Is your office more 80’s Fleet Street than uber chic Google? Are you struggling to fit new personnel into a poorly designed space? If you’re surveying your workspace and finding it doesn’t meet your needs, then rather than go through the stresses and strains of relocating the whole business, why not, first of all, see if the existing space can be remodeled to meet your needs?  Planning an office refurbishment needn’t be daunting. With the right planning, the process can be relatively painless and the long-term benefits will definitely outweigh any short-term disruption. Here’s our essential guide to take you through the process – from inception and planning to completion of the new workspace.

Why Refurbish your Office Space?

Before embarking on any office redesign you should clearly outline your aims and objectives. Refurbishing your office can help you address many needs, including:

• Creating a new reception area, as first impressions definitely do count
• Generating space for additional personnel if your company is growing
• Modernising the workspace to incorporate the latest trends
• Opening up the space to create an open plan layout
• Improving built-in technology 
• Enhancing natural light
• Incorporating biophilic elements such as living walls to improve health and wellbeing
• Remodeling the workspace to include breakout zones and/or meeting rooms
• Reinforcing brand identity and company values
• Improving working conditions for employees by addressing privacy and noise issues 
• Allowing flexible working, through the creation of hot desk zones
• Boosting productivity and creativity by enhancing the working environment

As you can see, choosing the right design for your office refurb can have a dramatic effect on the health and wellbeing of your employees – all of which will translate to improved productivity and less days lost due to illness. It’s also an excellent opportunity to incorporate modern technology such as charging stations, switchable glass partitions, and elements such as smart heating, lighting and air conditioning. 

Key Planning Stages for your Office Refurbishment

All office refurbishments, no matter how large or small, should include the following stages. By following these simple steps, you can ensure the project rolls out smoothly and your newly spruced office is ready to move into – on budget and on schedule.

1. Determine your budget

Once you’ve identified your aims and objectives, it’s time to get down to brass tacks. How much can you spend on your refurbishment project? Deciding how much you can afford will give you an accurate picture of what you can reasonably achieve, so this step is key as it will give you a realistic idea of how much can be done. Just like when you’re buying a house, by listing your key wishlist you can easily see what’s a ‘must have’ and what’s a ‘nice to have’ so that if costs start to rise, you can easily discard the less essential aspects of the new office design. 

As a general rule of thumb, a mid-range refurbishment can range from £40-£70 per square foot, while a high-end project can set you back upwards of £100 per square foot. This is, however, a rough guide, and this is why it’s important to follow step 3 wisely.

2. Put together a project team

Large businesses have internal teams such as Operations and Facilities Management to run office refurbishments. However, most businesses won’t have this luxury, so it’s really important to put together an internal team to oversee the new design. This team should seek the opinions from all departments, to ensure all needs are met, as well as expectations managed. This team will usually liaise with an external design company to implement and oversee the redesign, and this is where step 3 comes in.

3. Appoint a Commercial Refurbishment Company  

Once you’ve outlined your aims and objectives, agreed your overall budget and put together an internal team to oversee the process, it’s time to select an office fit-out company. While it might be tempting to keep the project internal, there are many benefits to using a good design agency, including:

• Creative advice to solve your business needs
• Understanding of the latest office trends, and what will work for your company
• Accessing the best prices from manufacturers
• Being informed of the latest tech available
• Staying compliant with Government health and safety regulations
• Management of contractors
• Helping ensure your project stays on budget and is delivered on time

When selecting an agency, you should definitely do your research. Check their qualifications and experience, read customer testimonials and ask to see examples of their work. Make sure your vision is something they understand, and ideally select an agency that’s worked on something similar in the past, and within your industry sector. It’s also really important to check that previous projects have been delivered on time and on budget, and if challenges have been faced along the way (as can often be the case with any building work) that the company has demonstrated flexibility and communicated well with their clients.

4. Finalise Plans

Once the agency has been selected, designs agreed and budgets finalised, it’s time to sit back and watch the magic happen. Make sure your project team meets regularly with the designers, making sure that everything is proceeding according to plan and if budgets need to be adjusted, then you can work together to agree solutions. One really important aspect to consider is whether you’re going to be working as usual while the refurbishment continues around you – some businesses will be able to pare down the workforce with people working from home, others will have to move around while the work is completed. If you are remaining in situ, then check that the agency works at the weekends and evenings, to minimise disruption.

5. Selecting Office Décor and Furniture

This is the fun part, and where you can get really creative. Work with the agency design team to create the perfect work environment for your employees, one with stimulating design elements, and that incorporates your branding and company values. This isn’t about running to Ikea for desks, there are really so many options, depending of course on your budget. Here are some great ideas for modern design themes we’ve seen in recent years:

• Living walls – these look particularly good in a reception area, and by bringing nature in, you’ll also improve air humidity, improving health and wellbeing.
• Switchable glass – if you’re looking to enhance natural light and an open plan feel but still need privacy, using switchable glass on meeting rooms will maintain light levels, but turn opaque at the flick of a switch.
• Treadmill and standing desks – with fitness being at the top of the agenda for most of us, why not work out while sat at your desk? Standing desks are also great as you not only burn calories while standing, but it’s better for your posture than sitting all day and has also been shown to improve creativity.
• Breakout zones – you may not have room to create slides, gaming zones and barista coffee stations, but creating smaller, breakout zones or ‘nooks’ are great for employees, allowing collaborative work and/or a quiet space for those who need it.

We hope that’s helped you get started on your office refurbishment. If you want further advice then please don’t hesitate to get in touch. At times like these when work might quieten down, spending money on your business might be the last thing on your mind, but why not take the opportunity to get those improvements implemented? That way, when there’s an upswing – and there will be – you’ll be ready to spring straight into action in your lovely refurbished office. For more information on how we can help, contact us on 01256 769343. Alternatively, complete our contact form and one of our experts will be in touch with you.  

When it comes to designing a new office, or renovating an existing commercial premises, it’s really important to think about creating a workspace that fosters productivity and creativity. Gone are the days of closed-off offices and depressing warrens of cubicles. Modern offices tend to be light, open and airy spaces, that are not only a pleasure to work in but also project a professional image to visitors. However, even the most open-plan office will still require private areas. Be that for a boardroom, meeting rooms, chill-out areas or small, collaborative ‘break out’ zones. Indeed, research shows that working in a completely open plan space can actually decrease face to face communication, and lead to staff feeling more withdrawn, so maybe it’s time to reconsider that hip office plan and go for a modern take on a traditional workspace, with clear boundaries that still maintain an open feel.

In order to provide noise-free, private areas, many businesses are now investing in office partitions. These solid structures are the easiest and most cost-effective way to alter an office layout. They can be installed with minimal fuss, avoiding the need for distracting and messy building work and can be tailored to your space. Moreover, they don’t have to be permanent fixtures, allowing companies to organically grow and alter their layout, over time. 

Office partitions come in a wide range of styles, including glass, wood/timber and aluminium. These each bring a very different aesthetic to an office, and each comes with their own functionality and benefits. 

Glass Partitions

This type of office partition is probably the most popular choice for offices and businesses. Glass partition walls convey a sleek and modern look, and a bright, clean image. This modern styling delivers benefits beyond the practical. Glass allows natural light to flood through an office, which is extremely beneficial for the workforce. This improves company morale, promoting health and wellbeing, and the boosted vitamin D levels can reduce the number of sick days among employees. This will mean cost savings for your business; and the savings don’t end here, as there will be less need for artificial light, lowering your energy bills.

Glass partition walls also lend themselves to branding. Indeed, when it comes to the finish on your glass, the choices are endless. You can etch your logo onto the glass, use decal stickers or frosting on the glazing. This will ensure your branding is perfectly positioned to reinforce a professional image, and can really bring a design theme together. 

Another health benefit relates to fire safety in the workplace. Fire rated glass is an essential component for many office buildings, helping them comply with fire regulations. If you’re installing glass partitions, you can contribute to the fire safety of your building by installing fire-rated glass. This glass offers protection from flames, smoke and toxins, giving employees precious time to evacuate in times of emergency. Fire-rated glass is capable of withstanding temperatures above 870°C and typically provides up to 2 hours of protection.  

In terms of aesthetics, you don’t need cumbersome blinds to ensure privacy. You might have seen switchable glass on Channel 4’s Grand Designs. This clever technology, also known as smart glass, allows you to turn glass walls from clear to opaque, at the flick of a switch. This type of glass partition wall is a fantastic option for meeting rooms, allowing instant privacy. 

Finally, when it comes to glass partitions, the appliance of science doesn’t stop at fire safety and visibility, but specialist acoustic laminated glass is also available. This noise-damping glass will help soundproof even the busiest of offices and is especially useful where sales meets creativity.

Wood/timber Partitions

For a more traditional, elegant look that enhances natural warmth, you should look at wooden partition walls. Available not only in solid wood, but also engineered MDF, there are a wide variety of styles, trims and finishes on offer. These partition walls definitely add a touch of class to any office, and can be used to create ambience in another otherwise sterile environment.

When it comes to your office design, there are plenty of wood options on offer, including oak, maple and cherry, to match in with your décor. The great thing about these walls is that not only do they convey a unique look and feel to a workspace, but that their functionality doesn’t stop at breaking up a space. Wood and timber partition walls can be tailored to your specific needs. For example, if natural light is an issue, then glazed sections can be incorporated, allowing light to flow through. They can also be soundproofed to provide up to Rw 40 dB sound reduction – so they’re a great option for commercial spaces and can be customised for an office, school hall or even concert space. 

The benefits don’t stop there; you might be worried about fire safety, given this is wood, right? Well, don’t worry. Modern wood and timber partitions are built with fire safety in mind and a solid wall will provide a fire rating of up to 60 minutes.

So if you’re looking for aesthetic appeal and to create a sense of the dramatic, without losing functionality, then wooden partition walls could be right for your office.

Aluminium Partitions

Aluminium partition walls may not have the aesthetic appeal of glass or the warmth of wood, but for many reasons, these are the practical choice for many office fit-outs. 

These walls are often the most cost-effective partition solution for offices, so if your budget is tight then this could be the best option for your business. Aluminium partition walls are available in solid units, with part or double glazing also an option if you’re looking to maximise natural light.

The reason aluminium is a popular choice for internal construction is down to its unique properties. It’s a very light metal, resistant to corrosion, non-magnetic and durable. Because of its high tensile strength, the walls can be incredibly thin, so this type of partition will take up far less room than their glass or wooden counterpart. Aluminium partition walls are also quick and easy to install, as well as being straightforward to demount and relocate, should your office layout change. They really are a versatile choice, whatever the workspace.

Additional benefits include customisation – just as glass can be embellished, so can aluminium walls be painted or branded using vinyl signage. The metal structures also meet fire regulations, with both solid and glazed options providing a 60 minute fire rating. Finally, as we know, business owners aren’t just looking to divide spaces; they also need to know that the individual spaces can function autonomously from external spaces and corridors, with minimal disruption. Unlike the fire rating, soundproofing supplied by an aluminium partition wall will differ depending on whether it has glazing, with solid walls providing sound reductions of up to 52 dB, and glazed models providing up to 43dB.

Other Creative Options

If you don’t want to fully block out an area with a floor to ceiling partition, there are other options available. These include whiteboard screens, or even magnetic or pin boards for some ‘blue-sky thinking’. We recommend you research Pinterest for some truly creative options – really, anything goes, from shipping pallets and bookshelves to Lego, there are so many choices out there! While not necessarily the professional image required for the majority of office spaces, if you’re a small start-up with a limited budget, this could be just the inspiration you need for the strategic layout you’re after.

So there you have it, everything and more you need to know about successfully dividing up your workspace. Here at Sandhurst Interiors, we have extensive experience of providing office solutions for commercial businesses. We can help maximise the potential of your workspace, drawing on years of experience to make sure all your needs are met – not just in terms of budget and timing, but also with employee health, wellbeing and productivity in mind. For our expert advice, please contact us on 01256 769343 or complete our online contact form and see how we can help with your office fit-out.

In recent years, office styles have definitely undergone something of a renaissance. Dark, soulless warrens of cubicles have given way to bright, open-plan office spaces. Tech giants, in particular, have championed breaking down the barriers of solid walls and enclosed offices, with Google and Facebook, in particular, embracing this new trend and non-hierarchical way of working. This is because there are many disadvantages of working in an enclosed office, including isolation, loneliness, lack of communication and lack of supervision, to name but a few. However, working open plan can also be challenging. In this article, we’ll explore the pros – and the cons – of an open plan office space:

The Advantages of Going Open Plan

1.     Better Employee Relations

When you work in an open-plan office, it’s far easier to regularly interact with your work colleagues. Breaking down the physical walls means that people are far more approachable. The level playing field also means that people are more accessible, and different teams and superior and junior staff are more likely to get to know each other. Fundamentally, we’re all social beings and getting to know work colleagues definitely improves the social atmosphere in an office. It also makes it far easier for new people to integrate into teams, and fosters good working relationships.  

2.     Increased collaboration 

An open-plan layout not only benefits the social climate in an office, but it also promotes collaboration, as staff are far more likely to share ideas. As Steve Jobs himself quoted “Innovation comes from people meeting up in the hallways”. Being able to spin around in your seat and have some non-judgemental ‘blue sky thinking’ is far more conducive to innovation than the pressures of a formal meeting in a boardroom. It’s also great for learning, with people able to get up to speed on new projects far faster than would be possible in separate offices.  

3.     Health benefits

In terms of health and wellbeing, there are multiple benefits associated with working in an open-plan office. Not only will employees be happier in the workplace, with the enhanced social atmosphere and collaborative environment, but this layout also encourages employees to move around more and not to remain sedentary and isolated at their desks. A study published in 2018 demonstrated that workers were 20% more physically active in an open plan space than those working in cubicles. Another important health benefit is that taking down the walls lets in the light. Literally. No more dark, secluded offices. Working in a good combination of natural and artificial light is known to lift the spirits, improve health and productivity and can help reduce levels of sickness.  

4.     Budget saving

An open-plan office configuration can convey considerable cost benefits to a business. In terms of employee health and happiness, by reducing the sickness rate, efficiencies and outputs are greatly improved. Another benefit is that by allowing more natural light to flood into the office, energy costs will be lower. Whether you’re reconfiguring an existing office, or creating a brand new business space, setting up an open plan layout is far less expensive in terms of construction that individual offices. Another important factor is that an open-plan floorspace will accommodate a greater number of staff, as well as reduce the need for individual office equipment and office supplies.  

5.     Greater flexibility

Open-plan spaces are far easier to reconfigure than a traditional office layout. This allows companies to be more dynamic. In a growing company, this means that staff numbers can easily be increased, but also in a business undergoing organisational restructuring, any movements of personnel will be straightforward to achieve. It’s also far easier to adopt hot desking in a more fluid work environment.

…and The Disadvantages

Bringing people together in an open-plan office definitely brings a great deal of benefits to any business, but it can have several drawbacks. These include:

  1.     Greater distractions

Open-plan spaces without even low partition walls can be loud and chaotic, and these distractions can make it difficult to focus. This is particularly difficult in call centres or if you’re close to the sales division, as it’s difficult to be creative when all you can hear is other people’s phone calls.   

2.     Increased noise leads to isolation

In a loud, open-plan office, many workers use headphones to help them cope with the ambient noise levels. This is actually quite isolating and negates the benefits of being open plan, where people collaborate and engage more with each other.  

3.     Transmission of illness

Taking down the walls definitely breaks down barriers, but the lack of physical divides and increased social interaction can also have a downside to your health. Working in an open-plan space is usually associated with increased health and wellbeing, so this may come as a surprise, but working open plan can also increase transmission of illnesses such as colds and the flu. Make sure you have hand gel on hand, to minimise the risks of contracting these viral infections.   

4.     Lack of leadership

One of the reasons for going open plan might well be to break down hierarchy, but this can have a rebound effect when it comes to effective leadership. Being open plan definitely promotes a more cohesive workforce, but it can lead to issues with chain of command. It’s therefore important to ensure that the office layout still defines who has superiority.  

5.     Loss of privacy

The majority of workers embrace working open plan, but there will always be some that need privacy and just want to get on with their work. Also, sometimes work is sensitive, and being able to see everybody else’s screen is a hinderance.   

In order to counteract the disadvantages, many forward-thinking businesses are now mixing their office spaces, incorporating large, light open-plan spaces with small break-out zones. These break-out (or focus) zones allow individuals to get away from their usual workstation, and provide a well needed space for them to work in a more solitary manner, or just to unwind and re-energise. Rather than sit in a stuffy boardroom for a meeting, these creative spaces are also excellent for smaller working groups and really help improve productivity. Companies can get really innovative with these spaces, depending on the budget. It’s actually a good idea to provide a strong contrast to the normal work area, to allow employees to mentally – as well as physically – step away from their desks.   

Another option for businesses to provide a degree of separation without encroaching on the open-plan design, is to install glass partition walls around any meeting rooms. This will ensure that light still floods the space, but also give a degree of privacy. If confidentiality is an issue, then smart glass technology can be incorporated, turning a clear glass wall opaque at the flick of a switch.  

If you’re looking to reconfigure your office or to create a new commercial space, then please don’t hesitate get in touch. For over 30 years, we’ve been providing businesses with solutions to their commercial office requirements and pride ourselves on remaining at the cutting edge of design innovation. Contact us on 01256 769343 and see how we can help you create the perfect collaborative, open-plan workspace. 

Noise pollution isn’t just a nuisance, or a minor distraction in a home or office. It’s well known that being exposed to loud or prolonged noise is a leading cause of stress and mental health issues. As sound levels reach unacceptable levels, we experience a surge of adrenaline and a rise in blood pressure. This can lead to a range of medical complications, including hypertension and cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, tinnitus and sleep disturbance. 

If you’re renovating a domestic or commercial property and are located in an area with high environmental noise – from traffic or a railway line, or an airport, for example – then incorporating the best sound protection should be one of your top priorities. In this scenario, normal double- or even triple-glazing just isn’t enough. To help protect those living or working within the premises, you should incorporate acoustic glass.

How Loud is too Loud?

In order to gauge what represents a dangerous noise level, you need to understand how sound is measured in the first place. Essentially, sound is measured in decibels. This can range from 0 dB – total silence – up to an ear splitting 180 dB – the sound of a gunshot.

When it comes to dangerous sound levels, this doesn’t just necessarily depend on the decibel level, but also the exposure time. Sound levels of above 85 decibels (dB) are considered to be harmful to human ears, and an 8-hour exposure can lead to permanent hearing loss. Noise levels of 120 dB – the equivalent of a plane taking off – can lead to hearing loss in as little as 30 seconds. Given that traffic noise, the main noise pollutant for the majority of commercial buildings, can reach 70-80 dB, it’s easy to see why it’s important to control unwanted noise permeating into your commercial or domestic premises.

What is Acoustic Glass? 

Acoustic glass is laminated glass that’s specifically designed to reduce sound intrusion. Resin-based plastic, polyvinyl butyral (PVB) is sandwiched between the laminates, doubling their strength and sound insulating properties. The acoustic glass essentially reduces the sound wave’s energy, and significant noise reductions can be achieved.

Acoustic glass comes in a wide range of thicknesses, depending on the amount of sound proofing required. Not only is there specialist acoustic glass for external windows, but acoustic glass can also be utilised for internal glass partition walls, providing fantastic sound proofing. This ensures privacy in individual offices, boardrooms and meeting rooms, and also minimises disturbance in outlying corridors and open plan spaces.

How much Noise Reduction can be Achieved?

Acoustic glass provides incredibly powerful noise reduction. In order to understand how significant this reduction can be, you need to know how the decibel scale works. Basically, the decibel scale is logarithmic, so every 3dB increase is a doubling of sound intensity, and a 10 dB increase represents a sound that’s perceived to be twice as loud. 

The sound reduction properties of acoustic glass are measured using a sound reduction index, or R value. The higher the index, the greater the reduction. Acoustic glass with an R value of 30 will reduce the noise level by 30 dB, while really good acoustic glass will have an R value of greater than 50. This could reduce excessive motorway noise levels of 80+ dB to a far more comfortable 30 dB, or a barking dog from an annoying 70 dB to a far more manageable 20 dB (to give you an idea of how much the noise can be reduced, this takes the sound down to that of a ticking watch!)

However, not all acoustic glass is the same. It’s absorption properties will depend on a variety of parameters, including how thick the glass is, whether the window is double- or triple-glazed and the size of the window (larger windows will obviously let in more noise).

Glass is only Part of the Solution

It’s really important to understand that installing acoustic glass is only part of the solution. In order to make sure the glass achieves its potential, all air gaps must be sealed. So the glazing must be mounted in a well-insulated frame. In addition, in larger construction projects, sound proofing using acoustic glass should be considered as part of the sound integrity of the whole structure – complementing the properties of all building materials and interior furnishings. This includes external building fabrics, and internal structures such as ceilings, flooring, air conditioning ducts, interior wall construction and all soft furnishings. This is where a multi-disciplinary team of architects, engineers, builders and designers can all come together to ensure a building has the optimal acoustic environment. 

Other Benefits of Acoustic Glass

Noise damping is only one of the ways in which acoustic glass can improve your living or working environment. The specialist glazing also conveys a number of other benefits, including:

Safety

Laminated acoustic glass provides a superior safety profile, compared with both standard and tempered glass. As acoustic glass contains PVB, if it breaks, the glass shatters into small pieces, rather than breaking into larger dangerous shards. For this reason, it’s also really popular with car manufacturers. In fact, this exact property is how laminated glass was discovered in the first place. In 1903, the French chemist Edouard Benedictus accidentally dropped a flask coated in the plastic cellulose nitrate. He noted that the glass didn’t break, it shattered; this led to a patent being filed in 1909 and the rest, as they say, is history.

Health

Obviously, we’ve covered how acoustic glass dampens nerve-shattering decibel levels, protecting our hearing and preventing any subsequent medical issues. However, as laminated acoustic glass can also block 99% of ultraviolet light transmission, acoustic glass also offers protection from harmful sun exposure.

Security

Laminated glass can be constructed in all manner of thicknesses and in multiple layers. This is especially useful from a security standpoint for protecting buildings and cars. Specially toughened laminated glass is used by security services and the armed forces, for bullet-proofing vehicles.

So there you have it, everything and more you need to know about acoustic glass and the many benefits it can lend to buildings and automobiles. If you’re looking for solutions to your commercial refurbishment needs, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here at Sandhurst Interiors. We work across a wide range of projects – from a single office to whole buildings and have experience in both the public and private sectors. We’re not just about the internal furnishings, we can also help address environmental constraints and help ensure your building renovation or improvement meets your needs for many years to come. 

 

When it comes to how your business is perceived by potential customers and investors, first impressions definitely count. Research shows that people make a first impression of others within a tenth of a second, which is basically the blink of an eye. Similarly, research conducted by Google shows that websites are judged within 50 milliseconds, so when it comes to the entrance to your office, you don’t get a second chance to make that first impression. 

 

When it comes to office design and renovation, all too often companies with limited budgets focus solely on workspace and workstation layout, neglecting their commercial reception area until the last minute, or when funds allow. However, the reception is an incredibly important space. It’s where you set out your brand, and no matter what type of business you run, it’s imperative that it’s inviting and professional and projects a positive image. Here are our tips for ensuring your reception is on brand, inviting and projects a positive first impression:

 

1. Prominent Branding

 

The chances are clients will spend a good few minutes at least in your reception area, so this is where you need to firmly establish your brand. Ensure your company logo is prominently displayed, ideally on the reception desk and on a well-lit wall. You can choose higher end glass or acrylic branded signs or go for the more cost-effective vinyl signage, which can be equally as effective if displayed correctly. Additionally, think about your brand colours and use the colour palette in your choice of soft furnishings, furnishings and artwork, to reinforce your brand. Even subliminally, this method of staying on brand is really effective and demonstrates an attention to detail that will really impress your visitors.

 

2. Showcase your Products

 

The reception is a great space for showcasing your products and the services you have to offer, so don’t miss the opportunity to display printed items such as company brochures, magazines and press releases. You can even show off examples of your work in display cabinets or on flat-screen TVs, depending on the type of business you work in and your budget.  

 

3. Pleasant Lighting

 

There’s nothing worse than a dark, dismal office. None of us want to work in one, so why make your visitors sit in a dimly lit space? Equally, harsh lighting and old-fashioned strip lighting is really harsh and uncomfortable on the eyes. Instead, install soft, warm LED lighting and focus on lights around the reception desk, which will also help to draw your guests in. You can also use halo lighting – recessed downlights – around and behind your company logo for a more dramatic effect and to enhance the ambience of your reception area. If your reception area is small, you can also use glass partition walls to open up space.

 

4. A Good Reception Desk

 

When purchasing your reception desk, think about how it will be used and where best to place it. The office needs to flow, and visitors need to clearly see their way through to where they need to go. Correct placement of lighting around the reception desk will help, as well as adequate signage within the general area. Make sure the desk itself is a good height and the correct size for the number of receptionists and footfall you expect.

 

5. Clean and Uncluttered

 

This ties in with the professional image you want to portray. Make sure your reception area is regularly cleaned, and any used mugs, cups and litter are tidied away in well-placed bins. Have an umbrella stand and coat rack on hand for inclement days, and install a good entrance mat if people are coming in straight from the street. Even dark floor tiles will show the mud, so a small investment here will really make a difference to the look and feel of your office. 

 

6. Furniture and furnishings

 

As well as the reception desk itself and the branding, you’ll need to consider the space and work out how and where to place any seating and tables. Hard edges may look sleek, but ensure you have some nice soft furnishings as well, to ensure your visitors’ comfort. If you have a large reception area, or share reception with other businesses, then privacy booths are another nice touch so people can have conversations undisturbed, and find peace and quiet if they need to work.

 

7. Add Some Greenery

 

Health and wellbeing are at the top of all forward-thinking business owners, and what better way to do this than bring some soothing elements from nature into your office space? In your reception area, this can be as simple as a few potted plants or fresh flower arrangements. 

 

But if you have the space, and the budget, then a living wall is a fantastic and dramatic way to add soothing elements to an urban environment. A living wall is essentially a vertical garden that can be attached to an internal office wall. These walls are self-sufficient as the plants are rooted in a growing medium and have built-in irrigation systems. Not only beautiful to look at, the plants help regulate air purity and humidity, so will create a lovely environment for visitors to experience while they wait.

 

8. Think Refreshments

 

Another nice touch for visitors is providing them with a refreshment area. A water fountain and tea and coffee making facilities will make your visitors feel more comfortable, especially if they might have a longer wait. Just see point 4 above and make sure the area is regularly cleaned.

 

9. Power Up

 

Yes, it’s great to have a water fountain and tea and coffee machines if the space allows, but if you want to make your visitors truly comfortable in today’s techno era then think about installing charging stations. This small upgrade will elevate your reception area from average to impressive, and we guarantee visitors will be eternally grateful to be able to charge their phone or laptop while waiting for a meeting. You needn’t just install plug points, you can also invest in wireless charging tables for your seating area, these look sleek and can charge multiple devices simultaneously.

 

So as you can see, with some forward planning, even the smallest of spaces can be converted into a well-functioning and impressive reception area. If you need help with the design or installation of your reception, then our team of experts are on hand to guide you to the best decisions for your business. Call us on 01256 769343 to discuss your design requirements and see how we can help deliver the reception area you need. 

 

Fires can break out and spread incredibly quickly, especially in offices where there’s a wealth of electrical equipment and the potential for overloading circuits, not to mention unattended kitchen facilities and combustible packaging materials. When we think of fire safety in the workplace, we tend to focus on trip hazards and medical equipment, but just as in school – where fire drills were a regular occurrence – fire safety in the workplace is also of paramount importance. 

Under UK guidelines, every business, no matter how big or small, needs a fire safety plan. So if you’re a business owner – be that of a small estate agency or a large warehouse facility – then you’ll need to ensure you have a plan in place and your workplace meets the safety standards outlined in the Government’s Fire Safety Order of 2005. 

When it comes to fire safety, you can never be too prepared. In a worst-case scenario where a fire does break out, you’ll want to be sure you’ve done everything possible to protect the safety of your employees. Indeed, where fire safety guidelines aren’t followed, business owners could face a fine or even a custodial sentence, so it’s really important to make sure you’ve followed the rules. 

If you’re creating your fire safety strategy, or just looking to review and refresh the procedures you already have in place, then follow this checklist to ensure the safety of your employees and integrity of your business premises: 

Step 1: Nominate a fire safety officer

The first step to a robust safety plan is to nominate a fire safety officer. This can be the employer, business owner, landlord, an employee or a member of staff involved with building control, such as a facilities manager. 

The fire safety officer will be responsible for undertaking the following actions:

1. Carry out a fire risk assessment, and perform regular reviews.
2. Notify staff of any risks identified.
3. Put in place any necessary fire safety measures.
4. Create an emergency plan.
5. Ensure all staff are aware of the fire safety procedures and provide any necessary training.

Step 2: Undertake the fire risk assessment

The first duty of the appointed fire safety officer is to undertake a fire risk assessment, identifying and where possible mitigating risks to personnel. If you’re unsure of how to perform the assessment, then your local fire service can inspect your premises and notify you of any actions you need to take.

When performing a fire risk assessment, the following procedures should be followed:

1. Identify all fire hazards.
2. Establish whether any specific people are at risk.
3. Evaluate the findings and reduce or remove the risks.
4. Record the findings, prepare a fire safety plan. 
5. Provide any necessary training.
6. Regularly review the fire risk assessment. 

It’s important to note that if your business employs more than five people, the assessment will need to be kept as a written record. 

Step 3: Draw up a fire safety plan

As a result of a good risk assessment, a fire safety plan will be drawn up. This will include an evacuation plan, explaining what to do in the event of a fire. Employees will need to be notified of the escape routes, as well as the muster point for any evacuation. This meeting point must be far enough away from the building to keep employees safe from fire and fumes. 

The fire safety plan will also detail fire-fighting equipment held on the premises. This equipment must be regularly checked and training given to other fire wardens. A variety of equipment will need to be put in place, depending on the type of building you’re in and the products that it contains. To ensure your office is fire safe, you’ll need to consider:

• A fire alarm (some are linked to the fire brigade)
• Smoke or heat detectors 
• A sprinkler system (although usually installed during construction, retrofits can be done inexpensively)
• Fire extinguishers – water extinguishers for organic fires (arising from substances such as wood); powder extinguishers for liquid fires and carbon dioxide extinguishers for electrical fires
• Fire blankets

In addition, emergency fire doors should be installed, along with adequate signage. In the event of electrical failure, emergency lighting will help guide staff to exits, but in smaller offices you may just need to consider glow in the dark exit signs. 

In terms of fire safety drills, you should perform at least one evacuation drill per year. All new staff should also be informed of the fire safety procedure as part of their induction. 

Step 4: Mitigate any fire risks 

A good fire safety plan will include emergency exit routes, ensuring the correct fire detection and fire-fighting equipment are in place and reducing any fire risks, as well as dissemination of the correct procedures to other staff members. 

Hopefully, these procedures will never have to be put into place. In order to help minimise the risk of a fire breaking out, there are a few housekeeping rules you can follow to help keep your workplace safe:

1. Make sure all escape routes are free of obstruction.
2. Regularly empty the bins – ensure there’s no build-up of flammable rubbish.
3. Make sure portable heaters can’t be knocked over.
4. Don’t overload electrical circuits with multiple adapters. 
5. Turn off all electrical equipment at the end of the working day.
6. Inspect electrical cords and replace any that are damaged. 
7. Ensure there’s no smoking in your office, just in designated outdoor areas.
8. Store chemicals in a safe place, away from potential friction sparks.
9. Ensure any machinery and office equipment are regularly serviced.
10. Never block early detection systems such as smoke detectors or fire protection systems such as sprinklers.

When planning an office renovation, it’s important to consider all of these elements of fire safety. Here at Sandhurst Interiors, we understand building control and the safety standards you’ll have to meet, so can advise you on how you can achieve a beautiful functional workspace, while ensuring you only use the latest and best innovations in fire safety products. As modern design moves away from dark office buildings and enclosed workplaces to open plan spaces that maximise natural light, one such product that is proving incredibly popular is fire-resistant glazing or fire-rated glass. This product can be installed as doors, wall partitions and roof glazing, so the options are endless and will help brighten up even the darkest of workspaces. Contact us today on 01256 769343 and see how we can help you achieve a stylish office space, while ensuring you comply with health and safety standards and keep your place of business fire safe.