-A-

Acoustical Panel
A systems furniture panel with acoustical properties to absorb sound within the panel structure providing a higher STC rating for the overall workspace.

Adjustable Arms
Refers to the adjustability of chair arm rests, typically on a task chair. They can be height adjustable (vertical), width adjustable (horizontal), rotating and/or have a sliding arm pad.

AutoCAD
The computer program used by most architecture and interior design industry professionals to generate drawings.

-B-

B/B/F Pedestal
Abbreviation for Box/Box/File Pedestal. The word pedestal (or commonly referred to as a “ped”) is a filing unit, typically about 15” wide and located under a worksurface top. A “box” drawer is a 6” high drawer used for smaller items, such as pencils and calculators. The “file” drawer is about 12” high and is a standard hanging file compartment.

Beltway Power
In systems furniture, refers to a horizontal strip above worksurface height that allows for power and data capability and access. The standard location for most systems is at the base of the panel.

Boat Shaped Table Top
A rectangular shaped table top design that, in plan view, has 2 short sides that are flat and 2 long sides that are bowed outward in a convex shape so as to allow for better person-to-person vision around a long conference table.

Bridge
The worksurface that connects a desk and credenza, so as to form a U-shaped configuration around the user.

-C-

C-Leg
A support leg that allows knee clearance for the user underneath the worksurface.

Casegoods
Refers to freestanding wood office furniture.

Casters
The small wheels that allow for mobility on a piece of furniture.

COL
Abbreviation for “Customer’s Own Leather.” Term used in a furniture specification when an item is being upholstered with leather from a source other than the manufacturer of the furniture.

COM
Abbreviation for “Customer’s Own Material.” Term used in a furniture specification when an item is being upholstered with fabric from a source other than the manufacturer of the furniture.

Counterweight
Small weights in the base of a tall file cabinet the keep it from tipping over when a loaded drawer is open.

CPU Holder
An accessory piece attached to the underside of a worksurface to hold a computer’s CPU and assist in wire management.

Credenza
In a private office setting, it is the worksurface/storage unit located behind the user. In a conference room or gathering space, it can be used for serving as well as provide additional storage.

-D-

Double Pedestal Desk
A desk configuration that consists of left and right pedestal files and kneespace in the center for the user.

Drum Base
A large cylindrical base used to support a table or worksurface.

Duplex Outlet
A standard electrical outlet with 2 receptacles.

-E-

End Panel
A support panel that runs the entire depth of a freestanding worksurface and does not allow for knee clearance for the user.

End Trim
On a systems furniture panel, it refers to the finished vertical end cap.

Ergonomics
Also referred to as human factors, is the science of fitting the tools and equipment of the workplace to the worker.

-F-

F/F Pedestal
Abbreviation for File/File Pedestal. The word pedestal (or commonly referred to as a “ped”) is a filing unit, typically about 15” wide and located under a worksurface top. This unit houses 2 standard filing drawers.

Flipper Door
Refers to the door on an overhead storage unit in a workstation. These doors are typically hinged at the top and lift up either on top of or into the storage unit.

Floor Core
The process of coring through the slab of a floor to bring power and tele/data capability to a room or area.

Freestanding
Refers to furniture not supported by systems furniture panels.

-G-

Glides
Refers to the small, adjustable feet on a large piece of furniture or systems furniture panel in order to make it level. Can also refer to the finished ends of a chair leg that protects the floor as well as the chair leg itself.

Grommet
A finished hole in a worksurface or other surface to allow for the passage of wires.

-H-

Hutch
A storage unit that sits on top of a credenza. Typically seen in a private office setting.

-K-

Keyboard Tray
A unit that attaches to the underside of a worksurface to hold a computer keyboard. Various models are available to allow for user-specific adjustability and assist in the prevention of carpel tunnel syndrome.

Knockouts
In the base of a systems furniture panel, refers to the hole provided for an electrical or tele/data outlet.

-L-

L-Post
The corner connector used when two panels meet at a 90 degree angle. Also referred to as a 2-way connector.

Lateral File
A filing cabinet that is wider than it is deep to allow for side to side filing or front to back filing of records. Typically come in widths of 30”, 36” and 42”.

Lead Time
The amount of time needed for production and delivery of a piece of furniture after order entry.

Load Bar
A bar mounted either to a wall or to a systems furniture panel that accessories are mounted to.

Lumbar Support
A standard or available option on a good quality task chair that provides support for the lower back.

-M-

Mobile Pedestal
A small storage unit that has casters to allow for mobility. Typically used for files and/or personal storage. Most can be ordered with a cushion on top to allow for informal seating.

-O-

Off Modular
The ability for systems furniture components to join into a perpendicular panel at any increment, rather than the ends of the panel only.

Overfile
A storage unit that sits atop a 4 or 5 drawer file.

-P-

Panel Creep
When planning multiple workstation clusters for a space, it is the dimension of a panel’s thickness multiplied by how many times it occurs over the length of the space.

Panel Mount
The ability to mount and hang storage units, worksurfaces and accessories to a systems furniture panel.

Pedestal
Also referred to as a “ped,” is a filing unit, typically about 15” wide and located under a worksurface top. Can be fixed or mobile and can have different storage configurations.

Peninsula Top
Also called a P-top, it is a primary worksurface designed with one rounded end to provide a comfortable meeting space for multiple users to gather around.

Plan View
An aerial view of a space, room or piece of furniture, cutting a horizontal section at 5’-0” above the floor line.

Pneumatic Height Adjustment
On a task chair, allows different size users to adjust the seat height.

Power Infeed
The electrical connection used to provide systems furniture with the building’s power source.

Power Pole
A floor to ceiling pole, similar to a small column bringing power and tele/data wiring to a workstation pod, in lieu of a floor feed.

Punchlist
The list that is generated after the project’s completion to indicate any items that are missing or damaged. Applies to architecture as well as to furniture.

-Q-

Quadradplex Outlet
Also know as a quad, it is an electrical outlet with 4 receptacles.

Quick Ship
A program offered by most furniture manufacturers making some of their most popular or easily manufactured products available with accelerated lead times.

-R-

Raceway
The channel provided within a systems furniture panel to run electrical wiring and telephone cabling to the outlets.

Return
The side worksurface stemming from the user’s primary worksurface creating an L-shape in plan.

-S-

Skins
The upholstered portion of a systems furniture panel. Easy to remove and re-upholster to provide an updated look or replace damaged product.

Sliding Seat Pan
An option on many task chairs that allows the seat to move from front to back in order to accommodate different leg lengths.

Specifications
The ordering information for a piece of furniture. Typically includes the manufacturer’s item number, color, finish, size and any other options specific to the piece.

Spine
The common center panel running down the middle of a workstation pod that all perpendicular panels connect into.

Stanchions
The support column on a worksurface used to upmount overheads.

-T-

T-Post
The connector used when three panels meet at an intersection, forming a “T.” Also referred to as a 3-way connector.

Tackable Panel
A systems furniture panel with a built in tackable surface.

Tackboard
A fabric covered tackable surface generally mounted to the panel or wall between the top of a worksurface and the bottom of an overhead cabinet.

Task Chair
The chair provided for employees to work in.

Tasklight
The additional light source commonly provided at a desk or workstation. Can be freestanding or mounted underneath an overhead storage cabinet.

Tiled Panel
A systems furniture panel with a segmented look housing multiple panel inserts. These inserts can be of varying materials to create different looks or have different functions and can be changed out very easily.

Top Cap
The finished piece of the top of a workstation post or panel.

Transaction Top
A worksurface typically mounted at 42” high and intended for receiving standing visitors or exchanging information. Often seen at reception or secretary stations.

Translucent
A surface that light and objects can be perceived through, but not clearly made out.

Transparent
Clear enough to be seen through.

-U-

Upmount
The term used when stanchions are used to mount shelving or overhead storage on top of a worksurface.

-V-

Vertical File
A filing cabinet that is deeper than it is wide, in which records can only be stored front to back.

Vertical Raceway Panel
A panel with an interior vertical cavity to bring power and data above worksurface height.

-W-

Wall Mount
Refers to the installation of systems furniture pieces that are mounted directly to a drywall partition, rather than hung from a furniture panel.

Wardrobe Cabinet
A personal storage unit in a workspace designed to hold a coat, jacket or other hanging items.

Wire Management
Characteristics of a piece of furniture that conceal wires and power cords from view.

Work Wall
In a private office environment, refers to the wall incorporating worksurfaces, storage, power and accessories.

-X-

X-Post
The connector used when four panels meet at 90 degree angles. Also referred to as a 4-way connector.