asic Human Dimension Data

Basic Human Dimension Data

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Designers have traditionally designed sites, buildings, vehicles and furniture with the average-size person in
mind. This statistically-based "average" person has generally been an adult male without disabilities.

The result has been an environment which does not really meet the size and spatial requirements of many,
if not most, of its users. The needs of extremely small or large adults, children, and persons who have physical
disabilities have been overlooked in most of the criteria used to design the built environment. Although it can
serve as only a general guide, this section should provide increased awareness of the spatial requirements
of all people, especially those with disabilities.

As the illustrations on the following pages show, the eye and arm levels of people in wheelchairs are
considerably lower than average, standing adults. This data is particularly significant in determining reach
ranges, work surface heights and maximum heights for storage units, controls and . It is i mportant to

signae
keep in mind that most accessibility guidelines such as , ANSI, and others are based on "average"

AD

UFAS
dimensions for people in wheelchairs. The arm and eye levels of elderly people and children using
wheelchairs can vary widely from those norms, and should also be considered in the design of a barrier-free
environment.

Special emphasis is given througis book to spatial requirements which result

from the use of wheelchairs because persons using wheelchairs account for a
significant percentage of people with disabilities, and because spatial require-
ments for such persons generally meet or exceed the requirements of persons with
other disabilities.

The sources for the anthropomorphic data in this chapter are as follows:

Charles George Ramsey and Harold Reeve Sleeper, Architectural Graphic Standards, eighth edition,
prepared for the American Institute of Architects, John Ray Hoke, Jr., , editor ( New York: John Wiley AI
& Sons, 1 988), pages 2-8.

Julius , , and Martin , , ASID , Human Dimension & Interior Space, A Source
Zelnik

AI
Panero

AI

ASID

Book of Design Reference Standards ( New York: Whitney Library of Design, 1979). Dimensions for
adults are on pages 85-98; dimensions for children are on pages 1 06-110.

42 The template on the page is courtesy of the Barrier-free Design Center of Herman Miller.
precding

AN ILLUSTRATED HANDBOOK
 Basic Human
Dimension Data

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1/1
24 in I I 22 in 1 4 in - 1 8 in 13 in - 1 7 in
610 mm I 1 560 mm 355 mm
1 - 455 mm 330 mm - 430 mm

Man and Woman without Disabilities Children without Disabilities

VIP

30 in up to 48 in 36 in 28 in
760 mm 1220 mm 915 mm 710 mm

Man with Dog Guide Man and Woman on Crutches Man with Walker

43

ACCESS FOR ALL

People who use wheelchairs need wider spaces to
move aboutthan average standing adults. However,
people who use other mobility aids such as walkers
or crutches, parents with strollers, people with dog
guides or canes, or those carrying large objects may
need wider spaces than even people using wheel-
chairs. This data is significant in determining not
only the width of pathways, ramps, stairs and door-
ways but also the size of toilet stalls and clear floor
space.

150 mm l I 610 mm I 1 150 mm

 48 in
1220 mm
clear floor space

E
E
0

C E
E c
2

E
Lt1

Child's Forward Reach Adult's Forward Reach

25 in
635 mm
max

13 in - 1 8 in
330 mm - 455 mm

Ex

25 in
Child's Front Reach Over Counter 635 mm
min

45
Adult's Front Reach Over Counter

ACCESS FOR ALL

 A large portion of most accessiblity guidelines is
based on the maneuvering and turning spaces re-
quired by people who use wheelchairs. This data is
useful in the planning of areas such as restrooms,
corridors and entrances, as well as the placement
and spacing of furnishings in public areas such as
lobbies, auditoriums and libraries.

The chart on page 48 illustrates some of the standard

dimensions of manual and motorized wheelchairs
which are commonly used today. Although many
people still use manual wheelchairs, a significant
number of people now use motorized ones. Wheel-
chair technology has developed to the point where
motorized chairs can be used by people with very
little mobility. Models are available which can be
guided by use of a mouthstick, the nod of a head or
even voice commands. As such technology be-
comes advanced to allow people with more severe
mobility limitations to use wheelchairs, the propor-
tion of motorized chairs will continue to increase.

36 in
915 mm
min
passage

Absolute Minimum Corridor Width

for Single Wheelchair

13 in - 18 in
330 mm - 455 mm

N.


.4,

4,

Adult's Side Reach Over Counter Child's Side Reach Over Counter

46

AN ILLUSTRATED HANDBOOK
 60 in for 360 turn
1830 mm
preferred

Minimum Corridor Width Two Wheelchairs Passing in Corridor

for Turning a Wheelchair

30 in
760 mm
min
clear floor space
48 in
1220 mm
min
clear floor space

E 01
2

E .c
,
1
1

CC

Minimum Clear Floor Space Minimum Clear Floor Space

for Parallel Approach for Forward Approach
47

ACCESS FOR ALL

 Range of Adult Wheelchair Measurements

Manual Motorized

Height: Arms from floor 25 - 31.5 inches (635 - 802 mm) 30 - 35 inches (760 - 890 mm)
Height: Seat from floor 1 7.75 - 20 inches (449 - 510 mm) 20.75 inches (529 mm)
Foot rest: Minimum extension 1 4.5 - 15.75 inches (368 - 399 mm) 1 5 - 18 inches (380 - 455 mm)
Foot rest: Maximum extension 20.75 - 21 inches (529 - 535 mm) 21 - 22.5 inches (535 - 573 mm)
Wheel Diameter: Front 5 - 8 inches (125 - 200 mm) 23.5 inches (598 mm)
Wheel Diameter: Rear 22 - 24 inches (560 - 610 mm) 20 inches (510 mm)

74

42 in 27 in
1065 mm 685 mm

Side View Rear View Folded View

Average Adult Chair Measurements

less direct manner. Such disabilities include, but are

Disabilities
Without Dimension
This chapter is by no means comprehensive. It
provides data only for those disabilities which have
or create a dimensional need that is different from
one of the standard averages used for most design.
There are a whole range of other disabilities which
will affect the design and organization of the built
environment, but will affect its dimensions in a much
not limited to, hearing impairments, cognitive im-
pairments, and some activity limitations. Excluding
specific data pertaining to design for such disabilities
from this chapter is not meant to imply that this data
is being overlooked. In fact, an attempt has been
made to thoroughly address the architectural re-
quirements of disabilities without dimension through-
out this book.

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AN ILLUSTRATED HANDBOOK