As professionals in the electronics, automobile, defence, aeronautics, micromechanics industries – high-tech industries – you are subject to efficiency and safety requirements which forbid the smallest error. When renovating the ESD zones of your company, you must combine four essential elements: satisfying current regulations on electrostatic discharges, selecting materials which are sufficiently resistant to the exerted pressures (mechanical, chemical, etc.), obtaining an optimal level of sealing, and limiting the impact of works on your activity. Within the framework of its policy of “Raising the standards”, Gerflor takes into account the challenges that you face when installing ESD electroconductive flooring.

Pass audits and respect current regulations

Professionals of high-tech industries know that their sites must satisfy rigorous standards with regard to risks related with static electricity. Within the context of renovating the flooring of an ESD zone, the following international regulations must be respected:

• Mainly used in Europe, regulation IEC/CEI 61340-5-1 applies to electrical and electronic equipment which may be damaged by electrostatic discharges equal to or greater than 100V.
• In the same way, in the Americas and the USA, regulation ANSI/ESD S20.20 states that the company must implement and maintain an electrostatic discharge control programme to protect electrical and electronic equipment.

Identify the level of mechanical and chemical resistance 

With the ESD electroconductive flooring solution installed, whether new or renovated, it must resist the pressures exerted in the daily activity of your industry. It must bear heavy loads of the movement of electric pallet trucks or automatic vehicles (AGVs). This flooring solution must also be resistant to the chemical products most frequently used by high-tech industries (acids, bases, detergents, etc.)

Identify the level of sealing necessary for your industry

Depending on the sector of your innovative industry which requires the installation or renovation of its flooring, it is essential to identify the level of sealing required. Thus, for clean rooms and microelectronic production zones, it is necessary to select an ESD electroconductive flooring that offers an ultra-clean solution. This 100% sealing may be guaranteed thanks to a heat sealed connection of different parts of the flooring, attachment to baseboards, and flooring with wall protections.

Limit the impact of works on your activity

The old saying “time is money” is pertinent in high-tech industries, where all stoppage of activity, even temporary, may be costly and complicated to organise – not to mention the starting up of machines after the renovation of flooring. You may, for example, maintain production during work by organising the installation of the flooring by a series of blocks. You must find a solution with a moderate effect in terms of costs and duration, to prevent losses.

Choose a solution that satisfies these four requirements

To simultaneously satisfy regulations on protection against damage caused by electrostatic discharges, sealing and resistance requirements, and productivity needs, within the framework of its policy of “Raising the standards” Gerflor has designed the GTI EL5 range. These GTI tiles may be installed in all areas of high-tech industries (production, packaging and stocking areas for products sensitive to ESD, clean rooms and datacentres). They are ideal for the renovation of ESD zones as they can be installed quickly without screed, without preparation of the floor, without adhesive, and therefore without drying time. Stopping your activity is not necessary!