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Office EnvironmentOffice Environment

Chapter 5Chapter 5

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The Smart Office

• Technologies are likely to be partially or fully integrated

• “Smart-wired” telecommunications systems– Telephone may be used to perform

numerous functions• Office environment multifaceted

– Lighting, color scheme, acoustics, and condition of air affect the environment

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Elements of the Office Environment Elements of the Office Environment

LightingLighting

Color SchemeColor Scheme

AcousticsAcoustics

Condition of theAir

Condition of theAir

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Sick-Building SyndromeSick-Building Syndrome

• Indoor Air Pollution

• Noise Pollution

• Lighting Problems

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What are Symptoms Sick Building Syndrome?

• Headaches

• Eye, nose, and throat irritation,

• Dry cough

• Dizziness and nausea

• Fatigue

• Sensitivity to odors

• Considered to exist if 20% employees complain (p. 79)

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ErgonomicsStudy of the relationship ofemployees to their physicalenvironment

Integrates severaldisciplines

PsychologyPhysiologySociologyCommunication theories

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Impact of Not Paying Attention to the Office Environment

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 becomingmore common

Carpal tunnel syndrome is mostprevalent of these injuries.

CTS results from the long-termirritation of the tendons connecting

one’s hands and arm.

Carpal tunnel syndrome costs to companies continue to rise each year

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Electromagnetic radiation is caused by videodisplay terminals

Is thought to cause a higher-than-averagerate of miscarriage, cancer, birth

defects, and heart disease.

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Computer vision syndrome is a result ofvideo 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 improperlydesigned building ventilation systems

Often results from a ventilation systemthat has outgrown its capability.

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LightingAffects

EmployeesPsychologicallyPhysically

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Characteristics of Lighting SystemsCharacteristics of Lighting Systems

Equivalent SphericalIllumination

Equivalent SphericalIllumination

Visual ComfortProbability

Visual ComfortProbability

Task Illumination Task Illumination

Measures the effective-ness of lighting systems.

Is a direct-brightnessratio.

Measures the quantityof light at the worksurface.

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Equivalent Spherical IlluminationEquivalent 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.

If minimum ESI of work surface at least 2/3’s of work area, lighting of work area considered adequately uniform.

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Visual Comfort ProbabilityVisual 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 inthe area.

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Task IlluminationTask 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 SystemsTypes of Lighting Systems

Semidirect

Direct

IndirectSemi-indirect

General diffuse

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Direct LightingDirect Lighting

90-100 percent of the illumination isdirected downward to work surface.

90-100 percent of the illumination isdirected downward to work surface.

Creates glares, reflections, and shadows.Creates glares, reflections, and shadows.

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Semidirect LightingSemidirect Lighting

60-90 percent of light is directed down-ward, with remainder directed upward and then reflected back downward.

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 withdirect lighting systems.

Shadows are less of a problem with withdirect lighting systems.

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Indirect LightingIndirect Lighting

90-100 percent of light is directed upward,which then is diffused and is reflecteddownward.

90-100 percent of light is directed upward,which then is diffused and is reflecteddownward.

Eliminates most shadows and glares.Eliminates most shadows and glares.

This system is recommended for most types of offices.

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Semi-indirect LightingSemi-indirect Lighting

60-90 percent of the light is directed up-ward and then reflected downward.

60-90 percent of the light is directed up-ward and then reflected downward.

Remainder of light is directed downward.Remainder of light is directed downward.

Shadows and glare are more problematicthan with indirect lighting.

Shadows and glare are more problematicthan with indirect lighting.

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General DiffuseGeneral Diffuse

40-60 percent of light is directed to worksurface with remainder reflected down-ward.

40-60 percent of light is directed to worksurface with remainder reflected down-ward.

Shadows and glare are more noticeable than with semi-indirect.

Shadows and glare are more noticeable than with semi-indirect.

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Task/ambientLighting

Uses lighting fixtures mountedin the furniture.

TaskIlluminates the worksurface.

Is frequently directed downward.

AmbientIlluminates the area surrounding the worksurface.

Is frequently directed upward.

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Kinds of LightingKinds of Lighting

NaturalNatural

FluorescentFluorescent

IncandescentIncandescent

High-intensitydischarge

High-intensitydischarge

Not very dependable.

Continues to be the most common type of lighting system.

Is not as efficient as fluorescentlighting—cost less/produces heat.

Sometimes distorts colors.

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Kinds of Automatic Light Control SystemsKinds of Automatic Light Control Systems

Photocell

Sensor

Computer

Measures the amount of illumina-tion in an area and adjustsaccordingly.

Senses the presence of peoplein an area and turns lights onautomatically.Technology turns lights on andoff at predetermined times.

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ColorHas both a physical andpsychological impact on humans.

Psychologically, coloraffects

ProductivityFatigueMoraleAttitudes

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

Primary/Secondary Colors, p. 87

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Acceptable Color Coordination SchemesAcceptable Color Coordination Schemes

Complimentary

Split Complimentary

Triad

Opposite each other onthe color chart.

Colors on either side of acomplementary color.

Three colors equally distant from one anotheron the color chart.

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Effect of Light on ColorEffect of Light on Color

Different types of artificial lighting have different color spectrums.

Fluorescent lighting does not enhance reds andoranges.

Incandescent lighting does not enhance purpleand blue schemes.

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Reflectance Value of ColorReflectance Value of Color

Various colors possess different reflectance values.

Lighter colors tend to reflect a greater percentageof light than do darker colors.

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Impact of ColorImpact of Color

Colors tend to create

different moods

Cool colors create calm and retiring 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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DecibelIs the unit measure of sound and is the smallest change in sounddetectable by the human ear.

Maximum decibel in anoffice should be 90 (50 average).

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Ways to Control Office NoiseWays to Control Office Noise

ProperConstruction

ProperConstruction

Sound-absorbingMaterials

Sound-absorbingMaterials

Sound-absorbingDevices

Sound-absorbingDevices

MaskingTechnique

MaskingTechnique

Includes controlling airborne andstructural sounds.

Includes proper use of ceiling,floor, wall, and window-coveringmaterials.

Includes putting covers on equipment that creates consider-able noise.Includes blending office noise thatcreates considerable noise.

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Conditioning of the Air ConsiderationsConditioning of the Air Considerations

Air Temperature

Air Temperature

HumidityLevel

HumidityLevel

Circulation ofthe Air

Circulation ofthe Air

Cleanliness ofthe Air

Cleanliness ofthe Air

Ideal working temperature is68 degrees F.

Adequate exchange rate is 25cubic feet of air per minute perperson.

Involves installing air purificationsystems that remove germs, dustand dirt.

Optimum level is 50 percent.

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Benefits of MusicBenefits 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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Energy ConservationCommittee

Energy EfficiencyStudy

Components of an Energy Conservation ProgramComponents of an Energy Conservation Program

ConservationGoals

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Office Security DimensionsOffice Security Dimensions

Protection of the organization’s physical property.

Protection of theorganization’svital information.