ESD floor

An ESD floor can be a solution for companies in sensitive industries such as electronics, pharmaceuticals or medical. In such industries, equipment and personnel are likely to be exposed to electrostatic discharges (ESD).

These electrostatic discharges can lead to equipment failure and damage, which can ultimately lead to high costs and unnecessary downtime. One solution to this is to install an ESD floor.

With an ESD floor, you also prevent electrostatic discharges from being transmitted to people. So you create a safe workplace for your staff. Check out the possibilities for a new ESD floor for your company immediately.

What is an ESD floor?

An ESD floor is a special floor covering designed to prevent and control the accumulation of electrostatic charges. The floor consists of several layers, including a conductive or dissipative layer, a grounding system and a protective top layer.

This dissipates the electrostatic charge to the ground and prevents it from building up on the surface of the floor. For example, for cleanrooms, hospitals, laboratories and manufacturing plants, ESD floors can be the ideal solution to create a safe working environment.

In brief:

• Prevent electrostatic discharges with an ESD floor
• ESD floor is suitable for cleanrooms, hospitals, laboratories & manufacturing plants (ATEX zones)
• Create a safe working environment
• Adaptable to specific needs of a sector or company

Characteristics of an ESD floor

Looking at the characteristics of an ESD floor, we see that they excel not only in terms of anti-static properties. Thus, they are also an ideal choice for companies looking for a durable and low-maintenance floor, among other things.

• Prevents electrostatic discharges that can lead to damage to sensitive equipment or even dangerous situations for employees.
• Are made of materials with high resistance to electricity, such as conductive or dissipative materials.
• Provide effective grounding to dissipate electrostatic charge to the ground.
• Are commonly used in electronics and semiconductor industries, laboratories and other sensitive environments where electrical equipment is used.
• Are easy to clean and maintain, promoting hygiene and safety in the work area.
• Can be customized to meet the specific needs of a company or industry.
• Are durable and often last longer than traditional flooring.

Key features of an ESD floor

ESD floors are characterized mainly because of their anti-static properties. However, they are not only for this reason a frequently chosen flooring solution for companies. Therefore, below we will elaborate on the main features of anti-static flooring.

Anti-static properties

The anti-static properties of an ESD floor are essential for preventing electrostatic discharges.

A conductive or dissipative layer in the floor covering dissipates electrostatic charge to the ground, reducing the risk of discharges and damage to equipment.

During the EX zone determination and layout, such needs surface and it is mapped out whether an ESD floor is required.

Grounding Systems

The grounding system of an ESD floor must have sufficient capacity to dissipate the electrostatic charge to the ground.

This should take into account the size of the room and the amount of electronic equipment used in the room.

Sustainability

In terms of durability, you are always in the right place with an ESD floor. After all, ESD floors are made to withstand heavy loads.

Among other things, the floors are resistant to scratches, dents and chemicals, so they last a long time without getting damaged. Add ICM Projects’ liners & create instant order and safety on the shop floor.

Maintainability

In general, ESD floors are easy to maintain to ensure optimal performance. It is mainly important to regularly clean and inspect the floor for any damage to prevent the floor from losing its performance.

What are the benefits of an ESD floor?

The main benefit of an ESD floor is that it increases safety in the workplace. After all, electrostatic discharges can be very dangerous, especially in environments where sensitive electronics are handled. By choosing an ESD floor, you significantly reduce the risk of electrostatic discharges.

Another benefit of an ESD floor is that it extends the life of the electronics present.

Indeed, electrostatic discharges can damage sensitive electronics components, leading to high repair costs and/or equipment replacement. An ESD floor helps prevent these problems.

In addition, an ESD floor is durable and easy to maintain. The floors are resistant to wear, stains and chemicals and have a long life. An added benefit is that ESD floors are easy to clean, ensuring a hygienic work environment.

What must a good ESD floor meet?

There are a number of important things that a good ESD floor must meet. The conditions relate not only to the ESD floor, but also to the surface on which it is placed. Below we will discuss the conditions with you:

• ESD floors should be grounded through electrically conductive layers or copper strips: grounding through electrically conductive layers or copper strips is essential to effectively dissipate electrostatic charges to the ground. The copper strips or electrically conductive layers are placed under the ESD floor to ensure proper grounding.
• Electrically conductive adhesive should be used to install the floor: electrically conductive adhesive ensures that the floor is securely attached and that there is good electrical conduction between the floor and the substrate. In addition, this ensures good grounding of the floor.
• The substrate should be pre-treated with the right primer: using the right primer is important to improve the adhesion of the ESD floor to the substrate. A primer ensures that the ESD floor adheres well to the substrate and that the floor will not loosen or shift.
• The surface on which the floor will be installed must be completely level: a level surface is crucial for proper installation of the ESD floor. If the surface is not flat, the floor will be applied unevenly and may affect the conduction of electrostatic charges.
• The ESD floor must meet the required standards and certifications: there are various standards and certifications for ESD floors that specify the requirements the floor must meet to function as an effective ESD floor. So it is important to check that the ESD floor you want to purchase meets the appropriate standards and certifications to provide optimal protection against electrostatic discharges.

It is very important that an ESD floor is properly installed and that the substrate meets all conditions to provide optimal protection against electrostatic discharges. In addition to these conditions, ATEX guidelines and standards must also be taken into account.

Testing & certification of our ESD floors

ICM Projects’ ESD floors meet the following standards and certifications:

Standard/measurement method	Description
NEN EN 1081	Resilient floor coverings – Determination of electrical resistance.(it must be < 106 Ω for explosive substances(rspg))
NEN EN IEC 61340-5-1	Protection of electronic devices against electrostatic phenomena – General requirements Meets for resistance from floor to ground
NEN EN IEC 61340-4-1	Measurement method for electrical resistance from floor to ground:(Rgp) < 109 Ω
NEN EN IEC 61340-4-5	Measurement method for electrical resistance of for the person charge in Volts (Walking test): < 100 V and the system (floor/shoe/person) to ground: (Rgp) < 109 Ω
NEN EN 1010:2007 + C1 2008	Safety regulations for low-voltage installations At voltages < 500 V, resistance to ground (Rgp) > 5 x 104 Ω

Technical properties of our ESD floors

In terms of technical properties, our ESD floors meet the following:

Features	Standard
Chemical resistance	EN ISO 2812-3
Rigidity	FSC-waarde NTA 7909:2003
Rigidity	NEN 7909:2015 (tribometer)
Firmness: R-value	DIN 51130 & BGR 181
Wear resistance: Taber value	DIN 53754
Wear resistance: BCA test	EN 13892-4
Fire class	NEN EN 13501-1

What types of businesses are ESD floors suitable for?

An ESD floor is especially suitable for companies where electronics are used and/or produced. Think for example of the electronics industry, laboratories, clean rooms, hospitals, aircraft industry and production companies that produce sensitive electronics. Press the link for more information on what exactly ATEX zones are.

But ESD flooring can also be a solution in other environments where electrostatic discharges can be dangerous, such as explosive environments.

A big advantage here is that ESD floors can be fully customized to the specific needs for your company.

What about the ESD floor price?

The price of an ESD floor depends on several factors, such as the surface area and the desired characteristics of the floor. In general, ESD floors are more expensive than regular floors because of the specialized materials and installation techniques required.

Because of the various factors that go into determining the price of an ESD floor, we cannot give a concrete answer about the exact cost. However, we can give you an idea of the average price of an ESD floor:

Surface area of the ESD floor	Average ESD floor price per m2	Average ESD floor price per m2 (including installation)
20-50 m2
51-100 m2
101-150 m2
151-200 m2

ESD floors from ICM Projects

Depending on the specific needs and requirements an ESD floor must meet, the price can vary quite a bit. Therefore, feel free to request a quote from us for your desired ESD floor. We will take into account your specific needs and requirements.

Moreover, we can advise you on which ESD floor best suits your company and help you make an informed choice for the highest explosion safety in the workplace. This will ensure that you purchase the right floor that meets all your requirements.

If you’re ready to perform, you’ve come to the right place at ICM Projects. With our high quality industrial floors you offer your company a good basis for high work performance. Are you ready to perform