SAFE CONDUCTIVE FLOORING FOR HIGH ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE ENVIRONMENTS

The choice of which type of industrial flooring to use (whether conductive or static dissipative) is generally covered by UK legislation or specified by the owner’s ESD co-ordinator.

In the absence of such information, the recommendations of the Deutsche Bauchemie e. V. provide a useful guide. In summary, static dissipative (electrical resistance of 1×106Ω < RE < 1×109Ω) is sufficient for most environments, except two situations where conductive epoxy must be specified:

1. Areas in which there are components sensitive to electrostatic discharges.

2. If the area contains explosive materials that are listed in UK legislation or materials that are deemed explosive according to the tests specified by this legislation, then the electrical resistance of the floor must be ≤ 1×10⁶Ω.

Explosive is defined as “a reactive substance that contains a great amount of potential energy that can produce an explosion if released suddenly, usually accompanied by the production of light, heat, sound, and pressure”.

Trazcon® EC14 resin flooring systems properties

• Electrically conductive floors (ECF) that have an electrical resistance of RE < 1×10⁶Ω.
• Available in a range of different monochrome coloured finishes.