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Derek Dugas explains how to choose the right shape for your control room furniture. Why Footprint Decisions Drive Mission Outcomes In 24/7 operations, layout determines operator reach, situational awareness, walking distances, and serviceability. The Sustema Transit Linear & Cockpit platforms offer standard widths and depth profiles that scale from compact positions to high‑density workstations—so you can match the workstation to the mission, not the other way around. Standard Widths: 72", 84", 96" (with limited 48"/60") Sustema provides three primary widths—72", 84", 96"—with select models also available in 48" and 60" for constrained rooms or specialty roles. Wider frames support additional technology and more complex display stacks without crowding the operator’s primary reach zone. Width Best For Typical Advantages 72" Single‑role stations, narrow bays Smaller footprint; easier to fit in legacy rooms 84" Balanced setups (PSAP call‑takers, grid operators) Extra surface + cabinet capacity without a large jump in space 96" Supervisory or multi‑system operators Maximum equipment space; more flexible monitor layouts 48"/60" (limited) Tight alcoves, specialty positions Minimal footprint where building geometry or egress limits apply Depth Profiles: 36‑30, 36‑36, 36‑42 Depth is the hidden variable that determines CPU capacity, cable routing, and reach comfort. Transit consoles support multiple depth profiles—36‑30, 36‑36, 36‑42—so you can scale for equipment density while protecting operator ergonomics and service access. Depth Profile When to Choose It What It Enables 36‑30 Slim equipment loads; compact rooms Keeps operator close to displays; conserves aisles 36‑36 General‑purpose control‑room setups Balanced reach vs. cabinet/CPU volume 36‑42 High CPU density or extensive cabling More airflow/cooling options; easier tech access How Shape Affects Footprint: Linear vs. Cockpit Linear configuration: Straight runs that scale quickly across rows and pods; excellent for Back‑to‑Back configurations in utilities NOCs and control room dispatch furniture. Cockpit configuration: Curved, operator‑centric geometry that supports the focal‑adjustment monitor platform (Cockpit only), allowing forward/back and height adjustments to optimize viewing distance. It can be arranged in closed and open pod configurations. Related reads: Space planning and monitor mounting options for control room furniture. Equipment Density, Cooling & Cabinets: Why Depth Matters Transit consoles can be configured with 2 or 3 heavy‑duty cabinets featuring lockable, ventilated doors. For high heat loads, add low‑noise thermostatic fans. If you’re planning sliding CPU shelves, box‑file drawers, or center‑bay equipment, the 36‑36 or 36‑42 depths typically provide better airflow paths and service clearances. Showcase of sliding shelf inside CPU enclosure for control room furniture. Related read: Technology integration in control room workstations. Display Strategy & Reach: Arms, Mounts, and Large Screens Articulated monitor arms support horizontal, vertical, and multi‑level arrays, including large monitors up to 50". For dense visual stacks (e.g., PSAP call‑taking + CAD + video), consider Cockpit with focal adjustment or Linear at 84"/96" widths to preserve ergonomic viewing distances. Monitor arms for control room consoles. Related reading: Monitor mounting options. Power & Data Routing: HD vs. Lite Walls and Aisle Planning Footprint selection should anticipate power/data entry points. HD walls provide integrated horizontal and vertical raceways with removable finishing panels; Lite walls offer a slimmer profile with instant outlet access—both result in cleaner surfaces and faster field service. Wider or deeper footprints can simplify raceway capacity. Cable management wall system for command center furniture. Related reading: Wall systems for cable management in mission critical environments. Ergonomics & 24/7 Comfort Considerations Depth and width choices should pair with PES 360 options—task/status lighting, base heaters, and surface‑integrated cooling fans—to maintain alertness across shifts. Sustema designs incorporate ANSI/HFES and ANSI/BIFMA considerations referenced in product documentation to support operator comfort in 24/7 duty. Heavy duty task light for control console furniture. Explore our Personal Environmentall System. Selection Checklist: Pick the Right Width & Depth (Fast) Mission Profile: PSAP/9‑1‑1 Dispatcher Furniture & EOC → Cockpit or Linear 84/96 with Sustrack + articulated arms; Utilities → Linear 84/96 with HD walls. Space Envelope & Egress: validate door swings, columns, and aisle widths; consider 72" or limited 48/60" where constrained. Equipment Inventory: for high density/heat, prefer 36‑36 or 36‑42 with fans and sliding CPU shelves. Display Stack: for multi‑level arrays and up to 50" displays, ensure chosen width/depth keeps controls in primary reach. Cable Topology: structured separation of power/data → HD walls; tight spaces → Lite walls with adequate maintenance access. Operator Comfort: add PES 360 features based on shift feedback and ambient conditions. Example Configurations 911 Dispatch & Call‑Taking Position (Compact Performance): 84" × 36‑36; Sustrack + articulated arms; PES 360 task light; HD walls in tight aisles. Explore the case study. Mining monitoring operations center: 96" × 36‑42; electrical raceways; hanging CPU; integrated retractable monuments. Explore the full installation. Resources & Next Steps Explore the feature deep‑dives: Space Planning for Control Rooms Choosing Your Monitor Mount Monitor Arms for Control Rooms HD vs. Lite Wall Systems Built‑In Technology Integration Personal Environment System (PES 360) Accessories & Power Finishes & Edging Options Ready to start planning your next control room? Book a space‑planning consultation or request a quote. We will help you build a control room that meets your special needs and requirements.

About the Client The Client’s Communications Unit is responsible for handling emergency and non-emergency calls for the city and surrounding counties. In 2020 alone, the team answered 119,898 calls (excluding 9-1-1 calls), resulting in 35,935 calls for service. Staffed with a 9-1-1/Communications Manager, 4 Supervisors, and 12 highly trained Communicators, the unit manages all 9-1-1 calls, prioritizes emergencies, and dispatches medical and fire calls to emergency partners. Operating under a four-platoon system, this team is the backbone of public safety. About the Project As part of the Next Generation (NG) 911 transition, our client needed to combine fire and police dispatch operations into one modern control room. The upgrade required: 10 dispatch workstation desks for Police and Fire Services. Integration of two PSAP sites and a collocated backup site. Accommodation for increased monitor counts and advanced technology. Compliance with NG911 standards and ergonomic best practices. Mandatory Requirements Included: CPU cabinets with ventilation for up to 4 computer terminals. Dual work surfaces with height adjustability (22”–48” range). Monitor mounting systems for two rows of screens with focal depth adjustment. Task lighting, climate control (heat/fan), and acoustic panelling. Advanced cable management and power distribution. The Solution Sustema delivered custom Linear Transit consoles designed for 24/7 mission-critical environments, meeting all NG911 requirements. Configuration: 5 consoles for Fire Services (5-screen setup: 3 bottom, 2 top). 5 consoles for Police Services (7-screen setup: 4 bottom, 3 top). Key Features: Ergonomic Design: Height-adjustable surfaces with Linak control pads and memory presets. Technology Integration: Monitor mounting systems for multi-screen setups, Humanscale arms for flexibility. Personal Comfort: Built-in fans and heaters for operator well-being. Power & Cable Management: Multiple power bars, USB ports, and CPU enclosures with cooling fans. Lighting: LED task lighting with dimmable controls for reduced eye strain. Storage Solutions: Boxfile pedestals with high-capacity drawers for secure equipment storage. This solution ensures fire and police dispatchers have a safe, ergonomic, and technologically advanced workspace to manage critical operations efficiently. The Results The project resulted in a combined fire and police control room with an open floor layout: Fire consoles positioned on one side, police consoles on the other. A collocated backup center for redundancy and disaster recovery. Enhanced operator comfort and workflow efficiency for 24/7 emergency response. The center now operates in a future-ready dispatch environment, supporting NG911 standards and improving public safety coordination. Ready to Upgrade Your Dispatch Center? Looking for ergonomic dispatcher consoles for your PSAP or emergency communications center? Sustema designs custom control room furniture that supports 24/7 mission-critical operations. 👉 Contact us today to start building a safer, more efficient dispatch environment.

Screen positioning in a control room will depend on the needs of the workstation and the comfort of the operators who must maintain a high degree of concentration. An improper setup will result in work-related injuries and increased burnout. As a manufacturer of control room furniture, we have seen many successful implementations of multiple monitor layouts adapted to different industries and workflows. We have put together this simple guide you can follow to review your monitor setup. Quick Monitor Tweaks for Your Control Room Workstation: Put priority info front and center.  Make one primary monitor your “home base” at eye level; push secondary/tertiary screens to the sides so your neck and eyes aren’t doing the heavy lifting. Keep screens at arm’s length (~20 in / 50 cm).  This helps prevent leaning and reduces eye strain during long shifts. Set height just below your eye line.  Aim the top of each display at—or slightly below—eye level, with the visual center about ~10° below  horizontal for a neutral neck posture. Tilt like a book.  Angle each monitor so it “faces” you directly, the way you would tilt a book for comfortable reading. Using two rows? Align edges at eye level.  Keep the bottom edge of the top row and the top edge of the bottom row near eye height; lightly angle the upper row downward. Follow natural scan patterns.  Arrange content in an “F” pattern   across screens—most critical at the top-left of the primary, then cascade importance to the right and downward. Minimize window switching.  Use window snap features and virtual desktops  to keep active views visible and cut down on constant app hopping. Standardize layouts across consoles.  Consistent screen arrangements reduce cognitive load between shifts and help operators find information faster. Protect your “20° reach zone.”  Keep keyboard/mouse where your hands naturally rest and move the mouse from the elbow—not the shoulder—to limit strain. Control glare with task lighting.  Light from the sides (not overhead) and avoid reflections on screens to reduce eye fatigue. Give eyes a rhythm: 20–20–20.  Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds; adjust brightness/contrast to match room lighting. Review setups regularly.  Screen positioning should fit each operator’s workflow; poor placement can drive discomfort and burnout—make adjustments part of routine checks. PART 1: Guidelines for monitor setup. Source : Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety. Proper position is determined by two factors, the viewing angle and the viewing distance. The viewing angle is determined by the invisible horizontal line connecting the viewer's eyes and the centre of the object being looked at, which in this case is a monitor. According to researchers, the optimal viewing angle to range from about 15 degrees to almost 30 degrees. The right viewing distance is the one at which the computer operator can easily read the screen without experiencing eyestrain. This is always subjective to the user of the workstation and what is correct can change over time due to age. Generally speaking, an arm’s length is a good estimation which leaves only some minor personal adjustments. PART 2: Adjustments for multiple monitors. Using multiple monitors can increase productivity but it can also increase work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Screen positioning of multiple monitors is important because depending on how the monitors are laid out, you may have to swivel your head left and right or up and down repeatedly. Other adverse effects of a poorly located monitor are eye irritation, blurred vision, dry burning eyes and headaches, collectively called eyestrain. While still following the recommendations for a single monitor, the challenge is reducing head and body twisting and eye travel. First, determine how much you use each monitor.  Do you use one more than the other(s)? If you use all monitors equally: Position the monitors in front of you with the edges touching. Place the monitors at an angle, creating a semi-circle. If you use one monitor more often : Place the monitor you use most directly in front of you as if it were a single monitor. Place the secondary monitor on one side, and at an angle (half of a semi-circle). PART 3: Monitor layouts that we recommend for control room consoles. Dual monitor setups are tricky. Parallel to each other and centered on my desk. Aesthetically pleasing, not the most optimal for productivity or ergonomic. With the bezel in the middle you will spend most of your time with your head turned to the left or right. Dual monitor setup. Even if you position your chair to one side and focus on only one monitor. The second monitor will be off-angle and will become hard to see. The best way to fix this is to place one monitor directly in front of you and the second monitor at an off angle, leaving it for low priority and infrequent applications. While the most important applications are done on the main monitor. By having one monitor be the main focus of your setup, you decrease the neck movement you have to perform every time you switch your focus which will help to reduce neck strain in the long run. Alternatively, it is quite popular to use the second monitor in portrait orientation, however this can be inconvenient because the secondary monitor can force you to move your neck up and down if it is too large. But with a monitor that matches the height of the main monitor it can simply blend into the side and serve as a perfect companion screen. Ideal for reading documentation, opening communication applications, secondary tools for short periods of time and monitoring dashboards. Example of main monitor in the middle of the console. Next is the stack setup . It requires equipment to setup two rows of monitors, and it requires you to look up. That is why the middle of bezels of both monitors must be positioned at eye level, so operators can simply move their eyes up and down instead of moving their neck up and down. This is a good idea if your main display is larger than the second one. Example of a stack setup. A triple setup relies on having a main monitor right in front of you with 2 secondary monitors to the sides. They can be placed horizontally or in portrait orientation. While they can all be the same size, a popular option is to have the main monitor be larger than the secondary ones, for example in EMS control rooms the main monitors are 45-inch monitors and the secondary one’s range between 24 to 27 inch. Example of a triple monitor setup. Want to build a new control room setup? Our Console Survey will help us determine which control room console best suits your needs. Tell us about your space, your current equipment and what you would like to see in your next control room?