Bondline offer a wide selection of ESD flooring solutions for Electrostatic Protected Areas, including ESD floor tiles and ESD floor matting. We can tailor these to meet any requirement.
Contact us for expert advice and support with an ESD flooring project. Our experienced team can help guide you on the right flooring solution for your application.
ESD flooring provides protection of static sensitive components and devices from electrostatic discharge. Bondline offer a wide range of ESD flooring and ESD floor matting for static control, including the following:
ESD flooring, or conductive flooring, is a robust solution that delivers a much higher level of protection and more consistent, long-term results than anti static flooring. This is because it is actually Earthed and therefore its conductive performance never diminishes. ESD flooring prevents the build-up of static electricity as people walk across the floor by grounding the static charge to Earth.
An ESD floor has a typical grounding resistance of less than 1.0 x 10^(6) ohms. It is designed to prevent, mitigate, dissipate, conduct, remove or ground the body, furniture, moving carts and equipment that conducts static electricity.
An ESD floor is a solid foundation for a comprehensive static control system. Even when areas and people are equipped to handle such static-sensitive components such as micro-chips and integrated circuits, inadvertent contact and damage can occur. ESD flooring can safeguard your entire process.
What Is Anti Static Flooring?
As with ESD flooring, an anti static floor prevents a person from building up a static charge as they walk across the floor so they do not get a shock when they touch something that conducts electricity. The difference between the two is that an anti static floor has a top layer coating that dissipates static across its surface so you never build up enough charge to get a shock.
The term “anti-static” refers to a state in which the generation of static electricity is suppressed during contact and separation with other materials. Anti-static flooring has a very specific electrical resistance range of between 10^(9) and 10^(11). This only means that the floor itself will not generate a static charge. It does not mean that the floor will eliminate static build-up or dissipate static charge that may have already been built up in the body.
This can only be achieved with a conductive (resistance range of between 10⁴ x 10⁶) or a dissipative (10⁷ to 10⁹) floor covering. By grounding the charge, anti-static flooring prevents the ESD from building up and discharging into the environment, so installing anti-static flooring is an essential step in creating a safe environment for employees and visitors to the EPA. The anti-static floor can be static dissipative or electrostatically conductive.
The term anti-static is often misunderstood and misused, 9 times out of 10 when companies are asked for anti-static flooring what the customer actually wants is Electro-Static Dissipative or Conductive Flooring, commonly referred to as ESD flooring.
What Is Static Dissipative Flooring?
Static dissipative flooring is a floor material with a grounding resistance of less than 1 x 10¹² ohm but greater than 1 x 10^(5) ohm, which is also used for the mitigation of electrostatic discharge (ESD) and usually made from a carpet, synthetic rubber or vinyl material.
How Does ESD Flooring Work?
An effective ESD flooring system provides a traceable path to ground and prevents static generation, meaning the floor inhibits electrostatic discharge (ESD) from building on people as they walk.
ESD floor tiles are loaded with millions of small stainless-steel fibres running all the way through the tile to provide electrical conductivity. When the floor becomes electrically charged, these conductive elements conduct static electricity from the surface of the floor through the entire thickness of the tile. The anti static floor is installed over an electrically conductive backing, such as carbon-loaded adhesive or conductive copper foils. The backing layer forms a conductive ground level that combines all the contiguously installed tiles in the room.
The copper grounding strips are connected to either an Earth ground or an electrical outlet. This electrical connection enables static electricity to finish off its circuit and flow safely to Earth.
The static charge generated when operators walk on the ESD floor flows at a controlled rate through the conductive components in the floor, across the backing layer, to the copper strips, and then to ground. Static electricity is drawn downward toward ground where it can no longer pose as a threat.
What Is ESD Flooring Made From?
ESD flooring can come in a variety of materials. The composition of the ESD flooring that you install must be suitable for your requirement. Here are three main materials you can select from for your ESD floor.
Epoxy: ESD epoxy flooring, or resinous flooring, is resistant to chemicals and available in a range of thicknesses. While simple to clean, the topcoat can become easily abraded or scratched.
Rubber: An ESD rubber floor is Earthed via a strip of copper, bonded with a conductive acrylic adhesive. It has a great resistance to chemicals and heat.
Vinyl: Earthed the same way as rubber flooring, ESD vinyl flooring has a great aesthetic appeal. Despite its appearance, its resistance to both chemicals and heat is poor.
ESD Flooring Groups
With reference to the installation systems, static control flooring can be classified into three groups:
Permanently installed ESD floors:
ESD vinyl tiles – Usually Earthed via a strip of copper foil and bonded with conductive acrylic adhesive.
ESD rubber tiles – Usually Earthed via a strip of copper foil and bonded with conductive acrylic adhesive. Excellent heat and chemical resistance.
ESD carpet tiles – Aesthetically attractive, mostly used in offices. However, difficult to reach a good static dissipation.
ESD resinous flooring – (Epoxy, vinyl ester, polyurethane coating) Variable thickness for different traffic condition. It is chemical resistant, easy to clean, but its topcoats may get scratched or abraded.
Periodically applied topical coatings on existing floor surfaces:
Lower material cost, easy to apply.
Difficult to reach a good static dissipation.
Worn away easily and frequent re-coating is required.
ESD mats placed over existing floors:
ESD vinyl floor mats – Vinyl mats are a great cost-effective option for your ESD flooring solution. This matting provides excellent static dissipation.
ESD rubber floor mats – Excellent heat and chemical resistance. Rubber mats remain in its same form and are more stable; its ESD properties cannot change. Generally, rubber matting is more eco-friendly than other matting materials.
What To Consider When Choosing An ESD Floor
1. Consider how large your Electrostatic Protected Area (EPA) is and how large of an area will require ESD flooring or floor mats installed. Will the entire area need an ESD floor or is it only a small section of the area that needs an ESD floor mat (i.e. at a workstation)?
2. Consider what materials you require.There are many types of materials available for ESD floors to make your area ESD safe. The material you choose is dependent on the solution you are looking for for your business. If you would like any help on choosing the most appropriate material for your application, our team can help you. Please give us a call on +44 (0)1793 511000 or email sales@bondline.co.uk.
3.Choose a floor covering suitable for your traffic level(frequency, weight, type of castors). Will there be a lot of heavy equipment being transported across the floor? What type of castors on your equipment (i.e. chairs, benches, trolleys, etc.) will be in contact with the floor? What is the foot traffic like in your area? If there is heavy foot traffic or heavy equipment, you should consider a flooring material that is durable and can withstand these factors.
4. Consider what properties your floor needs. Each type of environment will likely need different requirements. An example of this is cleanrooms and workshops. Take in consideration the sound absorption, anti-fatigue and anti-slip properties.
5. Consider what the risks and requirements are for your specific application.This includes how electrostatic energy is generated in your location, the estimated strength of your average ESD and the potential consequences of electrostatic discharges in your facility.
6. Consider what resistance is required for your area. ESD flooring solutions include conductive and dissipative systems, which offer different ranges of electrical resistance; in general, conductive flooring offers a resistance of up to 1 mega Ω, and static dissipative flooring provides resistance between 1 mega Ω and 100 mega Ω. A higher resistance equals lower conductivity of energy; however, that doesn’t mean that lower resistance is necessarily the better option for ESD floors. In fact, in most “mission-critical” environments like emergency call centres or air traffic control towers, grounding standards recommend static dissipative flooring over conductive flooring options. The right choice for you really depends on your specific needs.
7. Studding your ESD floor mat.We offer the option to customise the stud position of your floor mat. Alternatively, you can also press stud your floor mat with our press studding kit.
Need some guidance?Bondline can help advise you on choosing the most appropriate flooring for your application. Our team can survey your site to identify what type of flooring is required for your area and provide you with our expert advice on the best solution. To get in touch, call us on +44 (0)1793 511000.
How Do I Install An ESD Floor
The installation of an ESD floor can be carried out either by a professional or yourself. Most ESD flooring tiles are quite easy to install. For instance, interlocking floor tiles are designed to easily slot into place and can be lifted out without hassle; a flexible flooring solution for temporary / leased areas.
With the use of some cutting tools, the interlocking tiles can be easily cut to size for your chosen location. However, if you have little time to do this, then our team would be more than happy to help install this for you. We can do this on a day and time that is desirable to you.
To help you install your ESD floor, we have an experienced installation team available in the UK to professionally lay your ESD floor tiles into your facility. To find out more about our complete installation service, please send us an email to sales@bondline.co.uk or call 01793 511000.
Benefits of Installing Your ESD Floor With Bondline
Expert advice and help– Our team will offer their expertise on floor preparation and the most appropriate material to use for your application.
Complete supply, deliver, and install package – From start to finish, we can help you each step of the way.
Highly experienced– We have over 35 years of experience in installing a variety of ESD flooring; from interlocking tiles to raised access floor panels.
Full site survey – Our team will conduct a full inspection of your site / area. From this, we can take measurements and determine the best method and location for the flooring installation.
Excellent communication – Our team will always have a thorough discussion with you to discuss and establish the requirements, what is needed to be done and is expected. We will provide full support in answering any questions you may have regarding the installation.
Many materials to choose from – We offer a wide selection of ESD flooring materials, including rubber and PVC, to suit various applications.
Recommended and experienced fitters – Your installation will be conducted by our recommended fitters with many years of experience of installing ESD floors.
Test certification – You will be provided with a test certification and given annual testing/certification if required.
Guaranteed high quality – We will ensure the flooring is fitted and installed to a high standard, Earthed in accordance with the IEC 61340-5-1 specification and works alongside the customers’ ESD protected area.
Looking to install an ESD floor? Get in touch with us on +44 (0)1793 511000 or email sales@bondline.co.uk
How To Clean ESD Flooring
It is important to have a regular cleaning routine in place to maintain the integrity of your ESD floor. Failure to maintain your ESD floor in accordance with the recommended maintenance and cleaning procedures can have a negative impact on the performance of your flooring. A poorly maintained floor can lessen the ESD protection it provides. This can increase the risk of ESD damage to your static sensitive electrical components.
To safely clean your static dissipative floor, you should choose a cleaning product that contains a neutral PH flooring chemical to avoid adding a positively charged layer over the top of your floor surface. ESD safe cleaners contain an anti-static additive to attract moisture from the atmosphere which, as a result, eradicates static build-up.
There are various cleaning products and sealants available for the safe cleaning of an ESD floor. These include an ESD floor cleaner, ESD floor stripper, ESD floor finish and an ESD floor restorer. Be careful not to use standard off-the-shelf floor cleaning products as these can increase the susceptibility of static build-up.
In addition to using cleaning products, you should also use a static safe vacuum and dustpan and brush to remove any loose debris from the surface of the floor.
There are several ways in which you can prolong the lifespan of your ESD floor or ESD floor matting. These include the following:
1. Regular cleaning and maintenance with the right static control cleaning products
A good and regular cleaning regime using the correct cleaning chemicals will ensure a static free floor, improve the flooring’s lifespan and keep your floor in optimal condition. If you do not clean or maintain your ESD floor, the flooring’s ESD properties could be compromised. This could lead to expensive replacement costs of the damaged components and even the floor itself.
When choosing a cleaning product for your floor, make sure to select a product that has a neutral PH cleaning chemical. We recommend using an ESD safe floor cleaner as well as an antistatic dustpan and broom. Standard household cleaning products must not be used to clean an ESD floor. These contain chemicals that can damage ESD control products and reduce the flooring’s anti-static properties, leading to damage.
2. Wearing ESD protective footwear
Did you know the friction caused by the rubbing of the sole of a shoe and the dust and dirt on the floor will create static?
Certain synthetic or man-made shoe soles can create a lot of static electricity, especially when the weather or room humidity is very dry. To prevent static charge, it is recommended that all employees and visitors to the EPA are provided with ESD protective footwear; either ESD shoes or ESD heel straps.
It is also important to clean the soles of your ESD footwear to remove any dirt that could be transferred to the floor. Dirt can act as a barrier which could prevent people from being grounded and lead to electrostatic discharge.
ESD Flooring Project Management
Flooring in a static controlled environment must be in specification to the IEC 61340-5-1 International Standard. This is to ensure protection of static sensitive components from electrostatic discharge.
Bondline can help support you with your ESD flooring project; whether it’s a new establishment or simply to replace an existing floor. Let us help you, call us on +44 (0)1793 511000 or email sales@bondline.co.uk to enquire.
Protect Static Sensitive Components With ESD Flooring
Let us help you choose an ESD floor for your application
We not only supply superior ESD flooring at competitive prices, we offer the very best in pre-sales and after-sales service including an audit of your site, expert advice, full preparation and installation of the ESD floor, annual testing and calibration and a full cleaning and after care service.
All our ESD floor installations can be quoted as a package tailor-made to your application. We can offer a complete supply, deliver, and install flooring package as well as provide full support with your project. Contact us on +44 (0)1793 511000 or email sales@bondline.co.uk to enquire or for expert advice on choosing the right type of ESD flooring for your area.
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