Size of desks

[neonetman]

I'm sorry if this is in the wrong forum, however I've been asked to produce guidelines for the size of desk needed for a student in a computer suite. I'm speccing up 600mm wide by 800mm deep, however I'm trying to find current UK guidance to support my design

[3s-gtech]

IME 600mm is too narrow, you need 750m minimum (that's with desktop PCs, full sized keyboards, mice). It's an absolute pig to use otherwise. Depth wise, anything from 600mm up.

[neonetman]

Is there a formal guideline available that anyone knows of?

[elsiegee40]

Is there a formal guideline available that anyone knows of?

 

No, but I found a copy of the old BECTA guidelines for computer suites

 

https://fas-web.sunderland.ac.uk/~wm0lda/Modules/EDT222/Week4/ict_design.pdf

 

Size considerations from page 5

[mikeprice]

remember to include space in front of a keyboard for paper and pen work

 

It also depends (obviously) on what kind of PC you have - using small desktops or all-in-ones could increase the number you can fit in possibly

 

Make sure that the plans and intention for the room are clear - we had one with a computer room for D&T - after asking a few questions we increased the width of the desks to it could be used as a design room with big bits of paper, as well as a computer room - by allowing space to push the desktops back a few extra inches

[Andrew_C]

There is a publication called "The Architects Journal Metric Handbook". See if it is in there. I may have a copy somewhere, I'll look.

[robyholmes]

Can't remember on distance between, but that really depends on the K&M setup you pick. Best measure it and allow some more for future changes. As for depth, we went with 900mm deep kitchen worktop. We couldn't find any suitable legs which allowed you to put a chair in and not hit your legs so I designed some in CAD and got them made by a local company. Mainly out of 30mm tube with some adjustable feet to get it all levelled. PM if you want some more info on the legs. Happy to share the design.

[PotNoodleTech]

There is no real current guidance on this, it's up to you. 600 is too narrow in my opinion 700 would be better. the more the better frankly.

 

At the end of the day it depends on how big your it rooms actually are - most of ours are literally too small for fit more than 32 pcs in so we have to actually squish them in a bit, which is a shame!

[Andrew_C]

"The Architects Journal Metric Handbook".

OK, not specifically computer desks, but "Study bays" or "individual work spaces" should be 800, pref 900 wide for senior pupils.

 

The AJ handbook refers to two standards for school furniture, these seem to mainly deal with heights and depths in relation to smaller kids:-

BS5873: Part 1 1980

BS EN 1729 Table 3

 

 

Please note, my copy is rather dated at 1999!

[mikeprice]

OK, not specifically computer desks, but "Study bays" or "individual work spaces" should be 800, pref 900 wide for senior pupils.

 

The AJ handbook refers to two standards for school furniture, these seem to mainly deal with heights and depths in relation to smaller kids:-

BS5873: Part 1 1980

BS EN 1729 Table 3

 

 

Please note, my copy is rather dated at 1999!

 

So it is about space requirement and it is from 1999

 

so is the title "Space 1999"???

 

(sorry)