FAQ: Could a conductive floor endanger people working around operational energized equipment?

In the unlikely event of a stray voltage or short circuit in electrified equipment, conductive floors expose workers to more electrical current than static-dissipative flooring. For this reason, standards for telecommunications and flight-control spaces, where personnel may come into contact with electrified equipment, prohibit the use of conductive flooring.

In most cases, particularly with ESD carpet, conductive materials offer no static-control advantage over static-dissipative flooring as far as inhibiting charges on people walking on the floor. In August, 2011, an independent lab study compared the charge-generation performance of static-dissipative carpet tile against conductive carpet tile. The results were nearly identical with the slight advantage in favor of static-dissipative carpet. As there are no performance benefits, there’s no incentive to risk liability or compromise the safety by sidestepping established grounding standards, such as ATIS 0600321, FAA 019f, and Motorola R56.

A split illustration demonstrating an issue with highly conductive floors. On the left side a data server is shown with the door open and a zoomed in cross section shows a split wire (labeled "Faulty wiring or short circuit". On the right side, a worker is shown reaching out to the data server. A yellow and red line running down her arm to ground shows the charge being carried. Text underneath reads "If direct body contact is made with an electrically energized part, while similar contact is made with another conductive surface (... at a different electrical potential), a current will enter the body at one contact point, traverse the body, and exit at the other contact point (usually the ground). Each year many employees suffer pain, injuries, and death from such electric shocks" attributed to OSHA. The source is given as "How Electrical Current Affects the Human Body," OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) website: (http://www.osha.gov.uk/SLTC/etools/construction/electrical_incidents/eleccurrent.html)
A split illustration demonstrating an issue with highly conductive floors. On the left side a data server is shown with the door open and a zoomed in cross section shows a split wire (labeled "Faulty wiring or short circuit". On the right side, a worker is shown reaching out to the data server. A yellow and red line running down her arm to ground shows the charge being carried. Text underneath reads "If direct body contact is made with an electrically energized part, while similar contact is made with another conductive surface (... at a different electrical potential), a current will enter the body at one contact point, traverse the body, and exit at the other contact point (usually the ground). Each year many employees suffer pain, injuries, and death from such electric shocks" attributed to OSHA. The source is given as "How Electrical Current Affects the Human Body," OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) website: (http://www.osha.gov.uk/SLTC/etools/construction/electrical_incidents/eleccurrent.html)

These videos may provide further understanding on the subject.

Static-Control Flooring and Electrical Resistance Testing

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The Case Against Highly Conductive Flooring (NFPA 99)

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A completed installation of ShadowFX static-dissipative (ESD) carpet tile (Fields & Stone range) in a lobby
A completed installation of AmeriWorx conductive (ESD) vinyl tile flooring in an electronics manufacturing facility
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An in progress installation of GroundWorx Ultra generation 3 ESD epoxy flooring in an electronics manufacturing and assembly facility.
Completed installation of GroundLock Extreme ESD interlocking tiles at a manufacturing facility

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StaticWorx high-performance static-control floors protect electronic components, explosives, and high-speed computers from damage caused by static electricity. ESD flooring is part of a system. Choices should always be based on objective, researched evidence. When you partner with us, we look at all possible items that may need to integrate with the floor, and, focusing on your goals and objectives, help you find the right floor for your application.