Ergonomics of the physical environment - Subjective judgement scales for assessing physical environments (ISO 10551:2019)

EN-ISO 10551 presents principles and examples of practical application for the construction of appropriate subjective scales for use in the assessment and evaluation of the physical environment. It does not standardize particular scales. It considers scales of perception, comfort, preference, acceptability, expression form and tolerance, and environmental components such as thermal, visual, air quality, acoustic and vibration. It does not consider other scales such as: - scales related to the effects of the environment on the ability to read displays or signs, on manual performance or on psychological conditions such as mood, etc.; - scales related to pain or scales related to stimuli that can lead to injury. This document does not present principles of surveys (see Note) or questionnaire design. However, the scales that are developed using this document can be incorporated into surveys or questionnaires.

Ergonomie des Umgebungsklimas - Subjektive Bewertungsskalen für die Beurteilung des Umgebungsklimas (ISO 10551:2019)

Dieses Dokument stellt Grundsätze und Beispiele der praktischen Anwendung für die Erstellung geeigneter subjektiver Skalen für den Einsatz bei der Beurteilung und Bewertung der physikalischen Umgebung vor. Es standardisiert keine bestimmten Skalen.
Es berücksichtigt Skalen in Bezug auf Wahrnehmung, Komfort, Präferenzen, Annehmbarkeit, Ausdrucksform und Toleranz sowie Umgebungseigenschaften wie etwa Temperatur, Licht, Luftqualität, Akustik und Vibration.
Es berücksichtigt keine anderweitigen Skalen wie etwa:
- Skalen zu Auswirkungen der Umgebung auf die Fähigkeit, Anzeigen oder Schilder zu lesen, auf manuelle Leistungen oder auf psychologische Zustände wie Stimmung usw.;
- Skalen in Zusammenhang mit Schmerzen oder Reizen, die zu einer Verletzung führen können.
Dieses Dokument liefert keine Grundsätze für die Gestaltung von Umfragen (siehe Anmerkung) oder Fragebögen. Jedoch können die im Rahmen dieses Dokuments entwickelten Skalen in Umfragen oder Fragebögen integriert werden.
ANMERKUNG Umfragen zu Umgebungen sind in ISO 28802 beschrieben. ISO 28802 umfasst Skalen, die auf den Grundsätzen der Skalenerstellung basieren und diese ergänzen, die in diesem Dokument beschrieben sind.

Ergonomie de l'environnement physique - Échelles de jugements subjectifs pour l'évaluation des environnements physiques (ISO 10551:2019)

Le présent document donne les principes ainsi que des exemples d'application pratique pour la construction d'échelles subjectives appropriées servant à l'évaluation et à l'appréciation de l'environnement physique. Il ne normalise pas les échelles particulières.
Il couvre les échelles de perception, de confort, de préférence, d'acceptabilité, de forme d'expression et de tolérance, et les aspects environnementaux tels que l'aspect thermique, l'aspect visuel, la qualité de l'air, l'acoustique et les vibrations.
Il ne couvre pas les autres échelles telles que:
—         les échelles relatives aux effets de l'environnement sur la capacité de lecture des affichages ou des panneaux, sur les performances manuelles ou sur l'état psychologique comme le moral, etc.;
—         les échelles relatives à la douleur ou les échelles relatives aux stimuli susceptibles d'entraîner une blessure.
Le présent document ne présente pas les principes des enquêtes (voir Note) ni de conception des questionnaires. Cependant, les échelles qui sont élaborées en utilisant le présent document peuvent être intégrées dans les enquêtes ou les questionnaires.
NOTE       Les enquêtes environnementales sont décrites dans l'ISO 28802. L'ISO 28802 inclut des échelles qui viennent compléter ou s'appuyer sur les principes de construction des échelles qui sont décrits dans le présent document.

Ergonomija fizičnega okolja - Subjektivne lestvice za presojo fizičnih okolij (ISO 10551:2019)

Standard EN-ISO 10551 podaja pristope in primere praktične uporabe za izdelavo ustrezne subjektivne lestvice za presojo ter ocenjevanje fizičnih okolij. Ne standardizira določene lestvice. Upošteva lestvice zaznavanja, udobja, prednostne izbire, sprejemljivosti, oblike izražanja in tolerance ter okoljske elemente, kot so temperatura, vidljivost, kakovost zraka, akustika in vibracije. Ne upošteva pa drugih lestvic, kot so: – lestvice, povezane z učinki okolja na zmožnost branja prikazov ali znakov, na ročne zmogljivosti ali na psihološka stanja, kot je razpoloženje itd.; – lestvice, povezane z bolečino, ali lestvice, povezane z dražljaji, ki lahko privedejo do telesnih poškodb. Ta dokument ne podaja načel za načrtovanje anket (glej opombo) ali vprašalnikov. Vendar pa je v ankete ali vprašalnike mogoče vključiti lestvice, izdelane na podlagi tega dokumenta.

General Information

Status
Published
Public Enquiry End Date
13-Mar-2018
Publication Date
12-Jan-2020
Technical Committee
Current Stage
6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
Start Date
08-Aug-2019
Due Date
13-Oct-2019
Completion Date
13-Jan-2020

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SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN ISO 10551:2020
01-februar-2020
Nadomešča:
SIST EN ISO 10551:2002
Ergonomija fizičnega okolja - Subjektivne lestvice za presojo fizičnih okolij (ISO
10551:2019)
Ergonomics of the physical environment - Subjective judgement scales for assessing
physical environments (ISO 10551:2019)
Ergonomie des Umgebungsklimas - Subjektive Bewertungsskalen für die Beurteilung
des Umgebungsklimas (ISO 10551:2019)
Ergonomie de l'environnement physique - Échelles de jugements subjectifs pour
l'évaluation des environnements physiques (ISO 10551:2019)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 10551:2019
ICS:
13.180 Ergonomija Ergonomics
SIST EN ISO 10551:2020 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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SIST EN ISO 10551:2020

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SIST EN ISO 10551:2020


EN ISO 10551
EUROPEAN STANDARD

NORME EUROPÉENNE

July 2019
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 13.180 Supersedes EN ISO 10551:2001
English Version

Ergonomics of the physical environment - Subjective
judgement scales for assessing physical environments (ISO
10551:2019)
Ergonomie de l'environnement physique - Échelles de Ergonomie des Umgebungsklimas - Subjektive
jugements subjectifs pour l'évaluation des Bewertungsskalen für die Beurteilung des
environnements physiques (ISO 10551:2019) Umgebungsklimas (ISO 10551:2019)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 29 June 2019.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.





EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2019 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 10551:2019 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

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SIST EN ISO 10551:2020
EN ISO 10551:2019 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3

2

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SIST EN ISO 10551:2020
EN ISO 10551:2019 (E)
European foreword
This document (EN ISO 10551:2019) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 159
"Ergonomics" in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 122 “Ergonomics” the secretariat of
which is held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by January 2020, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by January 2020.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN ISO 10551:2001.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the
United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 10551:2019 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 10551:2019 without any modification.

3

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SIST EN ISO 10551:2020

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SIST EN ISO 10551:2020
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 10551
Second edition
2019-06
Ergonomics of the physical
environment — Subjective judgement
scales for assessing physical
environments
Ergonomie de l'environnement physique — Échelles de jugements
subjectifs pour l'évaluation des environnements physiques
Reference number
ISO 10551:2019(E)
©
ISO 2019

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SIST EN ISO 10551:2020
ISO 10551:2019(E)

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2019
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Fax: +41 22 749 09 47
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

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SIST EN ISO 10551:2020
ISO 10551:2019(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Subjective judgement scales for physical environments: Principles of scale
construction and use . 1
5 Perceptual, evaluation and preferential judgement scales . 2
5.1 Instructions for using the judgement scales . 2
5.2 Scale of perception of the personal state . 4
5.2.1 Structure of the scale. 4
5.2.2 Wording of the degrees . 4
5.3 Evaluative scale . 4
5.3.1 Structure of the scale. 4
5.3.2 Wording of the points . 5
5.4 Preference scale . 5
5.4.1 Structure of the scale. 5
5.4.2 Wording of the degrees . 5
6 Personal acceptability statement and tolerance scale . 5
6.1 General . 5
6.2 Instructions for using the judgement expression forms . 5
6.3 Description of the forms of judgement expression . 6
6.3.1 Structure of the forms of judgement expression. 6
6.3.2 Wording of the degrees . 6
7 Instructions for repeat enquiries . 6
8 Summary of the scales . 7
9 Format and method of presentations of the scales . 7
10 Data analysis and application of the results . 7
Annex A (informative) Commonly used scales for assessing thermal environments .8
Annex B (informative) Commonly used scales for assessing acoustic environments .11
Annex C (informative) Commonly used scales for assessing visual environments .13
Annex D (informative) Commonly used scales for assessing vibration environments .15
Annex E (informative) Commonly used scales for assessing air quality environments .17
Annex F (informative) Application of assessment procedure and judgement scales:
Examples, including data analysis.18
Annex G (informative) Examples of scales that can be used in the environmental
ergonomics survey .26
Bibliography .28
© ISO 2019 – All rights reserved iii

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SIST EN ISO 10551:2020
ISO 10551:2019(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see www .iso
.org/iso/foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 159, Ergonomics, Subcommittee SC 5,
Ergonomics of the physical environment.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/members .html.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 10551:1995), which has been technically
revised. The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— the title has been changed;
— the Scope has been reworded;
— new references have been added to Clause 2;
— new entries have been added to Clause 3;
— in 5.2.1, a unipolar scale has been added;
— Annex B has been changed;
— Annexes C to G have been added.
iv © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

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SIST EN ISO 10551:2020
ISO 10551:2019(E)

Introduction
By using this document, you can construct subjective scales that can be used to ask people how they feel
about their physical environment. That is whether they find it too hot, whether there is any noise and
if it is annoying, if the light is too bright, is it “smelly” and so on. By constructing the scales and using
them correctly, you can see, in a cost-effective way, how people find the environment. The information
can be applied to report on the environmental quality and to work out how to improve the environment.
People are exposed to a range of physical environments which can affect their health and safety,
comfort and performance. An important method for assessing physical environments, particularly
when considering psychological constructs such as comfort or satisfaction, is to use subjective scales.
The type of scale used and how it is administered is important in influencing the subjective responses of
people. There are principles for constructing scales and procedures for administering them that reduce
bias and ensure validity and reliability of response. There are also generic types of scale that can be
used across environmental stimuli, for example, scales on which people rate sensation or comfort or
acceptability or preference and so on.
This document provides a description of principles of scale construction and procedures for use. It also
provides examples of commonly used scales across environmental components. This document does
not standardize any particular scale but it provides the principles upon which appropriate scales can
be constructed. It is needed to provide consistency in the production of valid and reliable scales. It is
particularly useful to people who wish to conduct an environmental survey, for example to assess post
occupant satisfaction of new or existing buildings or other spaces, environments where dissatisfaction
occurs and a diagnosis of the problems is required and for people who are investigating the relationship
between conditions in the physical environment and human perception. A consistent approach to
subjective scale construction and use also allows a meaningful comparison of data obtained from
investigations internationally.
This document forms part of a group of international standards on the assessment of comfort, stress
and strain in physical environments.
This series is concerned, in particular, with:
1) establishing specifications on methods for measuring and estimating the characteristic physical
parameters of environments;
2) establishing methods for assessing stress in environments.
This document proposes a set of specifications on direct expert assessment of comfort/discomfort
expressed by persons subjected to various degrees of stress during periods spent in physical
environments. The data provided by this assessment can be used on its own or to supplement physical
and physiological methods of assessing loads. The methods belong to a psychological approach
consisting in gathering, as appropriate, the on-site opinions of persons exposed to the conditions under
consideration (diagnosis) and, thus, can complement data provided by predictive approaches described
elsewhere in this group. The information provided in this document can be used to construct valid
subjective scales for use in determining how people feel in their physical environment. This document
does not give guidance on questionnaire design and application although the scales may be used in the
construction of questionnaires.
If persons exposed to environments are to be asked about their corresponding experiences or
information requested on their cultural attitude in order to obtain the most appropriate subjective
judgement scales, favourable relationships may usefully be established between these persons and the
organization responsible, through the persons conducting the ergonomic investigation.
The environments which lend themselves to the application of subjective judgement scales relate to
conditions which differ to a moderate degree from comfortable conditions. Under extreme conditions,
physical and physiological assessment methods of the environmental load are preferred, provided
that their results can be used as criteria for a decision. In particular, tolerance limits for load cannot
be confidently based on subjective judgements and need to be decided in view of accepted health risk
© ISO 2019 – All rights reserved v

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SIST EN ISO 10551:2020
ISO 10551:2019(E)

criteria. The decision of whether a person is exposed to an extreme environment is not left to the person
exposed as their judgement can be impaired by the conditions.
The opinions held by persons about their environment have a value in themselves. It is up to the ergonomist
whether or not to take them into account. The reputation of these data for lack of reliability does not
justify dismissing them out of hand. The aim of this document is precisely to improve their reliability by
specifying the appropriate tools to use in collecting them and the requirement for using them.
vi © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

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SIST EN ISO 10551:2020
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 10551:2019(E)
Ergonomics of the physical environment — Subjective
judgement scales for assessing physical environments
1 Scope
This document presents principles and examples of practical application for the construction of
appropriate subjective scales for use in the assessment and evaluation of the physical environment. It
does not standardize particular scales.
It considers scales of perception, comfort, preference, acceptability, expression form and tolerance, and
environmental components such as thermal, visual, air quality, acoustic and vibration.
It does not consider other scales such as:
— scales related to the effects of the environment on the ability to read displays or signs, on manual
performance or on psychological conditions such as mood, etc.;
— scales related to pain or scales related to stimuli that can lead to injury.
This document does not present principles of surveys (see Note) or questionnaire design. However, the
scales that are developed using this document can be incorporated into surveys or questionnaires.
NOTE Environmental surveys are described in ISO 28802. ISO 28802 includes scales that are complementary
to, and based upon, the principles of scale construction that are described in this document.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 13731, Ergonomics of the thermal environment — Vocabulary and symbols
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 13731 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https: //www .iso .org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http: //www .electropedia .org/
4 Subjective judgement scales for physical environments: Principles of scale
construction and use
There are a number of subjective judgement scales for physical environments. They differ in whether
emphasis is placed on some aspect of judgement:
— perceptual or affective (evaluative and preferential);
— global (encompassing the whole environment or organism) or localized;
— present or past;
© ISO 2019 – All rights reserved 1

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SIST EN ISO 10551:2020
ISO 10551:2019(E)

— instantaneous or extended over a period of time.
They also differ as to the object of judgement: environment or person, the whole or its component parts,
permanent or temporary situation.
This document retains judgements that people make about their own state as a whole. It distinguishes
between perception, present affective assessment (comfort/discomfort) and future preference.
NOTE 1 This document also suggests supplementing the perceptual, evaluative and preferential judgement
scales by a statement of acceptability and a scale of tolerance of environments
In most instances, the exposure to an environment lasts for several hours. Therefore, it is useful to
gather the person’s opinions throughout, by repeating the expression of the judgements at regular
intervals, using exactly the same scales.
By repeatedly applying the same scales, the evolution with time of the comfort or strain experienced
can be assessed and an integrated judgement obtained over the whole time of exposure by appropriate
computation of the data (e.g. overall mean, overall change, variation, etc.).
Basic difficulties are encountered in any area which involves the use of language. In this regard, bias
and variability in the data can result from inconsistencies and inappropriateness of accompanying
instructions. Therefore, it becomes crucial to standardized preparatory instructions which explain the
study, as well as the wording of the judgement scales. The terminology used to denote the degrees on
the judgement scales is of special importance. This document specifies the principles used to develop
subjective scales. The actual descriptors used can be influenced by the language structure and shall be
established with subject experts from National Standards Body.
NOTE 2 International usage and acceptance of the scales in this document will result in the fixing of suitable
wording of the degrees on the scales in various languages.
Other judgement scales are in use concerning the state of various parts of the body (e.g. head, torso,
hands, feet), the total environment or various components of it, other aspects of the experience of
the person or evaluations conducted over a certain period of time, including periods during which-
conditions have not been measured. Other scales, e.g. a bipolar affective evaluation scale, have been
structured differently on the model of perception; such a scale is useful for taking into account pleasure
and is more sensitive than the unipolar discomfort scale in the region near to comfort.
This document is limited to the five scales described in Clauses 4 and 5. The gathering of subjective
judgement should first be concerned with localized sensations (parts of the body) and in constant
conditions, given the current interest and application of these data. The second concern should be for
data gathered under transient conditions, which are extremely important but are not yet sufficiently
well known.
5 Perceptual, evaluation and preferential judgement scales
5.1 Instructions for using the judgement scales
It is important to distinguish between more objective ratings, such as sensations, and affective or
evaluative ratings, such as comfort and pleasure. In everyday language, however, these dimensions are
often confounded and distinctions are not made. In addition, the richness of the semantics for describing
environments and responses to them depends on individuals, their experiences, their language and
their culture, when investigating physical environments. Therefore, it is sometimes useful to first
investigate the psychological dimension (or constructs) which individuals and groups use to describe
[7]
their world .
Two commonly used approaches are semantic differential techniques and personal construct theory
methods. The methods invoke factor analysis or multidimensional scaling techniques to build a
psychological model of the way in which physical environments are perceived and “modelled” (represented
in psychological space) by the person. Similar stimuli on a particular dimension (or all combinations of
dimensions) are placed close together in the multidimensional model of psychological space.
2 © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

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SIST EN ISO 10551:2020
ISO 10551:2019(E)

The form and method of administering the scales are important. For example, a continuous form of the
scale would be to draw a line through all points on the scale where subjective terms are placed. This
would allow a person exposed to the environment to choose values between ratings (e.g. between cool
and cold, a rating of −1,6 on a thermal sensation scale.). In an analysis of the results, this would enable
parametric statistics to be used. However, it is possible that the investigator does not consider that
data are “strong enough” for this and is prepared to use only ordinal data (ranks) and non-parametric
statistics. These, and other, points are of importance and, for further information, the reader is referred
to a text on the design and analysis of surveys and on the use of subjective assessment methods (see [6]).
The psychological interaction when the scale is administered can also influence the results. Usually, the
subjects are given the scale and asked to tick the place which represent “how they feel now”, for example.
It is important to avoid ambiguity, which can lead to a person providing his or her own interpretation,
for example, of what the environment is generally like or how other people perceive it. Other issues
include range effects. The range provided, (e.g. hot to cold) influences the subject’s judgement as do
leading questions: (e.g. “you are uncomfortable, aren’t you?”). The following important issues should be
considered when constructing questionnaires:
— question specificity;
— language;
— clarity;
— leading questions;
— prestige;
— bias;
— embarrassing questions;
— hypothetical questions; and
— impersonal questions.
Other issues include whether knowledge of the results is given. For example, if responses are requested
over time, is the subject informed of previous ratings that he or she made, and whether the ratings are
given in the presence of others? In some circumstances, people can avoid extremes such as end points
on scales or be influenced by the range presented.
Although subjective measurement techniques can be useful for measuring extreme environments, they
should not be used as a primary measure in health and safety. In these conditions, the ability of a person
to make a “rationa
...

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN ISO 10551:2018
01-marec-2018
Ergonomija toplotnega okolja - Ocena vpliva toplotnega okolja z uporabo
subjektivnih lestvic (ISO/DIS 10551:2017)
Ergonomics of the physical environment - Subjective judgement scales for assessing
physical environments (ISO/DIS 10551:2017)
Ergonomie des Umgebungsklimas - Subjektive Bewertungsskalen für die Beurteilung
des Umgebungsklimas (ISO/DIS 10551:2017)
Ergonomie de l'environnement physique - Échelles de jugements subjectifs pour
l'évaluation des environnements physiques (ISO/DIS 10551:2017)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN ISO 10551
ICS:
13.180 Ergonomija Ergonomics
oSIST prEN ISO 10551:2018 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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oSIST prEN ISO 10551:2018

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oSIST prEN ISO 10551:2018
DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARD
ISO/DIS 10551
ISO/TC 159/SC 5 Secretariat: BSI
Voting begins on: Voting terminates on:
2017-12-22 2018-03-16
Ergonomics of the physical environment — Subjective
judgement scales for assessing physical environments
Titre manque
ICS: 13.180
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
This document is circulated as received from the committee secretariat.
FOR COMMENT AND APPROVAL. IT IS
THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND MAY
NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD UNTIL PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
Reference number
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
ISO/DIS 10551:2017(E)
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Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Subjective judgement scales for physical environments: Principles of scale
construction and use . 1
4 Perceptual, evaluation and preferential judgement scales . 2
4.1 Instructions for using the judgement scales . 2
4.2 Scale of perception of the personal state . 4
4.3 Evaluative scale . 4
4.4 Preference scale . 5
5 Personal acceptability statement and tolerance scale . 5
5.1 General . 5
5.2 Instructions for using the judgement expression forms . 5
5.3 Description of the forms of judgement expression . 6
6 Instructions for repeat enquiries . 6
7 Summary of the scales . 7
8 Format and method of presentations of the scales . 7
9 Data analysis and application of the results . 7
Annex A (informative) Commonly used scales for assessing thermal environments .8
Annex B (informative) Commonly used scales for assessing acoustic environments .11
Annex C (informative) Commonly used scales for assessing visual environments .13
Annex D (informative) Commonly used scales for assessing vibration environments .15
Annex E (informative) Commonly used scales for assessing air quality environments .17
Annex F (informative) Application of assessment procedure and judgement scales:
Examples, including data analysis.18
Annex G (informative) Examples of scales that could be used in the environmental
ergonomics survey .26
Bibliography .28
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Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardisation) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organisations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardisation.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 3.
Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member
bodies for voting. Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the
member bodies casting a vote.
International Standard ISO 10551 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 159, Ergonomics,
Subcommittee SC5, Ergonomics of the physical environment.
The standard includes seven informative annexes (annex A to annex G).
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Introduction
By using this international standard you can construct subjective scales that can be used to ask people
how they feel about their physical environment. That is whether they find it too hot, whether there is
any noise and if it is annoying, if the light is too bright, is it ‘smelly’ and so on. By constructing the scales
and using them correctly you can see, in a cost effective way, how people find the environment. The
information can be applied to report on the environmental quality and to work out how to improve the
environment.
People are exposed to a range of physical environments which can affect their health and safety,
comfort and performance. An important method for assessing physical environments, particularly
when considering psychological constructs such as comfort or satisfaction, is to use subjective scales.
The type of scale used and how it is administered are important in influencing the subjective responses
of people. There are principles for constructing scales and procedures for administering them that will
reduce bias and ensure validity and reliability of response. There are also generic types of scale that can
be used across environmental stimuli, for example scales on which people rate sensation or comfort or
acceptability or preference and so on.
This International Standard provides a description of principles of scale construction and procedures
for use. It also provides examples of commonly used scales across environmental components.
The standard does not standardize any particular scale but it provides the principles upon which
appropriate scales can be constructed. It is needed to provide consistency in the production of valid
and reliable scales. It will be particularly useful to people who wish to conduct an environmental
survey, for example to assess post occupant satisfaction of new or existing buildings or other spaces,
environments where dissatisfaction occurs and a diagnosis of the problems is required and for people
who are investigating the relationship between conditions in the physical environment and human
perception. A consistent approach to subjective scale construction and use will also allow a meaningful
comparison of data obtained from investigations internationally.
The present International Standard forms part of a series of standards on the assessment of comfort,
stress and strain in physical environments.
This series is concerned in particular with:
1) establishing specifications on methods for measuring and estimating the characteristic physical
parameters of environments;
2) establishing methods for assessing stress in environments.
This International Standard proposes a set of specifications on direct expert assessment of
comfort/discomfort expressed by persons subjected to various degrees of stress during periods spent
in physical environments. The data provided by this assessment can be used on its own or to supplement
physical and physiological methods of assessing loads. The methods belong to a psychological approach
consisting in gathering, as appropriate, the onsite opinions of persons exposed to the conditions under
consideration (diagnosis) and thus may complement data provided by predictive approaches described
elsewhere in this series.
The information provided in this standard can be used to construct valid subjective scales for use
in determining how people feel in their physical environment. The standard does not give guidance
on questionnaire design and application although the scales may be used in the construction of
questionnaires.
If persons exposed to environments are to be asked about their corresponding experiences or
information requested on their cultural attitude in order to obtain the most appropriate subjective
judgement scales, favourable relationships should first be established between these persons and the
organization responsible, through the persons conducting the ergonomic investigation.
The environments which lend themselves to the application of subjective judgement scales relate to
conditions which differ to a moderate degree from comfortable conditions. Under extreme conditions,
physical
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and physiological assessment methods of the environmental load should be preferred, provided that
their results can be used as criteria for a decision. In particular, tolerance Iimits for load cannot be
confidently based on subjective judgements and have to be decided in view of accepted health risk
criteria. The decision of whether a person is exposed to an extreme environment should not be left to
the person exposed as their judgement may be impaired by the conditions.
The opinions held by persons about their environment have a value in themselves. lt is up to the
ergonomist whether or not to take them into account. The reputation of these data for lack of reliability
does not justify dismissing them out of hand. The aim of this International Standard is precisely
to improve their reliability by specifying the appropriate tools to use in collecting them and the
requirement for using them.
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DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO/DIS 10551:2017(E)
Ergonomics of the physical environment — Subjective
judgement scales for assessing physical environments
1 Scope
This International Standard presents principles and examples of practical application for the
construction of subjective scales for use in the assessment and evaluation of the physical environment.
This international standard considers scales of perception; comfort; preference; acceptability;
expression form and tolerance It does not consider other scales such as those related to the effects of
the environment on the ability to read displays or signs, on manual performance or on psychological
conditions such as mood etc.
This international standard does not consider scales related to pain or scales related to stimuli that
could lead to injury.
Environmental components considered include thermal, visual, air quality, acoustic and vibration.
This International Standard does not standardise particular scales, it provides the principles that will
allow users to construct appropriate scales for their application.
This International Standard does not present principles of surveys (see Note 1) or questionnaire design.
However, the scales that are developed using this standard may be incorporated into surveys or
questionnaires.
NOTE 1 Environmental surveys are described in ISO 28802, (2012). ISO 28802, (2012) includes scales that are
complementary to, and based upon, the principles of scale construction that are described in this international
standard.
2 Normative references
The following normative documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text,
constitute provisions of this International Standard. For dated references, subsequent amendments
to, or revisions of, any of these publications do not apply. However, parties to agreements based on
this International Standard are encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the most recent
editions of the normative documents indicated below. For undated references, the latest edition of the
normative document referred to applies. Members of ISO and IEC maintain registers of currently valid
International Standards.
ISO 28802, Ergonomics of the physical environment — Assessment of environments by means of an
environmental survey involving physical measurements of the environment and subjective responses of people
3 Subjective judgement scales for physical environments: Principles of scale
construction and use
There are a number of subjective judgement scales for physical environments. They differ in whether
emphasis is placed on some aspect of judgement: perceptual or affective (evaluative and preferential).
Global (encompassing the whole environment or organism) or localized, present or past, instantaneous
or extended over a period of time. They also differ as to the object of judgement: environment or person,
the whole or its component parts, permanent or temporary situation.
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The present International Standard retains judgements that people make about their own state as a
whole. It distinguishes between perception, present affective assessment (comfort/discomfort) and
future preference.
NOTE 2 This International Standard also suggests supplementing the perceptual, evaluative and preferential
judgement scales by a statement of acceptability and a scale of tolerance of environments
In most instances, the exposure to an environment lasts for several hours. Therefore, it is useful to
gather the person’s opinions throughout, by repeating the expression of the judgements at regular
intervals, using exactly the same scales.
NOTE 3 The procedure of obtaining synthetic judgements by hypothetically integrating spot impressions over
an extended period of time should be avoided.
By repeatedly applying the same scales, the evolution with time of the comfort or strain experienced
may be assessed and an integrated judgement obtained over the whole time of exposure by appropriate
computation of the data (e.g. overall mean, overall change, variation etc).
Basic difficulties are encountered in any area which involves the use of language. In this regard, bias
and variability in the data can result from inconsistencies and inappropriateness of accompanying
instructions. Therefore, it becomes crucial to standardized preparatory instructions which explain the
study, as well as the wording of the judgement scales. Of special importance is the terminology used to
denote the degrees on the judgement scales. This International Standard specifies the principles used
to develop subjective scales. The actual descriptors used may be influenced by language structure and
shall be established with subject experts from national member bodies.
NOTE 4 International usage and acceptance of the scales in this International Standard will result in the fixing
of suitable wording of the degrees on the scales in various Ianguages.
Other judgement scales are in use concerning the state of various parts of the body (e.g. head, torso,
hands, feet), the total environment or various components of it, other aspects of the experience of
the person or evaluations conducted over a certain period of time, including periods during which-
conditions have not been measured. Other scales, e.g. a bipolar affective evaluation scale, have been
structured differently on the model of perception; such a scale is useful for taking into account pleasure
and is more sensitive than the unipolar discomfort scale in the region near to comfort.
This International Standard is limited to the five scales described in clauses 4 and 5. The gathering
of subjective judgement should first be concerned with localized sensations (parts of the body) and
in constant conditions, given the current interest and application of these data. The second concern
should be for data gathered under transient conditions, which are extremely important but are not yet
sufficiently well known.
4 Perceptual, evaluation and preferential judgement scales
4.1 Instructions for using the judgement scales
It is important to distinguish between more objective ratings such as sensation, and affective or
evaluative ratings such as comfort and pleasure. In everyday languages, however, these dimensions
are often confounded, and distinctions are not made. In addition, the richness of the semantics for
describing environments and responses to them will depend on individuals, their experiences, their
language and their culture. When investigating physical environments, therefore, it is sometimes useful
to first investigate the psychological dimension (or constructs) which individuals and groups use to
[3]
describe their world .
Two commonly used approaches are semantic differential techniques and personal construct theory
methods. The methods invoke factor analysis or multidimensional scaling techniques to build
a psychological model of the way in which physical environments are perceived and ‘modelled’
(represented in psychological space) by the person. Similar stimuli on a particular dimension (or
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all combinations of dimensions) will be placed closed together in the multidimensional model of
psychological space.
The form and method of administering the scales are important. For example, a continuous form of the
scale would be to draw a line through all points on the scale where subjective terms are placed. This
would allow a person exposed to the environment to choose values between ratings (e.g. between cool
and cold, a rating of -1.6 on a thermal sensation scale.). In an analysis of the results, this would enable
parametric statistics to be used. However, maybe the investigator does not consider that the data are
‘strong enough’ for this and is prepared only to use ordinal data (ranks) and nonparametric statistics.
These and other points are of importance and for further information the reader is referred to a text on
the design and analysis of surveys and on the use of subjective assessment methods (see Bibliography).
The psychological interaction when the scale is administered may also influence the results. Usually,
the subjects are given the scale and are asked to tick the place which represent ‘how they feel now’,
for example. It is important to avoid ambiguity, which may lead to a person providing his or her own
interpretation, for example, what the environment is generally like or how other people may perceive
it. Other issues include range effects-the range provided, (e.g.for example, hot to cold) influences the
subject’s judgement as do leading questions: (e.g. ‘you are uncomfortable aren’t you?’). The following
important issues should be considered when constructing questionnaires: question specificity,
language, clarity, leading questions, prestige, bias, embarrassing questions, hypothetical questions and
impersonal questions. Other issues include whether knowledge of the results is given- for example, if
responses are requested over time, is the subject informed of previous ratings that he or she made,
and whether the ratings are given in the presence of others. In some circumstances, people may avoid
extremes such as end points on scales or be influenced by the range presented.
Although subjective measurement techniques can be useful for measuring extreme environments, they
should not be used as a primary measure in health and safety. In these conditions, the ability of a person
to make a ‘rational’ subjective judgement may be impaired. While a subject must always be allowed
to withdraw from an investigation, he or she does not have the overriding right to remain in it. It is
the investigator’s judgement as to whether he or she should remain exposed (based on physiological
responses, etc.) even if the subject is willing (enthusiastic) to do so.
The three judgement scales should be applied in the following order: perceptual scale, evaluative scale,
scale of preference. The combination of possible replies provides all the required information.
The following introductory questions should be posed:
— before applying the perceptual scale: “How are you feeling (at this precise moment)?” (followed by
the replies from the scale);
— after the response given on the perceptual scale, and immediately before applying the evaluative
scale: "Do you find this. ?“ (followed by the replies from the scale);
— after the response given on the evaluative scale, and immediately before the application of the
preference scale: “Please state how you would prefer to be now” (followed by the replies from
the scale).
A 7-degree scale should be applied in the case of environments judged to be close to neutrality; a
9-degree scale should be applied in the case of environments judged to be more intense.
NOTE 5 lt is recommended that the full scales be presented, even in cases of surroundings located only in a
limited range of conditions. The wording of all the degrees of a scale provides a frame of reference useful to those
asked to verbalize their instantaneous experience.
There is utility to the investigator to consider a large number of environmental impacts and a variety
of scales. However, the desire for data must be balanced with the willingness of the participants to
provide accurate perceptions, and management’s tolerance for the use of the time required. The
survey may be most acceptable if it is focused on legitimate environmental concerns specific to the
environment in question. The scales used and ergonomic aspect assessed must get to the point and
provide actionable data.
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4.2 Scale of perception of the personal state
4.2.1 Structure of the scale
Scales can be unipolar or bipolar.
For a unipolar scale a 4-degree one-pole scale, which can be extended to 5 degrees, with a point of
origin indicating the absence of the effect, and 3 (or 4) degrees of increasing intensity of the effect.
Point of Degrees of
0 1 2 3 (4) Unique pole
origin intensity
For bipolar scales, a symmetrical 7-degree two-pole scale, which can be extended to 9 degrees,
comprising a central indifference point and two times 3 (or 4) degrees of increasing intensity.
Degrees Point Degrees
Pole A (- 4) – 3 – 2 - 1 0 + 1 + 2 + 3 (+ 4) Pole B
of intensity of indifference of intensity
4.2.2 Wording of the degrees
The poles A and B are at either end of the scale. The central point of indifference corresponds to absence
of sensation. The wording of the degrees will depend on the vocabulary choices in each language.
The selection of the terms should be carried out carefully and tested beforehand on a representative
number of persons who are native speakers of the given language.
The following wordings should be taken as an illustration:
— for languages which have several (at least two) distinct terms to denote different degrees of intensity
these terms will be used along the lines of English wording;
— for languages which do not have two terms for denoting different degrees of intensity for each of
the poles, a single term will be used for each pole and its intensity modulated by the use of adverbs
along the lines of French wording.
Note Table A.1 and Table C.1 give examples for each case.
4.3 Evaluative scale
4.3.1 Structure of the scale
A 4-degree one-pole scale, which can be extended to 5 degrees, with a point of origin indicating the
absence of the effect, and 3 (or 4) degrees of increasing intensity of the effect.
Point of Degrees of
0 1 2 3 (4) Unique pole
origin intensity
4.3.2 Wording of the points
The unique pole devoted to the evaluation of the load denotes a negative effect: DISPLEASURE,
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DISSATISFACTION or DISCOMFORT. Its intensity can be modulated by adverbs. COMFORT, located at
the point of origin, and ABSENCE OF DISCOMFORT, are also classed as positive evaluations (pleasure,
satisfaction).
NOTE 6 Table A.2, Table C.2, Table D.1, and Table E.1 give examples for each case.
4.4 Preference scale
4.4.1 Structure of the scale
A symmetrical 7-degree bipolar scale comprising a central point of indecision and two times 3 degrees
of increasing intensity.
Degrees Point Degrees
Pole A – 3 – 2 - 1 0 + 1 + 2 + 3 Pole B
of intensity of indecision of intensity
4.4.2 Wording of the degrees
Poles A and B are at either end of the scale. The central point of indecision corresponds to the ABSENCE
OF CHANGE.
The degrees should be worded using for each pole a comparative term which can be modulated in
intensity by means of adverbs. It is possible to reduce the three degrees of each of the poles to a single
degree worded by means of an unmodulated comparative term.
NOTE 7 Table A.3, Table B.2, and Table C.3 give examples for each case.
5 Personal acceptability statement and
...

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