Control Room Design Is Not One Size Fits All

Control room design is not one size fits all endeavor. Control rooms are all unique and require special design considerations to get them right. So, if you think your specific requirements will be hard for a company to fulfill and your needs hard to meet, think again. Fountainhead invests the time to develop comprehensive design around the unique operational and workflow requirements of the customer. Take a look at how control room design considerations can have a big impact.

Keeping the Operator in Mind

What’s the number one most important consideration when designing a control room? The operators are the priority, no matter the industry or primary function of the room. Most importantly, the individuals who work in the center are what really makes your business work. Their comfort and productivity are critical, and ergonomics and comfort are of utmost importance during the design phase.

Distraction from the tasks at hand is often the result of an operator who is dealing with physical discomfort and fatigue. Choosing the right furniture, including consoles, chairs, desktop layouts, configurations, and adjustability, will be a determining factor in your success. What your business is and what your operators do during their shifts will help the design team customize furniture to fit your specific needs.

Sight Lines

Many control rooms have massive video integration, including video walls and large-scale screens. Line of sight is vital to your operators’ ability to access all information as it becomes available. They should be able to view the video displays with little movement and no interruption to their work.

The line of sight is crucial when creating your ideal room design. There should be no obstruction, and every operator should have equal access to the display. What video needs does your company have? We’ll learn exactly what you do and how to display your information best as we build a layout that works for you.

Don’t Forget Lighting

Lighting might not seem like an essential aspect of a central control or security room, but it can significantly impact operator success and accuracy. Just as furniture that lacks ergonomic design can cause fatigue and discomfort, poor lighting options can have the same effect.

One way to address lighting issues is to consider designing with circadian rhythm in mind. Since most control rooms are windowless, adjusting lighting levels throughout the day can reduce tiredness and increase alertness throughout a typical shift. Depending on when your staff works, what their busiest hours are, and how those hours affect how they work, we’ll customize a lighting plan that helps your team members be their most accurate and productive.