How To Choose The Right ESD Flooring For Your Business

• What is the most sensitive device you need to protect on your floor?  

Knowing your most sensitive device is how you should be designing your ESD control program.  The more sensitive your devices are, the more protection you need to take.  Component ESD sensitivity can range from as little as 10 volts to more than 5000 volts.  If you are not certain, the ESDA recommends that you protect against 100 volts for the Human Body Model (HBM) and 200 volts for the Charged Device Model (CDM).  This being the case, a Conductive floor is most likely the path you will follow.  

• Are you trying to comply with any specific industry standard?

Most electronics designers & manufacturers want or need to adhere to the ANSI/ESD S20.20 standard and therefore they need to comply with the no greater than 100 volts of charge generation standard. 

• Durability:  What physical demands will be placed on the floor and how long will it last?

Things like foot traffic, forklift use and other factors can reduce the life of your floor.  Select a floor which will hold up to more traffic than you initially anticipate.  

• Does the floor need to be permanent or do you prefer portability?

A permanent floor does not mean the electrical properties will be permanent.  It means that once it is in place, you will not be able to relocate it, if necessary.  If, on the other hand, you may need to expand the existing floor or move it to another location, then you have options for this. 

• Are ergonomics a concern? 

Some floors have more anti-fatiguing properties while others do not. If comfort is a factor, then your options are further limited. The most common type of flooring that is designed to reduce fatigue is ESD flooring.

This field helps keep the floor clean and free from allergens, which can be important if you have asthma or other respiratory issues. Additionally, ESD floors are often more comfortable than other types of floors because they don’t transmit vibrations as well.

• What is the condition of your subfloor?  How about its moisture content?  

Some subfloors lend themselves better than others for installing a new ESD floor.  If chemistries are to be used in the floor such as a conductive epoxy or adhesive, then moisture can have negative effects on both the performance and the life of the floor. 

• Who is going to install the floor?  Are contractors readily available in your area?  

Do they have the proper knowledge of the standards and can they guarantee or certify the electrical properties?  A lot of flooring contractors know nothing about ESD floors.  If you are considering using one, ask them if they know the standards and if they can measure your floors when finished and provide a certification of its compliance. 

• Will we need to shut down our operations to install an ESD floor?

Sometimes the cost of shutting down your operations will be greater than the cost of the floor.  If you want to install an ESD floor without shutting down your operations, then you have options.

• What sort of maintenance will your floor need after installation?  

Maintenance costs are often overlooked and not factored into the initial cost of the floor.  Select a floor which will require the minimal amount of maintenance and retain its electrical properties as well as its appearance. 

• Will our floor ever need to be repaired in the event of a spill or an incident causing damage?

Once you make an investment in an ESD floor, you want to ensure that you maintain the new look as long as possible and more importantly, keep the electrical properties you need in tact. 

• Budget: How much can we afford? 

Cost is always a factor and the ten questions above can all have dollar values placed on them.  Remember, the lowest-cost floor at acquisition is not always the lowest cost over the life of the floor.