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Guideline I.8: Ergonomics and Physical Activity

Intent

To promote spatial conditions conducive to incidental physical activity. Movement helps maintain cardiovascular fitness, mental alertness, and encourages interactions that improve morale and well-being. Quality ergonomic design reduces the risk of workplace-related injury and increases productivity.

Required Performance Criteria

Guideline I.8A and I.8B are required for New Construction projects and for Major Renovation projects that include relevant project scope. Guidelines I.8C, and I.8D are required only for New Construction projects that include 20,000 gsf or more of conditioned space and Major Renovation projects that include 20,000 gsf or more of conditioned space and include relevant project scope.

  1. If workstation furniture is included as part of the project, provide sit-stand desks that are available to all employees and in at least 25% of workstations. Workstations may be height adjustable or equipped with height adjustment stands.
  2. Provide workstation seating with adjustable chair height, seat depth, and at least one of the following: adjustable seat angle, adjustable backrest angle, fully or partially adjustable armrests, or adjustable lumbar support.
  3. On project sites with access to existing nonmotorized transportation infrastructure, provide the following secure storage:
    1. Nonmotorized vehicle storage within 650 ft. of main building entrance for at least 5% of regular building occupants.
    2. Nonmotorized vehicle storage within 650 ft. of main building entrance for at least 2% of building visitors.
  4. Promote the use of stairs by providing at least one staircase that is easy to locate for building occupants and visitors, accesses all regularly occupied floors and building main entrance, and is aesthetically pleasing. This staircase may be an enclosed egress stair.

Recommended Performance Criteria

  1. In buildings with more than ten regular occupants, provide showers, changing facilities, and lockers for a minimum of 1% of all regular building occupants.[1]
  2. Provide outdoor recreation area/open space greater than or equal to 30% of total site area that is accessible to all regular occupants of building.
  3. To foster connection to neighborhood, select sites:[2]
    1. With a building site Walk Score of at least 70.
    2. Located within a maximum of one-third mile from at least five basic services, such as a supermarket, hardware store, bank, and food establishments.
    3. Where sidewalks and bike lanes can be extended from building to edge of site to connect to existing and planned pedestrian paths
  4. Signage and education:[3]
    1. Provide point-of-decision prompts promoting use of stairs rather than elevator.
    2. Provide signage of walkable and bikeable attractions nearby.

[1] This guideline is aligned with credits available under the Fitwel Certification Program, LEEDv4, and The WELL Building Standard.

[2] This guideline is aligned with credits available under the Fitwel Certification Program, CHPS, and The WELL Building Standard.

[3] This guideline is aligned with credits available under the Fitwel Certification Program.

During design, work with owner to establish goals and priorities for ergonomics of workspaces within the project. Identify the number of adjustable workstations required, where they will be located, and who will use them.

Identify the number of regular building occupants and anticipated visitors, calculate nonmotorized vehicle parking requirements, and locate nonmotorized vehicle parking in secure area.

If project has multiple levels, establish a staircase to be visible and enticing. This stairway may also function as egress stair. Design and document features of stairwell.

If pursuing Recommended Criteria I.F, identify need for showers and changing facilities in the project and establish space and fixtures required.

If pursuing Recommended Criteria I.G, calculate required outdoor recreation area and locate the recreation area on the site. Provide accessible routes to recreation area.

If pursuing Recommended Criteria I.H, during site selection, compare potential project sites on https://www.walkscore.com and map nearby basic services. During design, establish site setbacks or other limitations on sidewalks and bike lanes, document site circulation strategy as it relates to general public circulation.

If pursuing Recommended Criteria I.H, create visually appealing and clearly understandable graphics promoting use of stairs rather than elevator for those able. Create visually appealing and clearly understandable graphic showing nearby attractions, particularly those in the walkable (.25–.5 mile) and bikeable (2.5 miles) area.[1]

[1] Distances listed derived from “Creating Walkable and Bikeable Communities” US Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Policy and Research. Dec 2016

Design:

  • 8A: Planned standing height desk selection and number available to occupants.
  • 8B: Planned workstation seating selection.
  • 8C: Preliminary site or building plan indicating location(s) for nonmotorized vehicle parking.
  • 8D: Preliminary building plan indicating stair location, narrative description of measures implemented to improve visibility and desirability.
  • 8E: Preliminary building plan indicating location of showers, changing facilities, and lockers meeting guideline requirements.
  • 8F: Preliminary site plan indicating outdoor recreation area.
  • 8G: Documentation of connection to neighborhood, including Walk Score, diagram of nearby services, site plan indication connections achieved and outdoor recreation area meeting minimum site percentage requirements.

Final Design:

  • 8A: Description of standing height desk selected and number available to occupants, including specifications or purchasing requirements listed.
  • 8B: Description of workstation seating selected, including specifications or purchasing requirements listed.
  • 8C: Final site or building plan indicating location(s) for nonmotorized vehicle parking.
  • 8D: Final building plan indicating stair location, narrative description of measures implemented to improve visibility and desirability.
  • 8H: Narrative describing site signage and image of signage to be installed.

Closeout:

  • 8A: Description of installed standing height desk mechanism and number available to occupants, including specifications or purchasing requirements listed.
  • 8B: Description of workstation seating, including specifications or purchasing requirements listed.
  • 8C: Final site or building plan indicating location(s) for nonmotorized vehicle parking.
  • 8D: Final building plan indicating stair location, narrative description of measures implemented to improve visibility and desirability.
  • 8I: Narrative describing site signage.

Creating Walkable and Bikeable Communities. US Department of Housing and Urban Development: https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/Creating-Walkable-Bikeable-Communities.pdf.

University at Texas at Austin Physical Specifications for Lactation/Quiet Rooms: https://hr.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/LQR_PhysicalRoomSpecs.pdf.

Walk Score: https://www.walkscore.com/cities-and-neighborhoods/.

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