Only professionals should install systems furniture

  • Published
  • By John Minker
  • 60th Civil Engineer Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Configuring an office space here can be a challenge. One effective way is to use systems furniture [often mistakenly called modular furniture]. 

Systems furniture allows efficient use of space while providing people workstations that can be interchanged amongst different cubicles and work spaces. However, there are inherent problems when the proper use and installation of this furniture is not fully understood. 

First, systems furniture is not real property as defined by current Air Force Instructions. Installation must be made by a licensed furniture installation contractor and electrical connections must be made by a licensed electrician hired by the furniture installation contractor. 

This is because the connections from the wall or ceiling to the furniture is typically made using a “whip” . 

Civil engineers at Travis may be asked to provide circuits to boxes permanently installed in the ceiling, in the walls or exiting raceways to support the installation. Requests for this support must be made through the normal process of submitting the AF 332 [Base Civil Engineer Work Request] and AF 813 [Request for Environmental Impact Analysis], along with supporting documentation and approval from the Work Order Review Board, which meets monthly. 

The actual connection of these services to the whips of the furniture cannot be made by CE as the furniture itself is not real property. 

In addition, when connection is made the attributes of the particular brand of furniture are important, and the electrician hired by the furniture installation contractor will know better the intricacies of that particular brand. 

If CE were to miswire a whip due to lack of experience or knowledge of a particular brand, or if the furniture installation contractor erred in the interconnection of the panels or feed bus, CE could be liable for the cost of any damage that results. 

Second, systems furniture is meant to be installed to best use the existing space. Then the people can use the modular file cabinets, storage [sometimes referred to as “flippers”], chairs, desktops and other parts that are interchangeable to move from one cubicle to another. 

Systems furniture is not meant to be relocated with every move of an organization, it is meant to be permanently installed in an office to allow for efficient movement of members. And some companies require that their designers determine what parts are needed for adapting systems to new spaces and uses or when repairs are needed. The cost for this starts at $75 an hour with established minimums and travel time. 

Finally, to circumvent these issues, customers often ask to make changes or movement of furniture through “self-help.” 

Last May at Cape Canaveral, a staff sergeant was shocked and burned while trying to assemble systems furniture being moved. She was not an electrician, but felt the job only involved plugging and unplugging the electric feed to the furniture. Her injuries were serious enough to require airlift to a local trauma center in Florida. 

So, systems furniture should be installed or repaired by a contractor with their own electrician. Once installed, it should not be relocated. Self-help relocation and installation is not recommended.