AIEL Shop Tips
WORK AREA SETUP
This Will Assist You in Setting
Up a Suitable Work Area or Shop
for Lighting Purposes.
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This guide is written with the idea of starting a shop from scratch in an open area. Adjust this if you have an existing area which is to be modified. If the latter is the case, it is best if you can clear such an area so you may start from scratch as much as possible. This will elimiminate the domino effect of having to move or change existing things in order to fit in something new, which, of course, will require that yet something else will have to be moved first, which requires that... |
THE FOLLOWING MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED
WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE AUTHOR ©
The first consideration is the space you choose in which to work. If it's your own home or workshop, this decision is more personal than if made under an employer. Still, your recommendations should be considered if it is to be you working there. What follows will help you with those recommendations.
Begin by listing on paper or in a computer file the types of work you expect to do and tools/facilities which might be required. Do not include lighting equipment storage - just supplies and parts storage. If you only have a small area available, try to divide it in such a way that equipment won't encroach upon the work area. Being in cramped quarters is frustrating and leads to procrastination of needed maintenance.
Now decide the type and number of benches/work areas, general lighting, and power requirements you'll need; then place them accordingly on a paper diagram, or into a computer layout, if you have a suitable program. Regarding the latter, even a simply "paint" style program will suffice if you don't have an office or home design program. Simply draw rectangles to represent the various areas, benches and storage units. Try to make it to scale, if possible.
You'll want to refer to the other topics in the Shop Tips section to narrow down your exact requirements. If you're building in an open area, consider walling in the shop for privacy considerations. An open work area invites interruptions from fellow employees and customers. A closed area allows for concentration on the task at hand. Be sure to think about work light considerations when placing benches, including any natural light from windows or skylights.
Study the diagram for conflicts or problems regarding bench types, separation of various areas, overhead and side clearances, and traffic considerations. Juggle the items so that they'll fit well with no conflicts, and then decide upon the materials required to construct your work space. Don't forget to peruse surplus and used office companies for suitable shelving, benches, desks, and so on.
If you have an existing space, do the demolition/clearing necessary to begin your new space. Consider floor and wall repairs, and electrical work, as required. If it's a new space, begin preparations to install the electrical, lighting, and benches. Again. consult the other sections of this website for details. Think too about insulation for both heat/cooling considerations as well as sound isolation. Books for most of this type of construction should be available from your local library.
In addition, make space for a safe area. This safe space should be one that can hold breakables during equipment maintenance. These would include lenses and lamps, and other fragile parts. It could be as small as a large drawer or it may be be entire cabinet. Line some or all of this with felt and/or provide soft containers for such parts. If you are to have many items in there from different pieces of equipment, arrange a convenient labelling system so days or weeks later you won't forget to what the parts belong.
If you are to be painting, and this is likely to happen with lighting equipment, set aside an enclosed area or small booth in which to do painting. The enclosure is necessary in order to keep dust from the paint job contained and for fumes safety. Arrange to ventilate this area to the outside, as well.
Now move on to the specific articles listed below to
continue the labour and/or installation of individual
components required to complete the work space project.
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