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Crew Habitability: What You Need to Know. Dr. Kevin McSweeney Manager - Human Factors Department ABS, Corporate Technology, Houston Texas. What is Habitability?.
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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 crewhabitability 4
Crew Habitability Accommodations Design Ambient Environmental Qualities Checklists for Various Spaces Compliance Criteria & Measurement Methods Guide Contents 5
Accommodations Design • Access/egress • Berthing • Sanitary spaces • Offices • Food services • Recreational facilities • Laundry • Medical spaces 6
Ambient Environment • Human Whole-Body 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 z-axis • 0.5 Hz to 25 Hz • 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 activitylighting • Basis of measurement methodology: • IESNA RP-12 • ISO 8995 16
~7x greater ~ 3x greater Lighting Requirements • Relationship between age and lightrequired for readinggood print Light Requirement (x 100 Lux) Source: Phillips Lighting Age (years) 17
~7x greater Lighting Visual performance vs. Light level (in Lux) for an assembly task Young Older Source: Phillips Lighting 18
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
Dr. Kevin McSweeney kmcsweeney@eagle.org 281-877-5965 Questions? 22