Dissipative and Conductive Flooring Systems

The flooring system with anti-acid technical porcelain stoneware finish can be designed to meet specific requirements in terms of anti-static properties, conduction and dissipation of electrostatic charges.

Due to its nature, ceramic does not promote the accumulation of electrostatic charges, which is an advantage. However, since it is not a conductive material, it cannot on its own ensure controlled discharge dissipation. To address this need, Cipa Gres has tested an anti-static flooring system particularly suitable for industrial, electronic, medical, pharmaceutical or logistics environments. The system combines the hygiene and mechanical resistance of anti-acid technical porcelain stoneware with anti-static, dissipative and conductive properties. Cipa Gres has developed a flooring system suitable for the control of electrostatic discharges (ESD).

ESD Flooring Classification

Depending on the surface or vertical electrical resistance, floorings are classified as follows:

• Anti-static floors
  Limit the generation of electrostatic charge during walking.
  
  • Maximum voltage generated: < 2,000 V
• Dissipative floors
  Allow the gradual discharge of the charge to ground.
  • Electrical resistance: 10⁵ Ω < R < 10⁹ Ω
• Conductive floors
  Allow for rapid conduction of the accumulated charge to the grounding system.
  
  • Electrical resistance: R < 10⁶ Ω

Anti-static, dissipative and conductive floors are mandatory in areas with a high risk of fire or explosion, such as:

• Armories.
• Fuel storage areas.
• Fireworks manufacturers.

An anti-static, dissipative and conductive floor is also recommended in all areas where high-precision electronic machinery is in use, such as:

• Hospitals (operating rooms, medical gas distribution system areas, sterile zones).
• Data processing centers and server rooms (DPCs).
• Ink and glue industries.
• Paint booths, paint manufacturers.
• Atex*** areas within production environments, or more generally, wherever anti-static flooring is required.

***ATEX is the abbreviation for “ATmosphère EXplosible”, and refers to the European Directive 94/9/EC concerning the placing on the market of explosion-proof electrical and mechanical devices, components and protection systems.

Reference Standards

The ESD characteristics of technical flooring are regulated by national and international standards, including:

• CEI 64-4: insulation resistance measurement.
• EN 61340-5-1: protection of electronic components from electrostatic effects.
• EN 61340-4-5: requirements for the person-footwear-flooring system.

Performance Verification

The flooring system made with ESAGONA HI TECH 14 mm was subjected to insulation resistance tests at Centro Ceramico (Test Report No. 5451/24), obtaining a dissipative classification:

• Test method: CEI 64-4.
• Environmental conditions: 23°C – 50% RH.
• Measured values: 10⁷ < R < 10⁸ Ohm.

DOWNLOAD THE TEST RESULT PDF HERE