Occupied Workplace Logistics Furniture Lift Manual 05/2012
Table of Contents Introduction.........................................................................................................................................3 Project Information Profile .................................................................................................................4 Understanding Furniture.....................................................................................................................5 Initial Walk-Thru.........................................
Introduction Occupied Workplace Logistics/Lift Installation Manual Occupied Workplace Logistics is a system that addresses the plannng, coordination, communication and installation requirements necessary when renovating an occupied work environment. Lift Installation is a process that assists in the facilitation of carpet replacement in an occupied space that uses systems office furniture. The tools (jacks, clips, etc.
The Project Information Profile Before beginning any lift project, the sales person/project manager or someone qualified from your team will need to complete a Project Information Profile. This sheet contains important information regarding the customer’s occupied office.
Understanding Furniture Systems Furniture Most of your projects involving furniture lift will be working with systems furniture. Systems furniture normally consist of what is called a panel. The panels can be attached to one another in a number of different ways. It is important that you understand the differences between a panel & post and a rigid connection. Keep in mind that very few panels can be lifted from the bottom. Panels start normally around 32” high and can go up to 80” high.
Moveable/Demountable Wall Systems These walls have been around for many years but with the push for LEED are being used more frequently. They are a very ridged systems that can range from 2” thick up to 4” thick. They can be solid or glass and can weight from 100 lbs. to 400 lbs. per panel. They normally run from floor to ceiling and many times are built right on top of the carpet. Every manufacturer is a little different as far as how they handle the wall connections.
Initial Walk-thru The initial walk-thru provides an opportunity to explain the lift process to your customer. This is a good time to evaluate the project and complete or review the Project Information Profile. The time during the walk-thru with your customer is important. It can help your customer feel more relaxed with you, the crew and the lift process. There are many things to look for when walking a job that will determine the amount of yardage the crew will be able to install each night.
These type of rip-ups are tough when you are working around furniture systems. Make sure to allow enough time for the crews to rip it up.
Project Sequence Ready the Customer for Installation • The customer is always first • Form solid relationship with the customer • Understanding your customer’s expectations • Explain approximate time frame, nightly yardage and schedule Preparing for Installation • Lift Project Challenges • Important questions to ask • Pre-installation walk-thru • Plan your layout Ready the Space • Daily job walks • Check and double check • Map and tag • Removal of loose furniture Remove the Old Carpet • Removing the broadlo
Ready The Customer for Installation The customer is always first Customers satisfaction should be our goal each and every night. Open and regular communication is of the utmost importance in the success of any project. During lift projects, you will need to make sure there is some form of communication daily, there are many projects where it becomes necessary to communicate at the end of each night and again in the morning when the customer arrives at the office.
ÍÍ Walk and talk with your Customer ●● The first night of every job is the “Getting to know you night” ●● Spend time getting acquainted with the furniture, the floor prep, etc. Make every effort to meet your customer contact and thoroughly walk the space. Ask about everything from disposal to where to find the vending machines and security.
Explain approximate time frame, nightly yardage and schedule Remember customers have no idea what you are capable of ripping up and installing in one night. The first few nights of any project should be scheduled for a lowered yardage so that the crew can get familiar with the routine, the location and especially the rip-up. The routine will consist usually of start time, bringing carpet to the site, sign-in procedures, and location of smoke rooms, break rooms, washrooms, building rules and regulations.
Preparing for Installation You are Judged Every Night Things that can cause the unwanted call in the morning could be as small as cabinets not in the correct place, one phone unplugged, glue on some wires, knife blades left lying on a desk or the best one is you put the wrong chair at a workstation. By punching the work each night, you can eliminate these unwanted calls.
Lift Projects can be full of new challenges nightly Here are a few of the basic things that will make things go much smoother if performed nightly by members of your crews. ÍÍ Tonight’s the night cards: The night before you begin in a new area you should place the “tonight’s the night” cards out. This will give the end user an opportunity to get their area ready for the crews.
Things to Look for When Examining Systems Furniture Un-level or snaking of the panels: Look across the top of the panels and point out any un-level high or low spots. Point out any snaking or zig-zagging of the panels that you see. Assure the client that you will attempt to correct that during your lift process. You will not always be able to get it perfect but you will do your best with it.
Important Questions to Ask Loading Dock Is there one? If so, is it same or correct height to allow for easy off loading of trucks? If not, allow for extra labor needed to load the material into the building. Storage Area: Is there an area to store carpet? If so, how much carpet can it hold? Is there a secured area for tools to be stored? Freight Elevator Is there one? If not, can the public elevator be used? If not, allow for the additional labor to perform a stair carry of material.
Pre-Installation Walk-thru When planning your layout try to keep the following things in mind and look for problem areas that need to be addressed with the customer. ÍÍ Plan areas to go through in complete sets of furniture workstations ÍÍ Are there a lot of filing cabinets and are they gang bolted. ■■ If they are gang bolted now they are full and can be nearly impossible to move or perform a lift on.
Plan Your Layout A very important part of the process involves the layout. By doing a preliminary layout, you can plan the progress of your job nightly. Taking the time to do a preliminary layout will also let you take advantage of combining tough areas with easy ones, helping you set the pace and production of the lift project. If the project is mainly a large open area, plan your layout with your control lines as close to the center of the room as possible.
Ready the Space Walk the Job Walk all areas where carpet will be installed, checking for any conditions that may require the customer’s attention. Things to look for: swaying panels, un-level panels, bowed work surfaces, dirt or tears in chairs or panels, or kickplates damaged or missing. Check and Double Check Check for locked file drawers (if those drawers are needed in order to unbolt files), existing clip inserts, damage, or any other areas that may require input from the customer.
Removing the old carpet Removing Broadloom Carpet Removing broadloom carpet is often the most difficult part of the process. Cuts must be made around all panels and fixed objects such as filing cabinets. If file cabinet extends to floor, removing them will make the job go faster. Be very careful around wiring! If there’s enough slack in the wiring, ease the wires away from panel being careful not to unplug them. Cut the carpet as close to the panel as possible.
Installation and Furniture Lifting Select the Correct Fittings Each furniture system may require a different setup. Consult the Project Information Profile for information to choose the correct fittings for the jacks based on the systems furniture installed for the particular project you are working on. Distribute the jacks to the crew members. The team lead should make certain everyone on the team understands where and how to use the jacks/tools.
Button-up every Night Clean up Behind Yourself Through the installation process there should be a routine of cleaning up after yourself. As you complete each workstation, begin “buttoning-up” the area. This will help eliminate phone calls from the customer the following morning. Leave the Area Finished and Safe Make sure that you leave no gaps (tight cut) between the old and the new carpet. If you leave gaps it could case a trip hazard and gaps also look unprofessional.
Plan Ahead for Tomorrow Night Before leaving each day, map out the following day’s work. Use the “Tonight’s the Night” cards, which are designed to notify employees that you will be working in their office areas. This communication helps you control the pace while informing the customer of progress and intentions for the next night’s work. You will also want to note any unusual situations that might require assistance from the customer. The customer will have time to help you prior to the next night’s work.
Keep a Job Log A collection of the pre-installation and nightly checklist and worksheets. Alert Customers to Problems If any problems occur during the job that night let someone know. Do not hide anything. If you do, they will find out. Tell the lead on the job and he will relay it to his contact at the facility about the problem.
Tools of the Trade As previously mentioned in the Introduction to this manual, the tools reference within this manual are from the Renovisions® patented system. The Tool Box Lift tools are a series of jacks and clips that are designed to lift the most common furniture systems, including freestanding desks and files. Additional tools are available to help with the rip-up of carpet from under the furniture. A variety of jack fittings have also been developed to work with specific furniture systems.
Renovisions® Tool Box Contents Items Tool Box Jacks Extensions Fittings Jack Lube Cleaning Pad Allen Wrenches 01 06 04 05 04 05 01 01 01 01 02 Custom made Tool Box with wheels Lift Jacks Jack Shaft Extensions Universal Shoe Haworth Saddle Shoe Universal Center Clip Universal Left Clip Universal Right Clip 3 oz.
Safety Keep your fingers out from under kickplates, panels, glides, desks and file cabinets, in the event you overload the jacks and it kicks out. If you have to put your fingers under things, use multiple jacks to hold the load. Keep glue 6” away from panels or jack locations, so jacks are not sitting in glue. The glue will promote the jack to slide. When working in hallways or walkways remove handles after jacking to avoid a possible trip hazard.
Furniture Terminology Accent Panels: Accent panel with attachments that install over current panels. Can be vertical and horizontal in nature. Base Covers or Kick Plates: Trim cover that many times covers the electrical system. Base Power-in (BPI) Location where building power enters the furniture system. Average one BPI per every 6 workstations.
Assembly Unit: Normally consists of a desk/credenza unit with overhead unit attached. Cantilevers: Support brackets under worksurfaces or other panel supported elements. Glide: Used to level panel systems/files/peds/desks Panel, Non-Tackable: This would indicate that the panel would be a hard surface even if it had fabric. Panel, Tackable Acoustical: Fabric-covered with a soft core that allows for sound absorption and tacking or hanging things on.
Power Pole: Vertical cable/power track that allows power and cable to distributed from the ceiling to panels systems. Race Way: Channel that allows for cable/power to be distributed through out panel system. Service Module: Attach to the top of unit assembly desks and credenzas to provide overhead storage. Slotted Channel: This is a vertical track that typically is on the end of each panel, some times the track is a shared track that is used between each panel.
Furniture Systems The following pages address specific furniture systems and the tools necessary for each product by manufacturer and product series. Additional information has been provided to assist with the specific issues that may come along when lifting these furniture systems. If you have any concerns regarding a specific furniture system, you may want to contact the manufacturer or the local product dealer in your market.
Haworth UniGroup Haworth UniGroup is particularly sensitive to lifting. Do not lift from the panel channel slots. The channel slots are independent from the panels. If you attempt to lift on the channel, you could cause the vertical channel/hinge to dislodge causing the panels to fall. In working with the Haworth Unigroup system Renovisions® has designed a special Haworth Saddle Shoe exclusively for the Haworth Unigroup.
Lifting Haworth UniGroup Panels Haworth UniGroup is an extremely sensitive furniture system that requires the electrical base covers to be detached prior to lifting. The site is also unusual. Typically panels are lifted at the vertical channel slots. The special designed Saddle Shoe supports and protects the electrical track on both sides of the track.
Haworth Premise and Race The Premise panel system has several modified features, including new panel connections and channel slot attachment detail. The small clips used to lock the panels together have also changed making the hinge location much friendlier to upward lifting. The electrical connectors are still the same which means the same location is available for lifting with the Haworth Shoe.
Haworth Race You will not see a lot of this product out there, but when you do proceed slowing. This is not a panel base - it has an open base post and beam system that has power almost at belt line height. Do not attempt to over lift just using the worksurfaces. This could cause the worksurfaces to dislodge and fall to the floor. It is strongly advised that you call a lift technician for advice prior to starting the lift project.
Haworth Compose Compose is a rigid hinge system the should not give you too many issues during the lift. This system is considered a rigid frame and tile system. The frames are bolted together inside the panels. One thing to keep and eye on would be the top caps as they can in some cases be continuous which means that the top cap can span the length of 2 panels. Like on all lifts you do not want to over lift. If this system is loaded and you attempt to over lift you could damage the top cap beyond repair.
Herman Miller Action Office Ethospace Vivo Resolve Page 37
Herman Miller Action Office The Action Office 1, 2 and 3 series manufactured by Herman Miller is another common furniture system. Action Office was introduced in the mid 1960’s and since that time it has experienced several evolutions and improvements. Action Office is considered a rigid hinge system and can be very smooth to go through if the system has been installed correctly. It would not hurt to randomly check a number of the hinge connections to make sure the are connected tightly.
Action Office Thin Base Action Office Large Base Action Office Large Base Corner with Data Cable Action Office Worksurface with Hanging Pedestal Storage.
Lifting Action Office Series 2 & 3 The primary difference between Series 1 and 2 is that the latter incorporates the base covers and electrical tracks into the panel system. The base covers are wider than the panel and everything lifts when the panel system is raised. Be aware of the fact that base covers become dislodged easily. Lifting under the large base cover is not recommended since it is both hollow and fragile.
Herman Miller Ethospace Ethospace is an elegant upgrade to most office systems furniture. Introduced in the mid-1980’s, Ethospace takes full advantage of the panel-hung concept. Like the Action Office series the panels are connected by a wedge blocks and a draw rod that extents from the base of the panel to the top. The panel connection provides a solid locking system. The Ethospace furniture system considered a frame and tile system that most of the components hang from.
Herman Miller Vivo This system was introduced by Herman Miller in late 2006. You are starting to see a lot of the product in the market place. The Vivo is very similar to the Haworth Compose system. It tends to be a very rigid system from a lift stand point. The one thing you really must watch out for would be the system is sold with a lot of wing panels that do not go down the floor. There is about a 7” gap from the floor the where the panel starts.
Herman Miller Resolve There is not a lot to this system. The thing that can get a little tricky with this system would the overhead power ways. Keep in the mind the system can be deceiving when you first look at it. Make sure the crews are given a couple of days to become familiar with moving through it. The system will normally have a lot of canopies that are over the top of the system make sure they are secure before beginning your Lift.
Steelcase 9000 Movable Wall / Avenir Answer Kick Montage Context Pathways Tech Wall Page 44
Steelcase 9000 The Steelcase 9000 panel system has been around for some time. Steelcase introduced an enhanced version of the system in the early 90’s. Panels are compatible and are attached via the hinge system that involves a flexible plastic “slip-joint”. Panels hung worksurfaces, overhead storage and filling cabinets are common. Free standing assembles including desks and filling units are also commonly found inside a workstation. Electrified panels are the most popular.
Steelcase 9000 Steelcase 9000 Conventional Page 46 Steelcase 9000 Enhanced
Steelcase 9000 Floor supported pedestal Lift Sites: The slotted channels at the hinge are the only method of lifting 9000. You are strongly encouraged to use corner locks as wells as the panel locks when lifting this system. This will keep the panels for sliding up and down between one another as well protecting your power system. Ensure that the jack heads are adjusted properly and the universal clips teeth are engaged correctly to promote a good vertical lift.
Steelcase Moveable Wall/Avenir This was one of Steelcase’s first furniture systems. This systems has evolved from panels with no power (Moveable Wall) to what is seen more of today and that is Avenir. Some of the most noticeable changes are the system would be the new power system and now the skins are removable. The system is a rigid hinge system with hang on components i.e. overhead storage and worksurfaces. The lower storage can be a bit challenging. Lower storage is all floor supported.
Steelcase Kick Steelcase Kick was introduced in 2001. It has for the most part replaced the Moveable Wall/Avenir product. The system still has the same type of rigid hinge system. Steelcase in hopes of cutting some cost in the system made a few changes. You will still employ all the same lifting techniques used for the Moveable Wall/Avenir system.
Steelcase Montage Montage has been around for a number of years now. Montage can be installed from low height up to ceiling height. The panels themselves can be very heavy and when you start adding in all of the components and storage this system can be challenging to lift. Do not attempt to slide the early version of this system or you will tear the carpet. The system has leveling spikes that are designed to go thru the carpet and hit the slab. This would also be considered a frame and tile system.
Steelcase Answer Answer has been in the field for almost 10 years and is a frame and tile system. The interesting thing about these frame are they are fully assembled in the field by the installers. As you walk this system, you will see a lot of bowing and leaning of the panels. This would not be considered a very rigid system. Care must be taking while lifting this system when loaded, unlike most systems the vertical channel you will be lifting from is a shared channel.
Steelcase Context Context is not a panel based system. Context is freestanding worksurfaces with screens on top of the worksurfaces. There are a number of different versions of this system. If you run across one of the earlier versions care must be taking when lifting if the system has power in the base. During the lift the power will become disconnected for the system. You will need more jacks and one extra man during these types of projects.
Knoll Equity Morrison Currents Page 53
Support Materials & Forms The following pages provide information on the Occupied Workplace Logistics support materials and forms currently available. ÍÍ Ocuppied Workplace Logisitics Brochure ÍÍ Project Information Profile ÍÍ Tonight’s the night cards ÍÍ Thank you cards ÍÍ Furniture Skates ÍÍ Renovisions® Tools For more information or to order these materials, please contact Kris Keller at (407) 574-6600 or kkeller@fusealliance.com.
Occupied Workplace Logistics Brochure The Occupied Workplace Logisitics Brochure is available in the two versions shown below. Cover Customize brochure cover with your company logo and informaton. Need a Lift? Tired Carpet Got You Down? Replace it. SAM Designed specifically for working in occupied facilities, furniture lift installation offers a unique method of carpet installation that reduces downtime with less hassles to you and your employees.
Project Information Profile Page 56
Tonight’s the night for your new carpet! E ABC L (see other side) P M A S FLOORING Tonight’s the night for your new carpet! (see other side) Page 57 ABC FLOORING
New carpet will arrive under your desk tonight. Before you go home tonight, please put away or box any significant personal belongings. Place files, papers, and other items which are located on the floor in boxes, they do not have to be removed from your workstation. Desktop computers and PCs located on the floor should be turned off. E L If you have any questions or need boxes, please contact your facilities manager or office coordinator.
Page 59 S FLOORING ABC for your cooperation in preparing your office area for new carpet. for your cooperation in preparing your office area for new carpet. FLOORING ABC for your cooperation in preparing your office area for new carpet. FLOORING ABC E L P M A FLOORING ABC for your cooperation in preparing your office area for new carpet.
Furniture Skates Furniture skates can be purchased from XL North. To place an order, please call XL North at (888) 530-2259. Renovisions® Tools For information or assistance with Renovisions® tools, please contact: Mike Hutton Interface Services (770) 975-4823 mike.hutton@interfaceglobal.
