Crew Habitability:
What You
Need to Know
Dr. Kevin McSweeney
Manager - Human Factors Department
ABS, Corporate Technology, Houston Texas
What is Habitability?
• The acceptability of a vessel (or facility) as
determined by its physical arrangements, as
well as the ambient environmental qualities of
vibration, noise, indoor climate, and lighting
2
Why Habitability?
• Proper facility design and ambient environmental
conditions are influential factors for enhancing
human performance and reducing human error
• Ambient environment conditions where the crew
work, sleep, eat, rest and relax can influence overall
sense of comfort (habitability), well-being and
perhaps crew recruiting and retention
3
Guide for Crew Habitability on Ships
• Crew Habitability
– Basic notation (HAB)
aimed at supporting
task performance
– Higher notation (HAB+)
aimed at enhancing
crew habitability
4
Guide Contents
Crew Habitability
Accommodations
Design
Ambient
Environmental
Qualities
Checklists for
Various Spaces
Compliance Criteria
& Measurement Methods
5
Accommodations Design
•
•
•
•
•
•
Access/egress
Berthing
Sanitary spaces
Offices
Food services
Recreational
facilities
• Laundry
• Medical spaces
6
Ambient Environment
• Human WholeBody Vibration
• Noise
• Indoor Climate
• Lighting
7
Human Whole-Body Vibration
• Criteria included for:
– Crew task performance
– Enhanced habitability
• Basis of measurement
methodology:
– BS 6841
8
Vibration Frequencies of Interest
• 0.5 Hz to 25 Hz
z-axis
– Motion induce instability (MII)
modest discomfort and fatigue
– Internal body parts resonate
• 25 Hz to 80 Hz
– Performance degradation due
to decay in sensations and
perceptions
y-axis
x-axis
9
Interference with Crew Activities
• Vibration Frequency range (Hz)
– Reading (instruments) 0.5 - 12
– Reading (text) 0.5 - 50
– Control manipulation 0.5 - 30
– Speech 1 - 20
– Depth perception 25 - 40
10
Noise
• Criteria based on:
– Normal activities in a
space
– Frequency of
occupation of a space
– Communications needs
– Crew’s expectations
• Basis of measurement
methodology:
– ISO 2923
11
Noise Levels
• Adverse / improper levels can:
– Cause speech interference
– Interfere with concentration
and thought processes
– Disrupt sleep
– Cause fatigue and aggression
• Appropriate noise levels can:
– Provide an environment for improved human
performance
– Have a positive psychological effect on people
12
Big Contributor – HVAC Noise
• Potential Solutions:
– Configurations including largest feasible duct
diameter, gradual turns
– Use of HVAC
silencers / resonators
– Tuning of resonators
to the blade frequency
– Reduction of pressure
changes
– Proper Supports for
Exhaust and Piping Systems
– Secure ventilation ductwork piping systems will
reduce vibration against shipboard structures
13
Indoor Climate
• Criteria based on
human performance
data
• Basis of
measurement
methodology :
– ANSI / ASHRAE 55a
14
What Determines Comfort?
• Environmental factors
– Air temperature
– Air speed
– Humidity
• Individual factors
– Activity
– Clothing insulation
15
Lighting
• Criteria based on
supporting tasks via
general and activity
lighting
• Basis of measurement
methodology:
– IESNA RP-12
– ISO 8995
16
Lighting Requirements
Light Requirement (x 100 Lux)
• Relationship
between age
and light
required
for reading
good print
~7x greater
~ 3x greater
Source: Phillips Lighting
17
Age (years)
Lighting
Visual performance vs. Light level (in Lux) for an assembly task
Young
Older
~7x greater
Source: Phillips Lighting
18
HAB and HAB+ Notation
19
Habitability Data Gathering
• Data collection efforts
started in 2001 and
continues today
• Data has been obtained
from multiple sources:
– Offshore installations
– Commercial ships
– Workboats
(OSV’s and crew boats)
– Passenger vessels
20
Data Gathering
• Data from Pacific, Europe, and Americas
• Review of accommodations design and
layout
• Focus on ambient environment
characteristics (noise and vibration)
• Informal (but informative) interviews with
crew members
21
Questions?
Dr. Kevin McSweeney
[email protected]
281-877-5965
22