FAQ: What does it mean when someone says a floor "meets ANSI/ESD S20.20"?

When discussing the electrical properties of their static-control floors, manufacturers usually refer to ANSI/ESD documentation, stating that their floor “meets ANSI/ESD S20.20.”

What they actually mean is that, in resistance testing, their floors measure less than 1.0 X 10E9 ohms. By itself, that fact tells only part of the story. For any floor used in a program that must meet the 2014 revision of ANSI/ESD S20.20—the flooring and flooring resistance are only one part of a bigger picture.

The floor must also meet walking body voltage (or charge generation) requirements: that is, material must generate no more than 100 volts of static on people walking on the floor, wearing whatever type of footwear is to be worn in the space.

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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.