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hoofdhoogte

Hoofdhoogte is a Dutch term meaning head height, referring to the vertical distance from the floor up to the top of a person’s head when standing upright. In practice the concept is used to describe the available clearance for a person’s head in a space or against an obstacle. It is a key consideration in ergonomics, architectural design, safety engineering and product development.

Measurement and use

To determine hoofdhoogte for design purposes, measurements are typically taken from standing posture, ideally across a

Applications

In architecture and interior design, hoofdhoogte influences ceiling heights, door openings, beams, and overhead fixtures to

Relation to other concepts

Hoofdhoogte is related to, but distinct from ooghoogte (eye level), which concerns line of sight and field

Summary

Hoofdhoogte abstracts the vertical space available above a person’s head and guides decisions that aim to prevent

representative
population
to
capture
variation
in
stature.
Designers
use
knowledge
of
hoofdhoogte
to
establish
safe
clearances,
taking
into
account
posture,
headgear,
movement,
and
potential
occupational
tasks.
Understanding
the
distribution
of
hoofdhoogte
helps
set
minimum
clearances
and
avoid
head
injuries
or
discomfort.
ensure
comfortable
and
safe
passage.
In
workplaces,
considerations
of
head
height
support
the
placement
of
storage,
shelves,
and
equipment
to
prevent
collisions.
In
vehicle
and
cab
design,
head
height
affects
seat
position,
headroom,
and
the
placement
of
controls
and
dashboards
to
optimize
visibility
and
safety.
of
view.
Population
differences
in
height—by
age,
sex
and
overall
stature—affect
the
distribution
of
hoofdhoogte
and
are
taken
into
account
in
inclusive
design.
contact
with
overhead
elements
while
maintaining
comfort
and
accessibility.