Furniture: Setting Up Furniture System Performance Criteria
Purpose
After completion of space planning, the designer is ready to select the furniture system for the project. This requires setting up the performance criteria for selection and evaluations. The process helps the designer to fully understand the user needs and compare that to what are available by the manufacturers since each system is unique and there are substantial differences in performances.
The performance criteria should be in the form of the mandatory performance
criteria which defines the minimum performance necessary in order the system furniture
is to be considered for the project.
Factors that determine the selection of performance criteria
image and aesthetic considerations of the company
space planning or grouping requirements of standard work stations
functional requirement of each standard work station
ability to wrap around existing furniture if a reuse program is ncessary
until they can be phrased out
technical characteristics and performance
satisfy the durability and maintenance requirement
ability to adapt to future changes for growth or contraction
ability to adapt to given building system: power, communication and lighting
satisfy the initial budget constrain for the project as well as future replacements
budget
Furniture System Mandatory Performance Criteria List
The Format
To facilitate comparisons, organize the information using a table with the
criteria list on the left column and the performance requirement on the right
column.
Mandatory Performance Criteria List
Performance Requirements in order to be considered
Panels: types and sizes
construction
types: panel based, segmented, framed, stackable
features: acoustical/nonacoustical, electrified/ nonelectrified,
tackable or non tackable, or all
size ranges, w x h ranges
curve panel radius, h ranges
connector types and angles: flexilbe hinge, rigid, multi-angle, specific
angle, etc.
creep tolerance
panel ratings, minimum NRC & STC
Panels: color and
finishes
fabric finishes - list minimum selections
wood species needed
laminate finishes - list minimum selections
colors - list minimum number or type of color requirements
Components: work surfaces (types, w x d)
primary work surfaces: shapes, w x d
secondary work surfaces: shapes, w x d
conference work surface: shapes, w x d ranges
transaction work surfaces: shapes, w x d ranges
dedicated computer surfaces: shapes, w x d, features and mechanism
drafting surface: w x d ranges
others: shapes, w x d ranges
Components: storages
(types, w x d and capacities)
pedestals, panel or work surface hung, depths
panel mount storage bins, flipper doors or hinged, retractable above
or inside storage, w x d x h ranges
panel mount file bins: w x d x h ranges
panel mount shelvings, standard, display or others, sizes: w x d
freestanding pedestals mobile or stationery: depth ranges
cabinets or towers: w x d x h ranges
others: size ranges
Components: accessories
and options
paper organizers
paper flow
center drawers
pencil drawers
display shelves
dividers
key aliked
others
Components: support and adjustments
types: cantilever, panel, bracket, or others
adjustment ranges for work surfaces and panel mount storages
locking mechanism
ability to accomodate unbalance load on both sides of the panel
Coordinate freestanding furniture
moveable pedestals
files: lateral, vertical, fire proofing, w x h, no. of drawers
supply cabinets: w x d x h ranges
coat cabinets: w x d x h ranges
shelving: w x d x h ranges
work tables: w x d ranges
conference tables: shapes, w x d ranges
alternative office products: types and size ranges
others: types and size ranges
Lighting
sources: incandescent, fluorescent or HID
types: task, ambient or both
location: under storage or shelf, panel mount, work surface mount,
or freestanding
modules - size coordinate with storage or shelves
Electrical and communication
type of system - preinstalled in the factory, retrofitted on site
accessibility: baseline, beltline, ports, or all
distribution - separate raceway for power and communication
circuits - 5, 8, 10 or 12 wire systems, number of dedicated circuit
and isolated
types of receptacles: duplex, triplex, fourplex
power entry requirement: base entry or ceiling entry
panel to panel power connection: flexible or rigid
capacity - total connected power and communication within a cluster
power management - integrated in panels, under work surfaces, concealed
vertical management
Rapid Delivery Program
panel types and sizes needed
component types and sizes needed
finishes needed
Overall quality and esthetics
design: list style desired
consistency in details
stability and durability
ease of installation
flexibility: reconfigure ease, without knocking down adjacent panels
Services
history: company history minimum
experience: same size installation
plant locations closest
quality of installer and experience
installations: minimum number of installations that can be viewed
around specific radius
warranty or guarantee, minimum length of warranty or guarantee
references: mininum number of references around the area
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Furniture Systems Evaluations