Epoxy ESD flooring, also known as (electrostatic dissipative) ESD floor finishes, may be the most cost effective solution, for your electronics manufacturing facility, test & assembly areas, and clean rooms. Resin based ESD flooring systems are applied at 20-90 mils, and include both seamless ESD epoxy coatings, as well as ESD urethane flooring. These are applied as thin roll on ESD floor coatings, which are well suited for pallet jacks, and light traffic; or thicker screed-applied systems for heavily damaged concrete and heavy or frequent traffic.

ESD epoxy floor finishes have many distinct advantages over other dissipative conductive flooring options, including vinyl, carpet, tiles, and rubber flooring:

Cost Effectiveness (very low life cycle cost)

Easy to maintain; never needs waxing.

Enhanced durability.

Seamless high-tech appearance; easy to clean

Hi-gloss or satin finish is available.

Chemical resistant to a wide variety acids, alkakis & solvents

ESD properties are \”built into\” the floor.

Due to relatively low installation cost, and low maintenance costs (never needs waxing), resinous anti static flooring provides an excellent return on investment.

A word of caution regarding ESD coating companies; most firms are merely distributors of the materials, and do not actually perform the installation. Since the ESD flooring materials are only as good as the applicator, you are taking a gamble on the outcome. Oftentimes, the distributor is not trained in installation of the products, which limits their knowledge in recommending the correct ESD coating system products. The condition of the concrete, existing flooring and removal required, including glue/adhesives; thickness required, traffic conditions; condition,width and spacing of the joints, temperature, slab moisture condition, duration of the work.

An important consideration when comparing resinous ESD epoxy coating applicators, is sourcing an installation contractor with at least 10 years of experience. For renovation projects, they may need skills and equipment for removal of tile adhesive, and carpet glue removal. Ensure that applicator shall provide a turn-key installation, with their own factory trained company crews, without relying on independent subcontractors. At the completion of the installation, the conductive flooring shall be tested and certified for compliance with ANSI ESD S20.20

OEM\’s and contract manufacturer\’s in high-tech industries have implemented the ANSI ESD S20.20 industry standard for an Electro-Static Discharge (ESD) Control Program, used to protect electrical and electronic components. The resinous ESD flooring selected, shall need to be compliant with the ANSI/ESD S20.20-2007 specifications for ESD control flooring. This specification is a combination of three older standards, including ANSI/ESD STM 7.1, ANSI/ESD STM 97.1, and ANSI/ESD STM 97.2

Due to the hardness and durability of epoxy and urethane, this type of ESD flooring does not provide a resilient finish, as does rubber, vinyl, or carpet. However, anti static mats can be utilized, in areas where workers stand for long periods of time.

With all the above advantages to offer, ESD specifiers should take a close look at epoxy ESD flooring, which provide the most durable, long lasting, cost effective finish for electronics manufacturing floors.

Robert Long, VP of Business Development with EP Floors Corp., has over 25 years of experience in the industrial epoxy flooring business. He attends technical training seminars regularly, on the latest ESD flooring innovations, and has managed over a thousand epoxy flooring projects. For more information Robert may be reached at http://www.EPFloors.com or by email at rlong@EPFloors.com

Robert Long, VP of Business Development with EP Floors Corp., has over 25 years of experience in the industrial epoxy flooring business. He attends technical training seminars regularly, on the latest ESD flooring innovations, and has managed over a thousand epoxy flooring projects. For more information Robert may be reached at http://www.EPFloors.com or by email at rlong@EPFloors.com

Author Bio: Robert Long, VP of Business Development with EP Floors Corp., has over 25 years of experience in the industrial epoxy flooring business. He attends technical training seminars regularly, on the latest ESD flooring innovations, and has managed over a thousand epoxy flooring projects. For more information Robert may be reached at http://www.EPFloors.com or by email at rlong@EPFloors.com

Category: Home Management
Keywords: esd flooring, anti static flooring, static dissipative flooring, esd floors, antistatic floor