Please click here to view a case study of a recent static dissipative flooring system which we installed to the new BS standard

The Static Dissipative Finish

Our high performance range of Epoxy Flooring is now available with a static dissipative finish which has an electrical safety resistivity in the range of 10⁴ to 10⁹ ohms.

We commissioned ERA Technology to carry out an investigation for us a few years ago into antistatic coatings in an effort to assist some of our clients who were experiencing electrostatic nuisance.

The role of a floor coating in resisting electrostatic nuisance.

In any working environment where materials come into contact and are then separated or rubbed, contact and frictional charging of materials with static electricity takes place. This is known to occur with flooring materials in varying conditions. A typical case is where a person is walking across a floor, having repeated contact and separation with the floor via the sole of their footwear. As ERA explain 'with each contact / separation cycle, some electrical charge is left as a footprint of electrical charge on the floor, whilst an equal charge of opposite polarity remains on the sole of the shoe.

The important question is, whether the electrical charge builds up on a person to a level where nuisance effects such as shocks are experienced? ERA found the answer to be in balancing the 'rates of electrostatic charging and discharge. If the rate at which charge is dissipated exceeds the rate of charge generation, then the electrostatic voltages which result are normally negligible.

Factors that contribute to nuisance static electricity.

• Choice of footwear. Someone wearing insulating synthetic soled footwear could charge electrostatically. Thus, the provision of a conductive floor will not completely prevent electrostatic nuisance effects.
• Relative Humidity. A condition of low ambient humidity, is often the main causal factor of electrostatic nuisance. This is exacerbated by air conditioning and ventilation.
• Covering a conductive floor with an insulating film.

Conclusion

Provision of a conductive floor will not completely prevent electrostatic nuisance effects but is likely to reduce electrostatic nuisance. This can be achieved by having our static dissipative coating installed with a surface resistivity in the range of 10⁴ to 10⁹ ohms. Combining this with maintaining an ambient relative humidity of above 30% rh will serve to reduce observed electrostatic nuisance.

Trial evaluations are recommended to assess suitability for different working environments.

This system is in use with BBC - London and Scotland, LWT, Granada, Kittiwake and Pioneer