Accent Panel: Used to add visual interest or a newer appearance to older panels.

Access Cover (power): Found on the raceway cover for power panels. These are removed so that a receptacle can be installed.

Acoustical Panel: A systems furniture panel with acoustical properties to absorb sound within the panel structure providing a higher STC rating for the overall workspace.

Adjustable Glides: Support device for leveling or stabilizing furniture on uneven flooring. Also called referred “levelers” or “height adjusters.”

Adjustable Keyboard Pad: Provides for an adjustable, independent platform for a keyboard.

Amperage: The amount of power necessary to run electrical appliances.

Anti-Rebound: This feature ensures that a drawer will stay closed and not roll out of its opening or recoil when it is closed with normal force.

AutoCAD: Computer-Aided Design (CAD) or computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) is the production of drawings, specifications, and other design-related elements using special graphics and computer programs. May be used for creating floor plans and furniture systems layouts.

Architectural Wall (partition wall): Panels, fabric or glass, when installed become a wall from the floor to the ceiling.

Base Cap: A solid wood cap that fits over part of a metal base.

Base Cover: The metal or excluded plastic part that covers the electrical power distribution system at the bottom of a panel system’s workstation or cubicle configuration.

Base Feed Module: A hard wire connection to the floor or wall, providing power systems furniture.

Base Power In-feed: The power source connection from the building’s electrical current to the systems furniture panel.

Back Panel: Slab end vertical panels that help support the work surface, located at each end of a desk.  These are unlike the panels used to construct workstations. Commonly thinner than the panels that are for workstation construction, they are neither acoustical nor tackable, and are only utilized in the support of work surfaces or to create a freestanding desk

Balanced Panel: The practice of placing a common material on two opposite sides of a board to keep the core “in balance”; reducing the chance of warping.

Base Raceway Cover: A single piece cover that conceals power and communication cables.

Beltline Electrical: The placement of electrical distribution and electrical access boxes above the work surface configuration. This improves the functionality and ergonomic comfort of a cubicle or workstation.

Beltway Power: see Beltline Electrical

Beltway Ribbon Connector: To carry power to adjacent beltway raceways with a 90 degree post configuration requires a beltway ribbon connector.

Breakfront Modesty: See Kneewell.

Bridge: A work surface that is perpendicular to the main desk, and usually not quite as deep.  It can be a little lower than the work surface as well.

Bullet Top: Usually used in place of a standard desk in “L” and “U” configurations, a bullet top is essentially a writing table that gets its name from its shape. Viewed from above, it’s shaped like the cross section of a bullet, with the rounded end typically supported by a cylindrical metal post. Bullet tops are also sometimes referred to as an island conference top.

Bow Front Top: Work surface with bow fronts are used to build freestanding desks.

Box Drawer: Typically the top or middle drawer in a pedestal, usually 6″ in height.

Cantilever: A beam, girder, or structural framework that is fixed at one end and is free at the other. A projecting structure, such as a beam, that is supported at one end and carries a load at the other end or along its length.

Cantilever Bracket: The brackets to hang work surfaces and storage pieces from systems furniture. A triangular or “L” shaped bracket.

Carpet Gripper Glides: Used to provide stability to furniture placed on carpet, while at the same time protecting the carpet from damage from furniture legs.

Center Drawer: Also referred to as a pencil drawer. This drawer is mounted beneath the work surface, usually centered between two pedestals.

Cluster: Physical grouping of workstations which share the same panels.

C-Leg: A support leg that allows knee clearance for the user underneath the work surface.

Communication Cabling Access Cover: The Communication Cabling Access Cover is found on the raceway cover for power panels. These are used for the routing of communication cabling in or out of the raceway cover.

Components: Parts and pieces required to assemble workstations, chairs and panels. Also can used in reference to the total order of furniture.

Component Attachment Kit: Provides easy attachment of drawers to the underside of steel work surfaces.

Component Return: Consists of a component work surface, component pedestal(s), and a return modesty panel.

Core: The inner piece of material used in the construction of furniture panels. The core is typically engineered industrial grade particle board, medium density fiberboard (MDF), or sometimes plywood.

Corner Adapter: Using a corner adapter allows use of unusable desk space and turns angled desk area into an efficient workstation. Steel corner adapter slides over desk work surfaces to accommodate a keyboard tray at a central 90°, radius or diagonal corner.

CPU Holder: An accessory piece attached to the underside of a work surface to hold a computer’s CPU and assist in wire management.

Curvilinear Work Surface: A work surface characterized by curved lines.

Creep: The amount which a run of panels will increase in length due to varying configurations and additional bracketry. Although the increment per station may be negligible (as little as 1/4″), the collective effect may cause inaccuracies to critical dimensions (walls, windows, and aisle ways) within the space where stations are installed.

Cubicle: A table or desk that usually has three sides extending above the writing surface to serve as partitions. They are designed for semi-private individual work and to provide for some privacy and noise reduction.

Customer’s Own Material (COM): Term used when an item is being upholstered with a fabric different from the manufacturer of the furniture.

Daisy Chaining: The ability to link the on / off mechanism of several task lights to one switch in order to free up more receptacles.

Dedicated Circuit: A one line circuit that provides exclusive power to sensitive electrical machinery within the panels wiring system.

D-End or “D-end”: A “D” or semi-circular end to a table or desk.

Desk Height Shelves: These are shelves that are panel hung or free standing. Panel hung shelves are attached to hook strips with cantilevers positioned at each end. Freestanding shelves have a “U” shaped support that sits on the desk.

Disassembly:  Dismantling of existing systems furniture, modular workstations, wall paneling and cubicles into its components.

Doghouse: Receptacle, above the floor, connected to the building’s power source.

Double Pedestal Desk: A desk configuration that consists of left and right pedestal files and knee space in the center for the user.

Duplex Outlet: A standard electrical outlet with 2 receptacles.

Drum Base: A large cylindrical base used to support a table or worksurface.

End Caps (End-of-Run Rail): A covering piece attached to the end of the panel when the panel is not attached to another panel or wall.

End of Run Cover: Required at ends of panel runs (except where Panel Support Foot is used).

End Panels: Slab end vertical panels that help support the worksurface, located at each end of a desk.  These are unlike the panels used to construct workstations. Commonly thinner than the panels that are for workstation construction, they are neither acoustical nor tackable, and are only utilized in the support of worksurfaces or to create a freestanding desk.

End Panel Bracket: Used as a support to tie a worksurface to a panel. Changes a free standing end panel to a panel mounted end panel.

End Trim: On a systems furniture panel, it refers to the finished vertical end cap.

Executive “L”: Consisting of two pieces, a single pedestal main desk and a return, with both units being of the same height, usually 29″ or 30″. Return can be on the left or right side.

Executive “U”: A large, U-shaped desk consisting of three pieces: a desk, credenza and connecting bridge.

False Bulkhead: Replaces a pedestal when a return worksurface is specified.

Filler: Covers the exposed edges of panels due to an X, T, or L configuration. Also covers the edge of a panel at the end of a run. In certain installations these covers are only for cosmetic purposes since all panels come complete with trim. In other cases not only must they be specified (color and size) for aesthetics, but for structural purposes as well.

Finish Post Cover: A 90 or 180 degree cap that is required on a panel system when panels meet in a three way connection. The finish post is attached between the connected panels.

Flexible Power Connector: Electrical power lines installed by the manufacturer in power panels. The power lines are flexible and easy to connect to adjoining power panels, providing power throughout the systems furniture.

Flipper Door: The door on an overhead storage unit in a workstation. These doors are typically hinged at the top and lift up either on top of or into the storage unit.

Four-way Connector: The connector used when four panels meet at 90 degree angles. Also referred to as an X-Post.

Full-to-Floor Pedestals: Pedestals that extend from the worksurface to the floor.

Furniture Installers: Furniture expert who is uniformed and has been certified and/or trained to install, assemble, disassemble, reconfigure, relocate or repair all types of furniture.

Furniture Installation: Planning, coordinating and building of all types of office furniture systems by trained furniture installers.

Furniture Reconfiguration: Dismantling existing office furniture into its parts and reassembling the components into new arrangements for changing personnel needs.

Furniture Systems: Modular workstations including panels (walls, partitions or dividers), worksurfaces and storage. Flexible in set up and can be easily reconfigured and/or relocated.

Glide Housing: The height adjustment mechanism that attaches to the glide. Pre-assembled by the manufacture of the panel.

Glides: Small adjustable feet found at the bottom of panels, desks and workstations used for leveling.

Grommet: A plastic covering for an opening primarily in casegood tops for routing wires and cords away from the worksurface.

Grommet Trim Clip: A two-piece, reusable panel fastener.

Half Depth End Panel: Provides knee space for returns, freestanding corner worksurfaces and mid-span support.

Hardwired: The electrical connection of a panel system to the building’s power source. Can be from floor to the base of the panel or from the ceiling to the top of the panel.

Harness: The concealed cables within the system’s power system.

Hinge: Hutch: Raised cabinet (enclosed or open) with shelves resting on a solid base such as a desk or credenza.

Incremental Height Adjustment Table: A table that can be adjusted in increments using a mechanical pin mechanism.

High-Low Transaction End Trim: A trim piece tat fills the space between a high and low panel.

Interface: The points at which the systems electrical power is connected to the building’s power source.

Junction Box (J Box): A box which allows for the transition of cables when they are split and must be joined together.

KD (K/D): See Knockdown

Keyboard Tray: A unit that attaches to the underside of a worksurface to hold a computer keyboard.

Knee Space: The unencumbered area beneath a desk or worksurface that allows for user “legroom”. This is an important measurement. The dimensions determine whether items such as keyboard trays and seating will properly fit.

Kneewell: A panel on the front side of a desk that blocks viewing of the desk chair.

Knee Space: The unencumbered area beneath a desk or worksurface that allows for user “legroom”. This is an important measurement. The dimensions determine whether items such as keyboard trays and seating will properly fit.

Knock Down (K.D.): Refers either to the actual disassembly of office furniture, or to the way the office furniture is shipped. All pieces can be shipped “knocked down”, including seating.

Knockouts: In the base of a systems furniture panel, refers to the hole provided for an electrical or voice-data outlet.

L Base: Used in place of an end panel for free standing furniture.

L Connector: Required when connecting two panels at 90 degree angels.

Load Bar: A bar mounted either to a wall or to a systems furniture panel that accessories are mounted to.

Low Voltage:  An electrical engineering term that broadly identifies safety considerations of an electricity supply system based on the voltage used.  Characterized by carrying a substantial risk of electric shock, but only a minor risk of electric arcs through air.

L-Post: The corner connector used when two panels meet at a 90 degree angle. Also referred to as a 2-way connector.

Laser Level: The laser level is affixed to a tripod, leveled and then spun to illuminate a horizontal plane. The red line that appears sets the height for uniform installation of panel runs.

L-Unit:  Consists of a single pedestal desk with one storage pedestal and a connecting “return,” also with one storage pedestal. An L unit is designated “right” or “left” depending on the placement of the return.

Modesty Panel: The front of a desk that hides the kneehole. Modesty panels may be either 3/4 or a full panel that goes all the way to the floor. Can also be used for freestanding furniture.

Modesty Panel (Half-Modesty Panel): Provides privacy under the table for the seated user. Mounts under the table. . Can also be used for freestanding furniture.

Modular Office Furniture: Office furniture units that can be rearranged or combined in different configurations.

Modular Workstation:  Individual self-contained workspace which may be connected by wall panels or freestanding panels.

Monolithic (monolithic panel): Consisting of or constituting a single unit, formed or composed of material without joints or seams.

Movable Walls (Demountable/Movable Partitions): A wall system that maximizes flexibility and reusability to accommodate frequent and quick relocation work without loss of materials, damage or modification to panels or to adjoining structures such as ceilings, fixed walls and floors. The wall system is modular, allowing the removal of individual panels from any location without disturbing adjoining units and providing interchangeability of panels and door units on the same module.

Noise Reducing Coefficient (NRC): The noise reduction coefficient (commonly abbreviated NRC) is a scalar representation of the amount of sound energy absorbed upon striking a particular surface. An NRC of 0 indicates perfect reflection; an NRC of 1 indicates perfect absorption.

Non-Directional Fabric: A fabric which appears smooth with no visible pattern.

Office Furniture Installation: Planning, coordinating and building of office furniture systems, including cubicles, modular office furniture, workstations and/or case goods by trained office furniture installers.

Office Furniture Installer: Systems furniture expert, who is uniformed and has been certified and/or trained to install, assemble, disassemble, reconfigure, relocate or repair office furniture.

Office Furniture Reconfiguration: Disassembling and reassembling, modifying, systems office furniture for accommodating changing personnel, space and technology needs.

Office Furniture Services: Offered by full-service installation companies including: office furniture consultation, installation, disassembly, reconfiguration, repair, maintenance, refurbishing and relocation.

Office Furniture Systems: Term that encompasses modular workstations which include panels (walls, partitions or dividers), worksurfaces and storage. This furniture type is flexible in its setup and can be easily installed, reconfigured and/or relocated.

Off Modular: The ability for systems furniture components to join into a perpendicular panel at any increment, rather than the ends of the panel only.

Office Panel Systems: Provide the support for the worksurface, house electrical and data cables and enhance the aesthetics of the workspace environment. Office panels also provide visual, acoustical and informational privacy.

Open System: Partitions put together usually in the center of an office space to create a working environment. Typically, it does not have a door or a ceiling.

Overhang: Produced by recessing the modesty panel when the worksurface overhangs the modesty panel. Overhangs vary from 6″ to 11″. Allows the visitor to position a chair close to the desk.

Overhead Storage: Panel or wall supported storage cabinet located within a cubical, above a worksurface.

Pencil Drawer: A small drawer mounted under a worksurface. Meant for storing small items such as pens, paperclips, etc.

Panel: Panels are the first item taken into consideration when planning a systems office, as they determine the space required to fit the floor space requirements. They can be covered with fabric, wood, laminate, or glass.

Panel Alignment Brackets: A top bracket that provides strength to in-line panel runs.

Panel Base Cavity: Area in base of the panel in which power ways pass through.

Panel Creep: When planning multiple workstation clusters for a space, it is the dimension of a panel’s thickness multiplied by how many times it occurs over the length of the space.

Panel Mount: The ability to mount and hang storage units, worksurfaces and accessories to a systems furniture panel.

Panel to Panel Connectors (electrical): The power connectors transfer power between adjacent power panels. Power connectors configurations can be open two-way, open three-way, closed three-way, and four-way; pending the configuration of the power panel system.

Panel to Pedestal Bracket: Used to attach worksurfaces and/or pedestals to panels.

Panel Subassembly: Part of systems furniture. This is just the panel and has not had the end cap, top rail, side rail, raceway, or connecting panels installed or assembled.

Panel Systems Furniture:  Modular furniture consisting of various height panels dividing space and creating privacy in offices. Configured with worksurfaces, storage pieces, paper flow, etc.

Partition: Furniture and partition units define areas and organize the space.

Pedestal Filler Strip: Used at the rear of the pedestal when a back panel or modesty panel is not in use.

Peninsula Top: Also called a P-top, it is a primary worksurface designed with one rounded end to provide a comfortable meeting space for multiple users to gather around.

Power Connectors:  Carry power form Power Rail to Power Rail.

Power Infeed: The electrical connection used to provide systems furniture with the building’s power source.

Power Jumpers:  Carry power from the Power Rail through the raceways of panels that do not need power access and connects with the next Power Connector.

Power Jumpers (Vertical):  A Vertical Power Jumper carries power from the base raceway of a panel to the beltway raceway.

Power Panel: Electrical power lines installed by the manufacturer in a panel.

Power Pole:  A vertical raceway that supplies power and communication cables to the systems furniture. The cables are fed from the ceiling through the Top Feed Module to the systems furniture.

Power Raceway: Provides circuits through a pre-wired raceway on either end of a panel.

Power Rails: An electrical component for distributing power within individual panels.

Power Way: Interconnected electrical cables which distribute power throughout a panel system.

Power Whip: Industry slang for a power source that connects the building’s electricity to the systems furniture or cubicle.

Project Lead: An installation or moving crew field supervisor.

Project Manager:  A professional in the field of project management. Project managers can have the responsibility of the planning, execution, and closing of a project, typically relating to construction industry, architecture, or telecommunications.

P-top: Also called a Peninsula Top, it is a primary worksurface designed with one rounded end to provide a comfortable meeting space for multiple users to gather around.

Quadradplex Outlet: Also know as a quad, it is an electrical outlet with 4 receptacles.

Raceway: The physical part of the panel which provides the conduit for cables and powerways.

Radius Styling: Rounded edges/corners of desks, credenzas, etc.

Raised Access Flooring: This type of floor consists of a gridded metal framework or substructure of adjustable-height supports (called “pedestals”) that provide support for removable (liftable) floor panels, which are usually 2×2 feet in size. Panels may be covered with a variety of flooring finishes to suit the application such as carpet tiles, high-pressure laminates, marble, stone, and antistatic finishes. The space beneath the floor holds cables and HVAC ducts.

Receptacle: The outlets connected to the powerways.  A receptacle with one outlet is a simplex receptacle. A receptacle with two outlets is a duplex receptacle and so on.

Reconfiguration: Dismantling existing office furniture into its parts and reassembling the components into new arrangements for changing personnel needs.

Return: A piece of furniture with a flat top for writing that attaches to a desk (main section) to create an “L” configuration. Most returns are usually 29″ or 30″ in height and may have a pedestal.

Secretarial Desk: An L-shaped desk consisting of a single pedestal main desk with a 29″ or 30″ high worksurface and a return that can be 29″ or 27″ high, the Return can be on left or right side.

Service Modules: Cabinet which is supported with end panels and a back panel, placed above the worksurface of a freestanding item, in order to provide additional storage as well as privacy. Tack boards cab is installed between the worksurface and the cabinet.

Shelf Bracket: A bracket to support a shelf.

Side Hung Supports: Brackets used for corner worksurfaces and primary support for worksurfaces hung from side panels.

Side Rails (Straight Panel):  A bracket that holds two adjoining panels together in a straight line.

Side Rails (Systems Furniture):  A bracket that holds the end panel and end cap together.

Site Inspection: Physical examination of a completed project site to confirm that it meets the standards of the contract. It can also refer to a pre-project site inspection to identify for factors that will affect the future -+project.

Skins: The upholstered portion of a systems furniture panel. Easy to remove and re-upholster to provide an updated look or replace damaged product.

Snap Lines: A temporary mark on the floor (made with chalk or tape) to determine the actual location of the panels.

Sound Transmission Class (STC): A single-number rating of a panel’s ability to resist sound transfer at the frequencies 125-4000 Hz. In general, higher STC rating blocks more noise from transmitting through a partition.

Straight Line Connector: Used for straight panel runs to give more rigidity.

Stanchions: The support column on a worksurface used to up-mount overheads.

Suspended Pedestals: When pedestals only extend three/quarters below the worksurface.

Ready-to-Assemble (RTA): Products built with the intention they can be put together by the end user.

Spine: The common center panel running down the middle of a workstation pod that all perpendicular panels connect into.

Systems Furniture: Also called modular furniture or a furniture system, refers to a type of furniture with component parts.

Systems Office Furniture: Modular workstations which include panels (walls, partitions or dividers), worksurfaces and storage. This furniture type is flexible in its set up and can be easily installed, reconfigured and/or relocated.

T-Bar Ceiling: A metal suspension designed to supporting acoustical ceiling tiles.

Tackboard: A fabric covered tackable surface generally mounted to the panel or wall between the top of a worksurface and the bottom of an overhead cabinet.

Tackable Panel: A systems furniture panel with a built in tackable surface.

Task Lighting: Lighting that is mounted to the face board or overhead cabinet. When installed they are concealed. They come in two kinds, standard intensity and variable intensity.

Teardown: Dismantling of existing systems furniture, modular workstations, wall paneling and cubicles into its parts.

Telephoney: The technology associated with the electronic transmission of voice, fax, or digital information.

Three-way Connector: The connector used when three panels meet at an intersection, forming a “T.” Also referred to as a T-Post.

Tiled Panel: A systems furniture panel with a segmented look housing multiple panel inserts. These inserts can be of varying materials to create different looks or have different functions and can be changed out very easily.

T-Mount Kit: A bracket system that is used to attach panels to one another in a T configuration. Brackets attach to side rails or center panels.

Togglers:  Wall anchors that provide secure holding power for light and medium loads on walls.  Designed for optimum holding in hollow walls, such as drywall and gypsum board, the anchor locks on walls and ceilings.

Top Cap: The finished piece of the top of a workstation post or panel.

Top Feed Module: A vertical raceway that supplies power and communication cables to the systems furniture. The cables are fed from the ceiling through the Top Feed Module to the systems furniture.

Top to Top Brackets: Used for attaching adjacent same height worksurfaces.  Used in conjunction with cantilevers.

Top Trim: The finished piece of the top of a workstation post or panel.

T-Post: The connector used when three panels meet at an intersection, forming a “T.” Also referred to as a 3-way connector.

Transitional Surfaces: Additional surfaces that connect tables together to provide for more workspace. Can be mounted flush with worksurfaces or can have independent height adjustment.

Transitional Surface Adjustment Bracket: Allows for independent height adjustment of transitional surfaces.

Transaction Top: A countertop at a reception or administrative desk at approximately 42 inches above the floor designed for a standing person to conduct a transaction with a seated person.

Tray Drawer: A drawer that is generally 4″ in height.+

Trim Pins:  A two-piece, reusable panel fastener.

Wall Mount: Refers to the installation of systems furniture pieces that are mounted directly to a drywall partition, rather than hung from a furniture panel.

Up-mount: The term used when stanchions are used to mount shelving or overhead storage on top of a worksurface.

Unitized Wall: A wall system that comes preassembled for tilt up installation.

“U” Shaped Workstation: A piece of furniture consisting of a single pedestal desk and a single pedestal credenza connected on one side by a flat top and modesty panel (a bridge).

Valet: A panel that supports garments and shoes.

Vertical Raceway Panel: A panel with an interior vertical cavity to bring power and data above worksurface height.

Walk Through: When a project coordinator is invited on-site to gather detailed information on a client’s furniture installation or relocation needs. This is usually done for submitting a bid or job estimation.

Wall Mount Kit: Hardware used to mount panels directly to permanent walls.

Wall Panel Systems: Provide the support for the worksurface, house electrical and data cables.

Wall Starters: Allows for a panel to be fastened to a reinforced wall at 90 degrees. Provides a starting point for a panel run.

Wall Track: A piece of metal mounted to the wall so that systems furniture, cubicles, and workstations can mount directly to the wall instead of a panel.

Wire Management: Characteristics of a piece of furniture that conceal wires and power cords from view.

Wire Management Connector Kit: Provides horizontal wire management for table to table or straight line and secures tables together.

Wireway: A cut out in top of worksurface that allows user to access power.

Workstation: A self-contained work area usually comprising of a worksurface, free-standing or attached modular wall panels and storage. A table or desk with a three-sided partition around it; usually made for individual work.  They are highly customizable, and are often used to reduce noise and provide privacy to individual employees working in a single room.

Worksurface: The top of the desk. Worksurfaces made of laminate come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Most are rectangular in shape. They can be “L” shaped, concave, convex, “P” shaped, or triangular shaped.

Worksurface (D): A meeting top shaped like the letter D.

Worksurface (P): A meeting top shaped like the letter P.

Worksurface (9): A meeting top shaped like the letter 9 (opposite of a D worksurface).

Worksurface Support Panel: Installed to provide support for panel hung worksurfaces that have an end unsupported by a panel.

Work Wall: In a private office environment, refers to the wall incorporating worksurfaces, storage, power and accessories.

Z-Bracket: Used for connecting a desk height to a machine height worksurface.

X-Post (X-Connector): The connector used when four panels meet at 90 degree angles. Also referred to as a 4-way connector.