Control Room Console Buying Guide
Are you confused about control room console design? There are multiple factors to consider when choosing the right consoles for your workspace. With this guide, we can help you select the best control room furniture for your needs.
What is a control room console?
Consoles are the desks and workstations used inside control rooms. These are mission critical work environments in use 24/7 where operators may be monitoring activities for a variety of services such as utilities, transport and emergency services.
2.8m wide control room desk with twin desktops and two tier monitor arrangment
The nature of control room operations means that consoles differ from standard office desks. They need to withstand 24/7 use and integrate customised IT equipment. A control room console will often support multiple PCs with large monitors in a tiered arrangement. This means that technology integrations must include monitor arms capable of multiple tiered monitors, enhanced cable management and ventilation systems along with extra power and data outlets.
Control room consoles usually include the following features:
User controlled sit-stand height adjustability
Full cable management integrated into the control room console
Power and data outlets
Support for multiple monitors in a tiered configuration
Ventilation systems
Storage space for PCs and equipment
In addition to this, a command centre console must integrate other hardware such as surveillance and communications technology.
Which type of console is best?
To help choose the best control room console you’ll need to consider the configuration of your working environment e.g.location of any video wall, the number of planned users, IT and power requirements. There are two main types of console, single surface and dual surface:
Single Surface Console
Single surface consoles have one surface for both the keyboard and monitors. They provide a large usable work surface with plenty of space for equipment and can be fixed or height adjustable. If the control room console is height adjustable it’s easy to reposition between sitting and standing as the whole surface moves with the touch of a button. Fixed single surface consoles provide a cost effective solution for your control room.
Dual Surface Console
A dual surface control room console will have one surface that functions as the primary workspace for users and a secondary surface that supports monitors. This offers many benefits. Both surfaces are usually height adjustable which is great for ergonomics as the user can set their preferred height on each surface. The control room workstation can easily be optimised for either sitting or standing. A separate surface for monitors allows greater flexibility in the number of monitors supported and the systems used for support. The level of functionality and ergonomics offered by dual surface consoles makes them ideal for situations where users spend long shifts at their control room desk and where the desk is shared between multiple personnel.
What to consider when choosing a control room console
Is it ergonomic?
The comfort and safety of workers are critical in 24/7 environments where users may be working long shifts under considerable pressure.
An ergonomic control room console needs to have a large enough surface area to support equipment and reference materials. Users should be able to reach frequently used items easily without having to stretch or stand up. The depth underneath the desk must have adequate ‘knee clearance’ and give users enough space to stretch their legs. Monitor mounting systems should allow easy adjustment of height, focal depth and tilt.
If a central monitor/video wall for critical data display is planned, then user sight line must be considered. Sometimes a fixed height console may be the best option as raising the desk height could impede the sight line of another user. Consoles can also be designed that create concentric curves around any central video display optimising sight lines.
Critical data can also be displayed at each console via a multi-tiered monitor configuration. The monitor arrangement can be designed to have a curved formation with the console fitting the overall monitor width. The control room console shape will replicate the curve of the monitor arrangement to optimise monitor viewing.
How durable is it?
Control room equipment needs to be built to a high standard to withstand 24/7 use. Ideally, the console should last 10 years or more with the capacity to be maintained and parts replaced during its lifetime.
Is it covid safe?
Plexiglass covid barriers may be incorporated into the control room console desk to provide a barrier against airborne particles and encourage social distancing.
What are your IT hardware storage needs?
IT and technology storage requirements are a key consideration when choosing consoles for your work environment. Although computers have shrunk in size over the years cable management has remained an important factor in control room design.
PCs are contained within enclosures beneath the control room workspace so it’s essential to consider the type and number of computers that will be used for each workstation. The PC housing can be bespoke and come in a variety of designs including dynamic systems which move with a height adjustable desktop, and expandable models which cater for ‘day two’ IT requirements.
Since a control room console will usually house multiple PCs and other equipment it will need a robust cable management system. As well as having adequate space, cable storage needs to be accessible to make adjustments simple. The cables must be discreetly stored so that they don’t impede the user or look unsightly. This can be achieved through a range of bespoke designs such as sliding desktops that give access to the cable tray or cable management chains that enable quick release connection.
Bespoke desk IT storage
What are your floor layout requirements?
Floor layout design is an essential consideration when planning control room design. The layout configuration must take into account the shape and dimensions of the consoles. Other factors to consider include the number of users at each workstation, video wall location, power and data sources, and collaboration between the operators. The amount of foot traffic and ease of movement between desks, and compliance with the relevant building regulations must also be factored into the layout design.
Looking for your ideal control room console? Technology Desking create tailored solutions for your unique requirements. Whether it’s a slight tweak or a completely custom solution, our core principles of ergonomic design and efficient technology management will always be met. Take a look at our products here