Office Desks Height Adjustability

Up until about 10 years ago most desk topcrank handle version above, but instead uses an
heights were fixed at around 72cm from theelectric motor to turn the drive shaft. This is the
ground.ultimate in desk height adjustment as it provides
There were some manufacturers who offeredinstant adjustability at the press of a button.Â
height and tilt adjustable desks, but these wereThis type of mechanism is ideal for users who
mainly for specialist requirements such aswant to adjust their desks many times a day, or
designers and draftsmen.for areas where the desk is shared with
Nowadays however most ranges of desks, apartwheelchair users. This is the most expensive
from some of the very basic forms of budgetoption, but it does provide the most flexibility and
desks, offer various methods of adjusting theis very user friendly.
height of the desk.All of the above options are built into the desk at
The first and simplest form, usually found as anthe factory, but should you wish to provide some
inexpensive option on steel framed desks, is thedegree of height adjustability for one or two of
telescopic frame, where the lower section of theyour existing desks, then this can usually be
leg frame fits inside the top section, and is held inaccommodated by substituting your existing desk
the desired position by locking screws or even aframe for a set of hydraulic telescopic tubular legs
sprung lug.which allow the desk height to be set at between
This method of height adjustment is designed to65 and 85 cm by a single user.
be set when the desk is assembled for the firstMost manufacturers of office furniture are
time, or at a later date if the desk is reassembled.available to supply these legs at a very reasonable
The adjustment cannot really be made by thecost
user and usually requires dismantling the desk.ÂAs more and more customers are requesting
It is a low cost option however, and canheight adjustable desks, most manufacturers are
accommodate very tall or very short member ofworking on designing this feature into their desk
staff, on a more permanent basis. It alsoranges, in a more economical and cost effective
enables the employer to meet his responsibilitiesway. In the next decade it is anticipated that
with regard to the Disabilities Discrimination Act atmost desk shapes and styles will be offered with
a relatively small costsome form of height adjustability as standard.Â
The second option is a mechanical desk top liftAlready in some European Countries all new desks
mechanism, either worm screw or scissor jack,are supplied with height adjustability as standard. It
operating by a crank handle or lever. Thiswill not be long before UK manufacturers follow
enables the user of the desk to adjust the heightsuit in order to compete in the European and their
very easily and as option as required. Typicallyown home markets.
these desks can accommodate sitting or standingThere are already directives in place which put a
working heights and can be adjusted many timesresponsibility on the employer to provide the
each day, making it ideal of use in areas whereoption of height adjustable desks for any
desks are shared. Some of these desks evenprospective employee, whether or not they are
have a separate crank handle to alter the angle ofdisables, and a prudent and considerate employer
the desk, which is ideal for designers andwould already be thinking about these issues,
architects.without having to be reminded by Health and
Cost for this option is considerably higher that aSafety.
standard desk, but the additional flexibility of theCopyright 2003 - 2008 CHWorkspace. All rights
system makes it more than worthwhilereserved.
The third method uses similar mechanics to the