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Casegoods
Any non-systems furniture used in office planning. The term is
likely to be used in reference to wood or laminate private
office or conference room furniture or accessories. The term
casegoods rarely refers to seating products.
Cluster
Physical grouping of workstations which share the same panels.
Components
Parts and pieces required to fully assemble a given product.
It can refer to items in a completed system (Panels,
Worksurfaces, and Pedestals), or to items required to complete
furniture which is ordered and shipped disassembled or knocked
down (i.e., the pedestals, end panels, backpanels, and
worksurface included in a freestanding desk).
Customers Own Material (C.O.M.)
Usually refers to fabric, for both seating and panels. It is
any element provided to the original equipment manufacturer
for incorporation into a custom built item. One that is not
from the OEM's (orignal equipment manufacturer) usual
offerings. Consultation with each manufacturer for its own
particular guidelines for accepting outside materials is
recommended.
Exact quantity of material required will depend on the method,
direction and surface of material to be applied, and the
quantity of product being produced. If the material has never
been utilized by the manufacturer it is recommended that
pre-production testing be employed.
Ergonomic
The study and design of various products and tools focusing on
the element of human interaction. Usual and repetitive human
movements, positions, functions, and environmental
considerations are the basis for such design and construction.
The purpose is to provide comfort and stress relief to the
user.
In furniture this concept is vital in preventing common office
injuries to the wrists, back, and eyes. Ergonomics focuses on
such usual events as: time spent sitting in one's chair,
interacting with ones desk, retrieving files, repetitive
computer usage, etc. Studies have shown that companies
committed to using ergonomically formulated devices have
dramatically lessened health insurance costs and law suits
resulting from stress and fatigue related injuries.
Freestanding Furniture
Any furniture which does not require support by a panel
structure in or out of a workstation. It is possible to place
a freestanding desk or credenza, for instance, within the
framework of a panel system.
Kneespace
The unencumbered area beneath a desk or work surface that
allows for user "legroom". Although a simple
concept, this is an important measurement often forgotten in
space planning. Assessing kneespace dimensions determines
whether items such as keyboard trays and seating will properly
fit and if such a fit allows ease of movement by the occupant.
Knock Down (K.D.)
Refers either to the actual disassembly of office furniture,
or to the way the office furniture is shipped. All pieces can
be shipped "knocked down", including seating.
Workstation
Area surrounded by panels containing worksurfaces and related
componentry and seating designed to be inhabited by a worker
or group of workers. Areas meant to be occupied solely by
business machines are generally categorized as equipment
stations
Accent Panel
Used to add visual interest or a newer appearance to older
panels.
 Acoustical
Panel
Panels, which are manufactured in accordance with the sound
absorption guidelines, stipulated by Business and
Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association.
Panels that offer a Noise Reduction Coefficient(NRC) of at
least 0.60 (1.00 providing the most absorption), are
sufficient for sound captivation. All systems furniture
manufacturers produce panels with these sound-dampening
qualities.
 Base
Cover
Section of material, generally made of metal, which covers the
open section at the bottom of the panel. The openings purpose
is to wire the panel for electrical power, computer networking
cables and telecommunication lines.
 Creep
The amount which a run of panels will increase in length due
to varying configurations and additional bracketry. Although
the increment per station may be negligible (as little as
1/4"), the collective effect may cause inaccuracies to
critical dimensions (walls, windows, and aisle ways) within
the space where stations are installed.
 Filler
Covers the exposed edges of panels due to an X, T, or L
configuration. Also covers the edge of a panel at the end of a
run. In certain installations, like those of Steelcase 9000,
these covers are only for cosmetic purposes since all panels
come complete with trim. In other cases not only must they be
specified (color and size) for aesthetics, but for structural
purposes as well, as in the case of Herman Miller AO1, AO2
& AO3.
Panel
 Any
structure covered in fabric, wood, laminate, or glass used to
create private spaces and/or support other componentry. Panels
come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors depending on
the specific system.
Panels are the first item taken into consideration when
planning a systems office, as they determine the space
required to fit componentry and overall floor space
requirements.
Panels are available in numerous sizes, fabrics, paint
finishes, wood finishes, glass transparencies etc. They can be
manufactured with the ability to plug power into their bases
or even at the worksurface height, or with no power
capabilities whatsoever.
Panels can be as high as 85" or as wide as 65".
Acoustical panels are generally tackable as well. Some have
open frames in order to promote interaction between
co-workers. There are panels with doors in order to provide
additional privacy.
Depending on the panel configuration, panels are either
self-supporting or must be supported by their corresponding
componentry (desks, etc.) and/or by wall or floor mounted
brackets.
Top Cap
The material or part which covers the opening on the top of a
panel.
Cantilever
A triangular or "L" shaped bracket which supports
(by attachment to) one or both ends of a worksurface to a
panel. Cantilevers provide more support than do other types of
bracketry. Greater support can be achieved with end panels or
floor to surface components.
Credenza (Systems)
Combination worksurface and storage unit located behind a main
worksurface.
End Panel / Back Panel
These are unlike the panels used to construct workstations.
Commonly thinner than the panels that are for workstation
construction, they are neither acoustical nor tackable, and
are only utilized in the support of worksurfaces or to create
a freestanding desk.
Grommets
Holes within the worksurface that allow wiring to pass through
to power source (cable management).
Modular Worksurface
In low height panel systems cantilevers and end panels are
exactly at worksurface height, adding dimension to the
worksurface length. For various reasons it is sometimes
necessary to eliminate these support elements.
When elimination of the support elements occur, these
worksurfaces are manufactured with added dimensions in order
to match the seams of the panel.
Return
A supplementary work surface, added to provide additional
working space, that when attached to a main worksurface and/or
credenza forms an "L" or "U"
configuration.
When used in a "U" configuration, the surface is
supported entirely by the adjacent worksurfaces and is
referred to as a bridge.
Transaction Worksurface
Any panel mounted worksurface above the main worksurfaces that
allows the user to interact with standing guests. Commonly
utilized in reception areas, these worksurfaces are generally
no more than 20" deep and come in a variety of lengths.
Worksurface
Any flat surface which provides a workspace within a
workstation. The top of a desk, freestanding or modular, is
considered a worksurface.
Worksurfaces made of laminate come in a variety of shapes and
sizes, the most prevalent being rectangular. They can be
concave or convex, "P" shaped, "L" shaped,
bulleted, or in a triangular shape for a corner position.
Edge options include squared, bullnoses, traditional routing,
notched, and even rubberized.
There are now adjustable height worksurfaces that encourage
workers to add standing to their daily routines, which
decreases lower back stress.
Box
Drawer
A drawer located in a pedestal (commonly 6" high) which
provides space to store personal items and stationery.
Credenza (Freestanding)
Freestanding piece of furniture developed to provide
additional storage. Consists of a narrow worksurface with
pedestals, lateral files, or double door cabinets underneath.
File Drawer
A drawer located in a pedestal used to store files. It is
sometimes necessary to purchase additional bars in order to be
able to file both legal and letter size files.
Pedestal
Any
storage component used under a worksurface. Pedestals may or
may not provide support. It is possible to purchase mobile
pedestals as well.
Pencil Drawer
Small drawer located beneath a worksurface or in a pedestal
used for storing stationery and small office supplies.
Lateral File (Systems)
 Storage
component containing two drawers (wider than 24")
underneath a worksurface.
Lateral files used within the confines of a cubicle should be
placed under an auxiliary worksurface. Used in this situation
lateral files can be referred to as pedestals.
Lateral Files (Freestanding)
 Storage
components containing anywhere from two to as many as eight
openings that can be fitted with regular drawers, flip top
doors, and drawers with dividers for specific uses. Sizes
range from 25" to 48" wide.
These files are generally located outside the cubicles in rows
or banks in order to provide easy access to specific users or
groups of individuals.
Overfile
Separate storage cabinet above a Lateral File used to provide
a larger area for storage of items other than files. Overfiles
can be supported by the lateral file or they can be wall
mounted.
Overhead
 Panel
or wall supported storage cabinet located within a cubical,
above a worksurface.
Open Shelves
 Used
in the same situation as an overhead where open storage is
desired.
Service Modules
Cabinet which is supported with end panels and a backpanel,
placed above the worksurface of a freestanding item, in order
to provide additional storage as well as privacy. It is not
unusual to locate a tackable surface between the worksurface
and the cabinet.
Vertical files
From two to five drawer high, 18" wide files, used mostly
for legal filing. This filing system is quickly becoming
obsolete.
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