Anti-static flooring recommendations

[Anette von der Handt]

Hi all,

the original plan for polished concrete for my new lab fell through (original floor was in too poor shape) and we are back to VCT tiles or other floor options.

We are now looking at anti-static floor tiles or rubber floors. Obviously there are many flooring types available in the realm of anti-static, static dissipative and static conductive floors and some may even have some effect on vibration (?).

Does anyone have an opinion or can recommend a product or type of product?

Thanks!

Anette

[Probeman]

Hi all,

the original plan for polished concrete for my new lab fell through (original floor was in too poor shape) and we are back to VCT tiles or other floor options.

We are now looking at anti-static floor tiles or rubber floors. Obviously there are many flooring types available in the realm of anti-static, static dissipative and static conductive floors and some may even have some effect on vibration (?).

Does anyone have an opinion or can recommend a product or type of product?

Thanks!

Anette

I should mention that our polished concrete floors got approved mostly because of the less (janitorial) maintenance (waxing) required.  The architects calculated that the extra initial cost of polished concrete would be covered within 10 years by reduced maintenance, so we've already "paid" for our floors.  Of course these were new floors so that is a different calculation than existing floors.

I should also mention that even though the floor is described as "polished concrete", there is a permanent sealer applied to the raw polished concrete surface.  Interestingly, not only have the floors held up surprisingly well (they still look new after 10 years), but they don't seem to build up static charges.  Not sure why that is but I assume the explanation might be in the concrete sealer formulation...

[Anette von der Handt]

Yes, I saw various anti-static concrete sealers on the market that would have been part of the plan. Concrete itself only seems to have decent antistatic properties at high humidity levels. I liked the industrial look of the polished concrete but, alas, it cannot be. Sad.

[Anette von der Handt]

Dear all,

I thought I report back about what solution I went for in the end and what other product suggestions I got. Maybe it is helpful for future lab planning elsewhere.

For the new UMinnesota lab I went with:

• VPI "Conductile" (http://www.vpicorp.com/conductile/)

Other products used in different labs and that were suggested:

• Flexco "ESD Vinyl tile" (http://www.flexcofloors.com/product-category/esd-tile/esd-vinyl-tile-samples/ESD vinyl tiles)
  American Biltrite "Electrotile" (https://www.american-biltrite.com/flooring_us/products/solid-vinyl-tile/electrotile/?___store=flooring_us)
  Staticworx "Shadow effects" carpet tiles (https://www.staticworx.com/esd-flooring/shadow-effects-esd-carpet-tile.php)

I may also either have drag chains or conductive casters on the lab chairs depending on how it goes. Midwest winter air is dry.

Thanks everybody for their help and input.

Best,
Anette

[Anette von der Handt]

Hi, I thought I might as well share a few more links I had saved around ESD related options in the lab, especially if ESD floor tiles are not an option (for example, as the room already exists).

What is needed will depend on many factors, lab conditions, local humidity level and sensitivity of the equipments. The longevity especially with foot traffic and chair casters will have to guide you there.

None of the following products are neither endorsed nor tested by me.

ESD epoxy flooring
http://unitedesd.com/esd_flooring_for_static_control_environments.html

ESD floor paint:
http://www.aclstaticide.com/staticide_premium_esd_paint.html
http://unitedesd.com/esd_epoxy.html

ESD floor finishes
http://www.all-spec.com/Catalog/Chemicals-Cleaning-Supplies/Chemicals/Floor-Cleaners#asr

All kinds of ESD chair and work surface mats
http://ultrastatinc.com/office_static_ultraspike_3.html
http://www.all-spec.com/Catalog/Static-Control/Static-Control-Matting#asr

ESD Chair casters
http://chairwheels.com/esd-electrostatic-discharging-conductive-dissipative-anti-static-chair-caster-wheels.html
http://ergo360.com/esd-electrostatic-discharging-conductive-dissipative-anti-static-casters-chair-wheels.html

ESD drag chains
http://desco.descoindustries.com/DescoCatalog/ESD-Systems/Worksurface-Grounding/14000/

There are also ESD shoe grounders
http://www.ultrastatinc.com/ESD_Wrist_Straps.html

Interesting read about floating conductors: "A cart with no ground chain or conductive castors on an ESD floor is a "floating conductor"; its insulative wheels are insulating it from ground giving it the ability to hold a charge."

http://www.esdtile.com/charged-questions/why-are-drag-chains-needed-when-other-esd-measures-are-being-used

Cheers,
Anette