Associated with lack of space and crowding. It takes into account the need for social interaction and privacy.
Impact on health
Linked to psychological distress and various mental disorders. May also lead to:
- increased heart rate
- increased perspiration
- intolerance
- inability to concentrate
- hygiene risks
- accidents
- spread of contagious diseases
Causes
- Crowding together of people, their belongings and furniture.
- Where circulation spaces or functional space around appliances are not kept clear.
- Beds placed too close to fixed heating appliances.
- Increased moisture burden. Can be a cause of condensation giving rise to associated health risk.
- Shared facilities lack privacy.
Prevention
- There should be enough space to separate different household activities. Will be dependent on the number of people sharing the space, and whether they are part of the same household.
- Open-plan dwellings may be acceptable for a single person or for a couple. Not for larger households.
- Physical separation of living, cooking, dining and even sleeping areas.
- Bedrooms leading off circulation spaces large enough for sleeping, study and relaxing.
- Enough provision for sleeping for the numbers accommodated in the dwelling.
- Adequate sized living area for the household.
- Indoor and outdoor play and recreation space is necessary in accommodation housing children.
- Outdoor play space should be visible from within the dwelling.
- Each bath or shower sited in a bathroom.
- Each toilet sited in a bathroom or separate compartment. Provided with a lockable door.