Lack of storage space is a frequent battle cry from office personnel. The "paperless
office" of the future (if ever achieved) will diminish storage requirements,
but for now this aspect of office space planning is an important consideration for
facilities planners.
Before choosing your storage options, it may help to survey affected staffers to
find out what and how much they file and what storage requirements they believe
are necessary.
When specifying systems furniture storage components follow these rules of thumb:
 Tip: The utilization of common coat closets, storage
closets, and common filing areas can decrease the amount of storage required for
each individual cubicle. Specify freestanding storage and wardrobe closets wherever
possible to assist in the elimination of clutter.
Tip: Create banks of lateral files in convenient common
areas to relieve cubicles of files that require less frequent access.
Tip: Files in banks should be identical in height.
For safety reasons two or more files in a row should be bolted together. Specify
groups of lock / key number for user groups to decrease confusion. Use additional
overfile storage units where possible (along walls etc.) to increase storage area.
Tip: When the placement of files is against a run of
panels, always have the file height equal to or less than the height of the panel.
Tip: Two pedestal files per station is ideal. Box/box/file
and file/file pedestals offer the greatest practicality in most circumstances.
Tip: If only one pedestal is called for, specify one
with a box drawer. This allows for storage of small stationery and personal items.
Storing anything that is not a file in file drawers is a waste of valuable space.
Tip: Specify pedestals which are as deep as possible
yet do not extend beyond the worksurface. If available, use floor to surface pedestals.
Both options allow for more storage space without hindering kneespace.
Tip: Pedestals with file drawers are designed to accommodate
both legal and letter filing. Sometimes there is a compressor (adjustable lever
which compresses and conforms files) built in. Be sure to inquire whether any additional
accessories are necessary to have pedestal files meet your filing requirements.
Note: Front to back filing refers to filing letter size (8.5x11) files. Side to
side refers to legal (8.5x14) filing.
Tip: Most pedestal files are designed with depths that
can accommodate side to side filing. Countless add-on systems exist - compressors,
hooks, and dividers - that are designed to file a variety of different objects.
Know what is going to be filed before specifying.
Tip: Lateral files, when placed under surfaces within
a station are also referred to as peds or pedestals. Place them behind or adjacent
to the main worksurface and be sure that there will be sufficient room to open them.
Make sure that the combined height of your lateral file pedestal and the height
of the worksurface placed above it equals the height of the adjacent worksurfaces.
Tip: Mobile pedestals are best in "hoteling"
and workstations. They can be placed in bank outside the station and moved inside
as different individuals occupy the station.
Tip: Overhead bins, shelves and service modules are
an efficient means of increasing storage. They can be placed above most flat surfaces
and when at the right height they will not adversely affect the free space within
the cubicle.
Tip: Service modules will take away from some worksurface
area as their end panels rest on the worksurface. Service modules are best utilized
in freestanding configurations or where a low panel height will not provide adequate
support for a overhead bin or shelf.
Tip: Caution is called for when using overhead components
to store heavy items. Overheads create their own stress on the panels that support
them.
Tip: Specify common tops (modular worksurfaces) above
banks of files, especially on two and three drawer high files so as to provide for
additional "standing" work spaces. These common tops also increase aesthetic
appeal.
Tip: Always load your files from bottom to top to avoid
tipping. Counterbalance weights must be used in freestanding pedestals and two high
files to avoid the same hazard.
Tip: Freestanding credenzas, wall storage units, and
bookcases are excellent in providing space efficient storage within the context
of a private office.
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