Custom Consoles SteelBase Commissioned for Inverness Airport Operations Room

Accompanying CAD image shows the operations room desks, both from the Custom Consoles SteelBase range, commissioned by Osprey Consulting Services Ltd for HIAL.

Custom Consoles announces the completion of SteelBase control desks for the operations room at Inverness Airport. Main control and managers' control desks were commissioned by Osprey Consulting Services Ltd for Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL), which is responsible for the management and operation of 11 regional airports serving some of the nation’s remotest communities.

Built around steel frames with hinged lockable front and rear doors, SteelBase implements a modular concept which gives the option of specifying desks from on a standard set of structural elements. This avoids the potentially high cost and long delivery times associated with individually designed control room furniture.

"SteelBase continues to enjoy success throughout the security and process control industry, especially in the aviation sector," adds Custom Consoles managing director Neil Reed. "Cable management is a key design feature, including a removable worktop section with dual brush strips to form an uninterrupted cable exit for telephones, monitor cables and computer peripherals."

"Integral cableways allow heavy duty wiring to be fully concealed within the desk structure while retaining easy access for routine maintenance or adjustment," details sales manager Gary Fuller. "Cables can be routed laterally across and between bays as well as vertically to floor level. Internal 19-inch racking is available as a standard feature and desktop equipment pods can be specified if required."

The main control desk produced for the Inverness Airport operations room is an eight-bay rectangular inline design spanning a 5.3 metre total width and a 1.2 metre front-to-back depth. Each bay provides ventilated space for integral data processing equipment, protected by a lockable front door. Integrated equipment can also be reached for routine maintenance via rear-facing access ports. Configured for use by three operators, the desk includes touch-panel control pods together with communications modules inset into the worktop. Ample space is also provided for control keyboards. Five monitor display screens are mounted along the rear edge of the desk, each attached to an Ergotron support arm allowing with individually adjustable lateral and vertical viewing angle.

Situated behind the main control desk is a three-bay rectangular inline supervisor's desk fitted with a single touch panel control pod, a communications terminal and Ergotron-mounted video monitor display. Both desks have dark grey front and rear doors and side panels with ash grey laminate worktops and powder coated jet black steel frames.

Custom Consoles’ SteelBase is a high-strength desking system developed to withstand the demands of heavy-industry. Each SteelBase bay includes a sliding shelf which gives easy access to internally stowed PCs. Predrilled monitor arm mounting points are positioned at the rear upper edge of each bay.

Careful attention has been paid to styling with a choice of front, side and desktop finishes. SteelBase desktops are available in a choice of 120 cm (standard) or 100 cm (SteelBase Lite) front-to-back sizes with a choice of hard-wearing Marmoleum or laminate work surfaces. All elements are guaranteed against component failure for five years of normal use.

Inverness Airport (www.invernessairport.co.uk) is one of 11 airports owned and operated by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL), a private limited company wholly owned by Scottish Ministers. The airport is the main gateway for travellers to the Highlands, with a range of scheduled services to airports in the UK and Europe, offering significant international connections.

Osprey CSL (www.ospreycsl.co.uk), a tpgroup company, was founded in 2006 with the purpose of developing a highly credible informed and independent consultancy operating exclusively on civil and military aviation projects. All members of its team have worked in operational or influential stakeholder roles before joining. Osprey CSL's services have been developed to apply across the broad spectrum of challenges met by the aviation market: from full system procurements, airspace management and safety cases through to regulatory support, specialist studies and due diligence.

Custom Consoles Ltd (www.customconsoles.co.uk) is an ISO 9001 certified manufacturer of project-specific and modular broadcast, process-control and security furniture. Its product range includes motorised and fixed-height units plus fan-cooled sound-insulated equipment housings. The company operates from a UK-based production facility equipped with 3D computer-aided-design facilities, computer-controlled cutting machinery and a thermoform press. These resources provide the dual benefits of precise quality control and prompt delivery times, typically 21 days from receipt of order. Custom Consoles' clients include governmental and corporate organisations in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia.