How to identify and select high-quality furniture for your control room? - Americon

1. Control rooms are spaces with very specific characteristics. Inside these rooms, operators spend long hours seated in front of large displays going over critical data. Since their performance is tied to their workspaces, control rooms have to be designed and furnished to promote their effectiveness and productivity. Furniture makes up a big part of a workspace, and a well thought out furniture setup can dramatically improve efficiency while reducing fatigue, eye, neck, and back strain. If you are in search of furniture for your control room, here are some practical tips to help you pick the best furniture.

2. 1. Select ergonomic furniture When selecting control room furniture, ergonomics are important in maintaining the efficiency of operations. Due to the repetitiveness of the work, strain and discomfort can occur. While you may not notice it right away, it can lead to repetitive strain injuries such as carpal tunnel and back pain over time. To help prevent and reduce the strain, discomfort, and occurrence of these injuries, ensure you get ergonomic furniture. For instance, the chairs should have a curved backrest to support the lower spine. Armrests should keep the operators arms parallel to the floor to prevent them from hunching their shoulders. 2. Pick appropriate consoles Consoles are an integral part of any control room. As such, you want to pick the right sized consoles for your needs. Different consoles have different capacities; for instance, a single user console can fit one keyboard and about 3 screens. This means if you need a console with room for more than 3 displays, you will go for a multi-user one. When picking your consoles, always try to find a middle ground between your needs and your budget. How many screens should one console have? Is getting a multi-user or a single-user console cheaper? Is the console design you picked reconfigurable? You also want to pick consoles with ample room for any other equipment you might have and those that can be easily adjusted or have enough room to accommodate the chairs you choose to pair with them. 3. Go for standard-sized, adjustable furniture Ideally, each console should suit every operator perfectly. Unfortunately, there’s no single console design or chair height that will create the perfect ergonomic setup for all employees. The next best thing is selecting standardized furniture that can be easily adjusted and reconfigured to suit any

3. individual’s needs. As a minimum, your consoles, chairs, and monitors should have adjustable heights. For instance, the chairs should have adjustable armrests, adjustable heights, and should also recline. This way, each employee can adjust them to their specific needs. The right furniture for your control room meets the needs of your employees and allows for potential growth. It’s ergonomic, meaning it prevents injuries from repetitive strain, accommodates different users, and helps keep them comfortable, engaged, and focused. With the right furniture, you can make your control rooms the highest functioning room in your organization. With these tips, you can easily identify and select the best furniture for your command centers.