Fixed Seating Industry Glossary

Adjustable Height Cylinder – A mechanism that allows the user to adjust the height of the chair to better fit their body type

Anti-Panic Feature – enables a writing surface or seat to safely and easily fold down or flip up in case of an emergency, creating exit space necessary to meet building code

Auto Uplift Seat – anti-panic seat utilizing a spring action to automatically lift the seat when the occupant stands

Caster – a small wheel on a swivel, attached under a chair or table for ease of movement

Chair Base – metal framework that supports a chair seat and back

Continuous Writing Surface – a fixed table utilized as a writing desk and shared by multiple fixed or loose seating positions

End Panel – wood veneer, perforated metal or laminate on a vertical surface beneath each end of table designed to finish off a row of furniture largely for aesthetic purposes.

Fixed Seating – chair frames permanently mounted to floor, wall or riser

Fixed Writing Surface – a table or writing desk that is permanently mounted to the floor, wall or riser

Ganging – optional feature to connect a series of loose chairs through hardware mounted to chair frame

Gas Lift Cylinder – chair mechanism that enables the seated individual to raise or lower the chair height.

Gravity Uplift – a seat designed to automatically lift up using the force of gravity when the occupant stands

Laminate – a durable, decorative surface comprised of layers of thermo-processed acrylic, plastic, wood or other material

Loose Seating – movable chairs (opposite of fixed seating)

Memory Cylinder – chair cylinder that automatically returns seat to a set position after the occupant stands up

Mini Port – outlet located on tabletop surface for access to power only or power and data

Mini Tap – outlet located beneath table top for access to power only or power and data

Modesty Panels – wood veneer, perforated metal or laminate on vertical surface mounted beneath the front of a table and extending the length of the table designed to obscure the mid-section of the seat occupant

Nesting – chairs or tables designed to fit together or within another for easy storage

Pedestal – metal framework attached to floor to support tables or seats on swing-away or fixed-table systems

Position – the space/location that designates the area for one person to occupy while seated

Position Count – the amount of seats installed in a space

Powder Coat – a type of coating that is applied as a free-flowing, dry powder; typically applied electrostatically and then cured under heat to allow it to flow and form a hard finish that is tougher than conventional paint

Seating Capacity – the amount of seats that a customer desires in a space or that can fit into a space

Stack – chair base providing compact storage by placing one chair directly on top of another chair

Swing Away – fixed seating mounted on a horizontal arm that allows the seat to pivot away from the table

Tablet Arm – writing surface designed for use by one person and positioned directly in front of, or at the side of the corresponding seat

Task Chair – chair base designed with a vertical support post from bottom of seat to intersection of multiple horizontal support structure with floor casters

Torsion Spring – a spring that works by torsion or twisting – the amount of force exerted being proportional to the amount it is twisted. When utilized in swing arm seating it ensures the return of the chair to its original resting position

Veneer – a thin covering over another surface, more specifically, a thin layer of wood typically glued to a core panel

Wire Management – a system that enables the use of electrical power and data for computers and other media