We’ve all experienced a minor electric shock or discharge of static electricity when touching a door handle or metal object after walking across a carpeted floor. Electronic shock and discharge may be annoying and startling, but what if you’re operating delicate electronic equipment such as PLC’s and avionic instruments that are sensitive to electrical events?
Facilities that manufacture and repair sensitive electronics need to take comprehensive measures to protect both the equipment and employees. Oftentimes, static control floor coatings are a part of this plan.
What is Electrostatic Dissipative (ESD)
What is Electrostatic Dissipative (ESD) and Conductive Flooring? Electrostatic dissipative flooring, also known as ESD flooring, works like a grounding rod. It is conductive at the level appropriate for allowing static electricity to safely flow through it and reach a grounding point, where the charge is then removed from the room. ESD epoxy and urethane flooring systems improve safety by allowing for the continual discharge and dissipation of a certain level of electric energy in a given space. Where do you typically use ESD and conductive flooring? ESD flooring is typically used in facilities that require protection of electronics. Conductive flooring is typically used in potentially explosive settings. Therefore so it is important to consider our various static control flooring systems if your facility handles sensitive electronics or volatile, unstable materials.
At Keynote Construction, we are proud to offer high quality flooring systems that meet the demands of most commercial and industrial settings. Ask our team about options for to receive the same level of quality and care you’ve come to expect from Keynote Construction.
The Risks of Static Electricity
While we all come into contact with static electricity on a daily basis, it is rarely a cause for concern. But in facilities that process and manufacture sensitive electronics, explosive materials, or volatile chemicals, static electricity can pose a threat in a variety of ways.
- Damage to Sensitive Parts. The most common problem associated with electrostatic discharge is damage to sensitive electronic pieces of equipment, which is often not detected until the faulty part is already in use. Today’s semiconductors, for example, are capable of measuring distances of just a few millionths of an inch, and even minor electrical damage can seriously impact precision.
- Employee Safety. We usually don’t think of the minor shocks caused by static electricity as particularly dangerous events, but in a manufacturing setting, even a small shock can cause serious damage. A worker who pulls a hand away quickly or jumps in response to a shock could endanger himself or other employees operating dangerous equipment.
- Risk of Explosions. When working with volatile chemicals and explosive substances, even a minor electrostatic event could trigger an explosive reaction with devastating consequences. In rare cases, static electricity can build up to the point of causing an actual spark at discharge.