If your facility builds, repairs or stores electronics, a static spark you cannot even feel can damage a circuit board. An ESD (electrostatic discharge) floor is one part of controlling that risk. Here is a plain-language guide for facility and operations managers.
What an ESD floor does
People and carts build up static charge as they move. An ESD floor gives that charge a safe, controlled path to ground, so it does not discharge into sensitive components. It works together with ESD footwear or heel straps, grounded workstations and the rest of your static control program.
Conductive vs dissipative
Conductive floors have lower electrical resistance and drain charge quickly. Common where explosive materials or very sensitive components are handled.
Static dissipative floors have higher resistance and drain charge more slowly and gently. Common in electronics assembly, labs and server rooms.
The right range depends on what you handle and on your customer or industry requirements, not on a contractor's preference.
Standards you will hear about
Many electronics facilities build their static control program around the ESD Association's ANSI/ESD S20.20 standard, and floor resistance is commonly measured with test methods such as ANSI/ESD STM7.1. Your quality team or customer usually sets the target range. Share it at the start, and the floor can be specified and tested to it.
How an ESD floor is installed
Prep: the slab is ground and repaired like any other resin floor.
Grounding: copper strips or grounding points are laid out and connected to building ground.
Conductive primer: a primer that carries charge to the grounding points.
ESD topcoat: an epoxy or urethane finish with conductive properties.
Testing: resistance readings are taken after curing and recorded.
Keeping it working
Use cleaners approved for ESD floors. Waxes and some polishes insulate the surface and stop it working.
Test the floor periodically as part of your ESD program.
Check that footwear and carts are actually making contact with the floor.
Plan your ESD floor
Hardbond installs ESD and anti-static flooring for electronics, labs and data rooms across Toronto and the GTA. Send us your required resistance range and we will specify, install and test the floor to match.
