How to Design a PSAP to Maximize Dispatch Team Space

Project Planning Library

You just found out your dispatch center is getting a new building, and you can't wait for the architects to finish the building design so you can start planning your new dispatch furniture layout. Not only can you not wait, you shouldn't wait! Here's why.

Designing your new PSAP

When new construction is underway, an architect and/or project consultant will almost always be involved.

Often the dispatch room is the largest room in the building. For that reason, it is often changed to accommodate the surrounding rooms and offices.

The real challenge with space planning this way is that communication team space can end up oddly shaped or smaller than expected, which results in cramped quarters, little room to grow, and inefficient walking space between dispatcher positions.

There are two approaches to take when you're getting a new dispatch room.

You can wait for the architect to finish the building design and tell you the room you have for the dispatch center, and you can plan using those restraints.
Another approach is to be proactive. Design the dispatch center floor plan that works best for your workflow and equipment needs, then present that to the architect as the floor plan you need to fit into the building.

The second approach is much better for getting the dispatch center design of your dreams. And, it may surprise you to know, most architects appreciate the customer buy-in and guidance.

Working with an architect

There are many advantages to working with an architect. In the world of public safety, there are architects and consultants who specialize in the unique needs of public safety answering points:

Power requirements, including UL	Raised flooring and raised platforms	Electrostatic-free flooring
Server rooms	Locker rooms	Administration areas
Dimmable room lighting	Acoustics	Protective wall, window treatments

In addition, architects and their teams add value by preparing and providing:

Feasibility studies
Infrastructure
Schematic design
Design development
Project management
Construction documents and administration
Bidding and negotiation
Recommendations for reputable service and product providers

While an architect and consultant firm will design a building from the ground up, your agency will benefit by providing examples of an ideal 911 dispatch center layout, early in the process.

Getting help from space planning experts

You can enlist console workstation manufacturers to help you long before the architect generates their first interior drawing, and their service is at no additional charge to you.

Console workstation manufacturers like industry-leading Watson Consoles have space planning and design teams that provide suggestions for efficient traffic patterns, convenient placement of shared resources, and effective configurations for blended teams. These factors can then be supported by the architects work on the interior room segmentation.

Get a head start on your PSAP design. Talk to Watson Consoles designers today: Contact Us

Watson Consoles dispatch center layout Summit floorplan

Design your communication center floor plan early

The number of positions your team will need is probably the easiest thing to determine. In addition to that, consider the space you are in now. Questions that will inform the development of your dream dispatch center design might include these:

What is the best thing about our existing center?
What is our least favorite thing?
- What can we do differently this time?
Could we work better together if the space planning changes?
Will operators be more comfortable with a different workstations layout?
Will teams benefit from more shared resource storage like file cabinets and bookshelves?
Does the staff require lockable personal storage or lockers? At the desk or in a different area?
Do we expect significant growth in the next 5-10 years?

It is never too early to get a floor plan and budget quote for new dispatch consoles. It gets the design process out of the way, and it helps you with funding requests as they come up. Even if you don't get the funding, you can file away the quote/drawing and have it updated when the next budget talks begin.

If you’re still not sure where to start, the Watson Consoles team can help. With decades of experience addressing the unique needs of dispatch centers, we know what it takes to create a space that will stand the test of time - from layout and design to console features tailored to your needs. Contact us today to learn more about the Watson Advantage.

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