Installing ESD flooring over existing access floor panels: Major factors to consider
Installing esd tiles over existing access flooring?
Consider these major factors which may affect outcome:
- The choice of flooring material and the installation method should be
evaluated at the same time when considering installing esd tiles
over existing access flooring; they are an inseparable package.
Some flooring materials cannot be installed properly over access
flooring panels
in the field. Some existing panel surfaces need to be removed before a new
surface can be added. Some panels require the use of “edge trim” to
surround the new surface before the panel can be reinstalled.
- Achieving a clean, field installed, one-to-one fit between resilient
tiles and existing access floor panels requires
the services of a professional
access flooring installer. This type of
work should only be performed by
experienced personnel from the access flooring industry.
This scope should not be turned over to conventional flooring contractors.
Special adhesives, tools, and installation methods are required, especially
when considering the modification of existing floors.
- Tiles must measure at least 24” by 24” to fit over existing
access flooring panels.
- The adhesive needs to be conductive.
- The ideal thickness for resilient flooring to match the pile height of
ESD carpet tile is 5 millimeters. An exact height match can be achieved by
using GridLock ESD vinyl
tile. Gridlock is manufactured for field insertion
and matching with ESD carpet tile. Gridlock measures 24” by 24” by
5 millimeters thick.
- Field installation of ESD flooring over access flooring panels often requires
a low odor environment. This can be achieved using one of two methods:
- Use Staticworx dry conductive adhesive.
- Panel exchange method
Remove panels from the area and apply wet adhesives in an external area. This is usually organized by swapping out existing panels, often set up as an “exchange contract” with an access flooring dealer. The contractor prepares panels off site at their location and then brings them in to exchanges their panels for the existing access flooring panels in your facility. This eliminates down time and interruptions as all time consuming labor is performed off site. Contact Staticworx at 617-923-2000 for names of approved panel exchange and installation partners.
- Tiles measuring 24” by 24” are standard in the following Staticworx
products:
EC Rubber
Conductors Carpet Tile – Peel and stick option is also available
Gridlock 5 millimeter vinyl tile
Foundation Series 3.2 millimeter vinyl tile
Architectural SD Rubber – Special Order Only, Minimums May Apply.
- Releasable carpet tile adhesive should never be used to install homogeneous rubber tile. Homogeneous rubber tile, like our Rhino series architectural SD tile, lacks the lateral dimensional stability. A poor bond between the tile and the substrate could result in bubbles or curling. Homogeneous, single layer rubber should only be installed with a permanent, wet-set adhesive. Staticworx accepts no liability for any bond failure involving installation of homogeneous rubber flooring with releasable adhesives like UTP CompuRelease.
Contact Staticworx at 617-923-2000 for questions regarding how to best handle the installation of esd tiles over exisiting access floors.
