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TECHNICAL 14 www.thefis.org AN OFFICE DIVIDED With partitioning likely to be in higher demand owing to social distancing guidelines and changing attitudes, what should be considered when thinking about dividing a space? S UB-DIVISION with partitioning is going to be a solution to support the social distancing needs for businesses looking to return staff to offices and there are some key considerations to be taken into account before work begins. Decisions need to be made in line with understanding of the new occupancy levels and the relationship between people and departments. The questions to consider in this process of cellularisation are: • What are the needs? • What else should be considered? • How is a partition system selected? • How is the installation organised? What are the needs? The needs of the business should be identified based on staff occupancy, so it’s important to establish whether the occupancy will be the same or whether it has reduced since social distancing requirements came into force and indeed how this is likely to change in the future. The departmental and communication needs should then be evaluated- where departments are currently based, and what their needs will be going forward. The people and operations then need to be taken into account: Howmany people need to meet at any one time and howmany single occupancy spaces are needed? For those who don’t feel equipped to carry out the space analysis in house, it’s wise to consult a specialist organisation that is experienced in studying data and analysing results. They will carry out a thorough needs analysis to provide guidance and advice on space planning. What else should be considered? Partition systems come in several options and each is designed to accommodate the individual needs of an organisation and its occupants. The main points to consider are: • Performance • Aesthetics • Ventilation • Lighting • Services • Building regulations • Flexibility • Dilapidations Performance includes fire resistance, reducing sound transmission and privacy, and addressing reverberation in the space which is particularly important with video conferencing. This needs to be balanced with the need for flexibility. Partition systems can be solid, glazed, part-glazed and double-glazed. Blinds or manifestation can be added which can reinforce a corporate identity or add images of outdoor landscapes to the space.