible reflectors.
Should be at least .70 for routine office work
and .90 when computers are used extensively
in the area.
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Task Illumination
Is expressed in raw foot-candles, which is the
amount of light produced one foot from a
candle.
Most office work requires 100 to 150 foot-candles
of light.
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Types of Lighting Systems
Direct
Semi-direct
General diffuse
Indirect
Semi-indirect
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Direct Lighting
90-100 percent of the illumination is directed
downward to work surface.
Creates glares, reflections, and shadows.
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Semi-direct Lighting
60-90 percent of light is directed down- ward,
with remainder directed upward and then
reflected back downward.
Shadows are less of a problem with direct
lighting systems.
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Indirect Lighting
90-100 percent of light is directed upward, which
then is diffused and is reflected downward.
Eliminates most shadows and glares.
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Semi-indirect Lighting
60-90 percent of the light is directed up- ward
and then reflected downward.
Remainder of light is directed downward.
Shadows and glare are more problematic than with
indirect lighting.
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General Diffuse
40-60 percent of light is directed to
work surface with remainder reflected down- ward.
Shadows and glare are more noticeable than with
semi-indirect.
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Task/ambient Lighting
Uses lighting fixtures mounted in the furniture.
Task
Illuminates the work surface.
Is frequently directed downward.
Ambient
Illuminates the area surrounding the
work surface.
Is frequently directed upward.
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Kinds of Lighting
Natural
Not very dependable.
Continues to be the most common type of lighting
system.
Fluorescent
Incandescent
Is not as efficient as fluorescent lighting.
High-intensity discharge
Sometimes distorts colors.
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Kinds of Automatic Light Control Systems
Photocell
Measures the amount of illumina- tion in an area
and adjusts accordingly.
Sensor
Senses the presence of people in an area and
turns lights on automatically.
Computer
Technology turns lights on and off at
predetermined times.
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Has both a physical and psychological impact on
humans.
Color
Psychologically, color affects
Productivity
Fatigue
Morale
Attitudes
Tension
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In designing a suitable color scheme, consider
Color combinations
Effect of light on color
Reflectance value of color
Impact of color
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Acceptable Color Coordination Schemes
Opposite each other on the color chart.
Complimentary
Colors on either side of a complementary color.
Split Complimentary
Three colors equally distant from one another on
the color chart.
Triad
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Effect of Light on Color
Different types of artificial lighting have
different color spectrums.
Fluorescent lighting does not enhance reds
and oranges.
Incandescent lighting does not enhance purple and
blue schemes.
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Reflectance Value of Color
Various colors possess different reflectance
values.
Lighter colors tend to reflect a greater
percentage of light than do darker colors.
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Impact of Color
Cool colors create calm and retiring moods.
Colors tend to create different moods
Warm colors create warm and cheerful moods.
Natural tints are mildly stimulating.
Deep purple and pale violet can create
depressing moods.
Gray has a sleep-inducing effect.
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Is the unit measure of sound and is the smallest
change in sound detectable by the human ear.
Decibel
Maximum decibel in an office should be 90.
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Ways to Control Office Noise
Proper Construction
Includes controlling airborne and structural
sounds.
Includes proper use of ceiling, floor, wall, and
window-covering materials.
Sound-absorbing Materials
Includes putting covers on equipment that
creates consider- able noise.
Sound-absorbing Devices
Masking Technique
Includes blending office noise that creates
considerable noise.
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Conditioning of the Air Considerations
Ideal working temperature is 68 degrees F.
Air Temperature
Humidity Level
Optimum level is 50 percent.
Adequate exchange rate is 25 cubic feet of air
per minute per person.
Circulation of the Air
Involves installing air purification systems that
remove germs, dust and dirt.
Cleanliness of the Air
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Benefits of Music
1. Helps increase job satisfaction and
productivity.
2. Helps reduce boredom and monotony.
3. Helps relieve mental and physical fatigue.
4. Helps reduce nervous tension and strain.
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Components of an Energy Conservation Program
Energy Conservation Committee
Energy Efficiency Study
Conservation Goals
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Office Security Dimensions
Protection of the organizations physical
property.
Protection of the organizations vital
information.