FLOORING
shown to pose a particular fire risk where they soak into clothing or bedding. Furthermore, static electricity also attracts dust, airborne contaminants, and other particles to charged surfaces; thus reducing static in healthcare facilities can make surfaces easier to clean, helping to improve the overall cleanliness of an environment, and potentially also to reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses.
Controlling ESD
Dangerous and damaging ESD can be prevented by restoring the balance of positive and negative ions in a controlled way. ESD protective equipment encompasses a range of measures to help return the charged surface to a neutral state safely. A key part of the system is the flooring. ESD flooring works by limiting the electrostatic charging of people and materials, while also ensuring that charged materials are discharged and grounded. There are several types of ESD flooring offering different levels of protection based on the resistance value of the product. The resistance is expressed in Ohms (Ω), and describes how easily electrostatic charges can flow through the floor to earth. If the resistance is low, the floor is more conductive, and electrostatic charges will flow very easily to ground. A higher resistance value means that the charge will be impeded more in its path to ground.
The three main types of flooring that are described as having anti-static properties are: n Anti-static – this offers the most basic level of protection, and is designed to improve the comfort of building users by reducing the chance of ‘static shocks’. To comply with the EN 14041 standard, the flooring must limit body voltage generation to 2 kilovolts (2000 Volts). This type of flooring has a resistance value greater than 109
Ohms.
n Static Dissipative (SD) – this type of flooring has a relatively low resistance
SD flooring could also be considered to help ensure a cleaner environment – by minimising the attraction of dust and contamination to charged surfaces.
value, and so will conduct charges away more easily. SD products have a resistance value between 106 Ohms.
and 109
n Electro Conductive (EC) – offers further enhanced conductivity, and as such the lowest resistance of the three categories. EC flooring has a resistance value between 104
and 106 Ohms.
Selecting the correct flooring ESD flooring has to be either Static Dissipative (SD) or Electro Conductive (EC), and must be tested in line with EN 1081 and IEC 6134-4-1. In addition, the standard for ESD flooring in healthcare settings is IEC 6340-6-1. These are the standards that specifiers should look for when choosing ESD flooring. As SD and EC flooring products have different resistance characteristics, the choice of product depends on the level of electro- sensitivity of the equipment and environment. For example, SD flooring may be required for hospital operating theatres and areas where sensitive scanning and imaging equipment is located.
In other areas, there may be more than one type of flooring that could potentially be used, and so a choice has to be made.
For example, in a hospital laboratory, standard ‘anti-static’ flooring may be acceptable because there is limited risk to equipment or danger of ignition. However, SD flooring could also be considered to help ensure a cleaner environment – by minimising the attraction of dust and contamination to charged surfaces. Similarly, both types may be acceptable in the computer server rooms on site, but the SD product would offer improved protection for the equipment if other ESD measures are not in place.
The right guidance
Furthermore, using flooring that meets at least the EN 14041 standard throughout the hospital will help ensure greater comfort for patients and staff. A contractor or ESD specialist will be able to provide guidance in determining what type of flooring is best suited to each area of the building. It is also recommended that for any new piece of equipment, the installation guidance is checked to ascertain what level of protection the manufacturer recommends, and whether the current flooring provides the necessary protection.
Hygiene and health
SD and EC floorcoverings are available in a range of colourways to provide the choice and freedom to create an environment that supports patient care.
66 Health Estate Journal October 2020
In a healthcare setting, hygiene is of course among the highest priorities. In particular, it is important that any flooring can be effectively and efficiently cleaned. While most resilient floorcoverings will provide ease of cleaning, the product’s resistance to decontamination processes, and the chemicals used, must be considered, and especially its resistance to the compounds commonly found in disinfectants. These include chemicals such as formalin, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, and sodium hypochlorite. It is also important to consider if, and how easily, the surface can be repaired if damaged. Being able to repair the surface not only reduces further degradation of the flooring, but also helps improve hygiene, since defects in the surface become areas that are harder to clean,
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