Question

A washbasin is to be installed in a college canteen in India. Which of the options can help derive the appropriate height of the washbasin from the floor?

• A. Average height of the adult Indian male and female population
• B. Average height of the tallest 50% adult Indian female population
• C. Average height of the shortest 5% adult Indian female population
• D. Average height of the shortest 5% adult Indian male population

Hint:

Remember the core principle of inclusive design: it's generally better for a taller person to have to bend down than for a shorter person to be unable to reach at all. This is why minimum requirements are often based on the 5th percentile female.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question is about ergonomics and universal design. When designing products or environments for public use, it's crucial to accommodate the widest possible range of users. This involves using anthropometric data (measurements of the human body).

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
The principle of universal design often focuses on the "extremes" of the user population to ensure inclusivity.

For maximum height limits (e.g., a shelf), one often designs for the reach of the shortest person (e.g., 5th percentile female).
For minimum height clearances (e.g., a doorway), one designs for the stature of the tallest person (e.g., 95th percentile male).
For objects like a washbasin, the height is a compromise. However, to ensure it is usable by almost everyone, it's critical that it is not too high for the shortest users.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze the options from a design perspective:
(A) Using the average height of the entire population might seem fair, but it would mean the basin is uncomfortably high for nearly half the users (the shorter half) and too low for the other half.
(B) Designing for the tallest 50% of females would result in a very high washbasin, making it inaccessible for a large portion of the population, especially shorter women and men.
(C) Designing based on the shortest 5% of the adult female population (who are generally the shortest adult user group) is a standard ergonomic practice. This ensures that almost all users can reach and use the washbasin. While taller individuals might have to bend more, the basin remains functional for them. This approach prioritizes accessibility over comfort for the average or tall user.
(D) Using the shortest 5% of the male population is a better approach than using the average, but it is less inclusive than using the female data, as the 5th percentile male is taller than the 5th percentile female.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The most appropriate data to ensure the washbasin is accessible to the vast majority of the college population is the average height of the shortest user group, which is the 5th percentile of the adult Indian female population.