ESD Carpet Tile and Broadloom cleaning Guidelines
Product Page
Information
- 10 Reasons SD Carpet is Better Value Than Hard Surface SD Tiles
- 5 Reasons to Use Vermont Slate ESD Carpet Tile in 24/7 Critical Environments
- 7 Ways ShadowFX ESD Carpet Tile Differs from Commercial Tile
- ESD Carpet: Preventing Electrostatic Discharge
- Premium Helix Monofilament Fibers
- ShadowFX and ESD Standards
- ShadowFX Carpet Fiber Shape and Modification Ratio
- ShadowFX Static-Dissipative Carpet Tile: FAQs
- Why is ShadowFX Carpet Static Dissipative and Not Conductive?
Installation, Cleaning and LEED Information
StaticWorx products are quality engineered to provide a long useful life and enhance the working environment. Carpet/carpet tile offers many advantages over other flooring systems, such as sound absorption, reduced fatigue, and lower maintenance costs.
From the start, the maintenance program should be considered part of the buying decision. If proper maintenance is neglected, the carpet’s appearance and performance will suffer, shortening the carpet’s useful life and raising long-term costs. A comprehensive carpet care program* consists of four elements:
- Reduction of soil entering the building
- Removal of dry soil
- Removal of spots and spills
- Cleaning by hot water extraction
The Importance of Planning
Carpet maintenance must be established as a scheduled program, rather than being a random series of reactions to soiling conditions and infrequent cleaning. Virtually every complaint of poor appearance, rapid soiling, pile crushing and many times poor performance has been shown to be related to a lack of planning and control for the maintenance program.
The most important consideration when planning a maintenance program is the budget. Like other expensive furnishings or equipment, advanced static controlled carpet represents a substantial investment for any facility and deserves adequate care to prolong its effective life. If the carpet maintenance budget is set unrealistically low, the carpet will need to be replaced prematurely. Other items to consider are the amount of traffic and type of soiling, which will vary by area. Due to the higher traffic level, entrance lobbies, and hallways will need more care than offices. Production line areas and outside entrances will require more effort due to the more difficult soiling conditions.
Recommended Maintenance Frequency
Light Traffic: Private Offices & Cubicles, Computer Rooms and Test Areas
Medium Traffic: Shared Offices, Interior Hallways, Conference Rooms and Light Assembly
Heavy Traffic: Entrances, Elevators, Main Hallways, Break Rooms, Work/Copy Rooms, Mailrooms, Light Assembly and Manufacturing, Command Centers, Data Centers and Call Centers
|
Traffic Level |
Vacuum |
Pile Lift |
Spot Clean |
Hot Water Extraction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Light |
Every 2-3 Days |
As Needed |
As Needed |
Annually |
|
Medium |
Daily |
Quarterly |
As Needed |
Annually |
|
Heavy |
Daily |
Monthly |
As Needed |
Every 6 Months |
|
Severe |
Daily |
Monthly |
As Needed |
Quarterly |
Severe Conditions: Entries to Main Lobbies, Areas Surrounding Surface Mount, Wave Solder or Aqueous Cleaners
* (Extra Heavy Traffic & Excessive Soiling Require Frequent Attention). For these areas StaticWorx ESD Vinyl or Epoxy Flooring is recommended.
Reduction of Soiling
The use of walk-off mats at transition areas from the outside or hard surface to carpet is important. Walk-off mats can greatly reduce the amount of soil entering a facility by normal traffic. There are two types of mats which should be used: soil removal mats and water absorbent mats.
- Good soil removal mats have a coarse texture and are able to brush soil from shoes and hold large amounts in the pile.
- The water absorbent mat must be used inside, either full time or at least during wet weather. When both types of mats are used in combination, they should always be placed so that incoming traffic passes over the soil removal mat first, because the absorbent types have very little soil holding ability. For mats to continue to trap soil, they should be cleaned on a regular basis.
Removal of Dry Soil
Vacuuming is the most significant element in the maintenance of carpet and in the overall appearance of the facility. Research has shown that 85% of the soil tracked into a building is dry, and the other 15% is oily. Vacuums are designed to control this dry soil. Frequent vacuuming removes particulate soil from the surface before it works down in to the pile where it is more difficult to remove. Walking on the carpet accelerates the rate at which the particles settle deep into the pile. Areas with heavy traffic, such as entrances and major corridors, assembly or manufacturing, should be vacuumed at least once a day. Areas with less traffic, such as offices, computer rooms, engineering labs, should be vacuumed every other day depending upon conditions.
Vacuum Cleaner Recommendations
- Vacuums should have dual motors – one to drive the source of agitation or vibration which loosens the soil, and one to drive the vacuum fan which creates the suction that picks up the particles. This prevents the vacuum from losing efficiency as the beater bar/brush becomes slowed by excessive debris or as the bag fills. Dual motor vacuums also survive the demands of a commercial location and last longer than single motor vacuums.
- Bags that fill from the top are preferred over those that fill from the bottom. As the bag fills, it does not add to the load on the vacuum motor. Bags should be checked frequently and replaced when 1/2 to 2/3 full. When changing bags, also check the belt and replace if loose or worn.
Between cleanings, regular use of a pile lifter can remove deeply imbedded dry sand and soil, help stand up the pile and renew the appearance of the carpet in high traffic areas. A pile lifter is an upright two motor vacuum with a large, adjustable, gentle bristle brush with a motor, a high suction vacuum motor, and a sand trap. Using a pile lifter in traffic lanes just prior to cleaning will remove the deeply embedded soil and open up the pile so the hot water extraction can be more effective. Another good use of a pile lifter is for post-construction cleanup. Vacuum first to pick up the larger sized chunks of dried mud, dirt, and construction debris. Then use a pile lifter to remove the fine particulates, such as dry wall dust, which are deep in the pile. After using a pile lifter, the final step – cleaning by hot water extraction to remove the residual soil – will be less difficult.
Cleaning
Even with thorough vacuuming, cleaning is necessary to remove the 15% of soil which is the oily type material. In order to maintain a good appearance, the carpet must be cleaned on a periodic basis to prevent its becoming so dirty that it can no longer be cleaned satisfactorily. The frequency of cleaning must be adjusted to the rate at which soil accumulates; therefore, heavily trafficked areas typically require more frequent cleaning, as do areas with less traffic but more soil.
When the color of the carpet begins to look dull, it is time to clean the carpet. The traffic lanes will show this first. If the carpet is cleaned before it becomes excessively soiled, the cleaning will be a more successful and much easier task. This is especially important in places oily soil is prevalent, such as the areas near streets or asphalt parking lots, and those around certain messy electronic manufacturing operations, SMT lines and Cleaners. Solder and production soil forms a sticky material similar to varnish which traps and holds dry soil and may become nearly impossible to remove as it ages. And remember, damp carpet cleans shoes and collects soil faster. The resulting black discoloration in the traffic lanes will require pre-treatment with a traffic lane cleaner to break down the soiling. It also requires the use of hot, not warm, water to effectively clean the carpet.
The Cleaning System
When choosing a proper cleaning system, it is necessary to consider how effectively it cleans and how well it enhances the appearance retention of the carpet texture without leaving a heavy residue. StaticWorx recommends the hot water extraction system, which research indicates provides the best capability for cleaning. This system is commonly referred to as “steam cleaning” although no steam is actually generated. The process consists of spraying a solution of water and cleaning agent into the pile and, using a powerful vacuum, recovering the used solution and soil into a holding tank. This can be best done from a truck-mounted unit outside the facility with only the hose and wand brought into the facility. It is important to deliver clean water at a minimum of 200°F to the carpet face.
Self-contained, walk-behind machines are another type of hot water extraction equipment commonly used. They apply the cleaning solution at a rate which is balanced with the recovery capability of the machine, resulting in a carpet that is only damp after cleaning. This feature prevents untrained users from overwetting the carpet to the point that drying time is unacceptable. This type of machine is employed largely by hospitals and schools with in-house maintenance staffs. One variation of this equipment continuously recycles the cleaning solution for multiple uses. StaticWorx does not recommend the use of the equipment because as the recycled solution is reused, the materials dissolved in it are distributed over the whole area.
To locate a nearby professional carpet cleaner which uses a hot water extraction system call the national referral service listed below:
- Institute of Inspection, Cleaning & Restoration Certification (IICRC) (WA) – 800-835-4624
- Steamaway International, 4550 Jackson St., Denver, CO 80126 800-447-8326
* Must specify hot water extraction cleaner (truck-mounted preferred)
** Must specify commercial application
Recommendations for In-House Maintenance
If you decide that cleaning by in-house personnel is best, here are some guidelines to follow. For a good reference describing carpet cleaning and the hot water extraction method specifically, read the Carpet Cleaning Standard (S001-1991) by the IICRC.
- Before beginning steam cleaning, thoroughly vacuum the area to be cleaned to remove as much dry soil as possible. Use a pile lifter if necessary in high traffic or heavy soiled areas.
- Pretreat the heavily soiled areas and traffic lane and wait the recommended time before cleaning. Although it is advisable to minimize the use of solvents, many traffic lane cleaners do contain some solvents to help remove the stubborn oily dirt often found in traffic areas. A small area should be treated and the liquid extracted before the traffic lane cleaner dries.
- Use a detergent with a pH of less than 10, preferably near 9, and with a minimum of non-sticky residue. The attraction between the detergent and the particles of soil and oil is critical to the cleaning process. However, the detergent residue continues to attract these particles even after drying. Increasing the amount of detergent beyond the recommended level does not greatly increase cleaning performance, but makes the complete removal of detergent more difficult. Because build-up of detergent residue is the most common cause of accelerated resoiling complaints, do not use extra. StaticWorx does not recommend the use of cleaning agents with optical brighteners.
- Avoid overwetting the carpet. This is controlled by a combination of proper equipment and operator training.
- Do not use any silicone-based anti-soil treatments on carpet. The only anti-soil products approved for use as needed are formulated with either Dupont’s Teflon or 3M’s Scotchgard.
- Reduce drying time by using several fans or air movers to move air across the carpet, in combination with a dehumidifier or air conditioner to pull moisture out of the air. Carpet should be dry within twelve hours; even less is better.
Spot and Spill Removal
All maintenance procedures mentioned thus far have been planned; spot and stain removal is the reaction to an unplanned incident. Therefore, it is desirable to have the needed materials handy by planning ahead of time. Professional carpet cleaning companies have spot removal kits available in convenient carrying cases that contain all the necessary materials.
General Instructions
Remove as much of food spills as possible by scraping gently with a spoon or dull knife. Absorb wet spills as quickly as possible by blotting with white paper or cloth towels. Always blot, never scrub or rub abrasively, as a fuzzy area may result. When blotting, work from the outer edge in toward the center of the spot to avoid spreading the spill and enlarging the problem. Always follow spot removal with a water rinse to remove the sticky residue from the spotter; the residue can cause rapid resoiling. There are spotting extractors that work well for the rinse-and-extract method. Always draw out the remaining moisture with several layers of white towels weighted down on the spot.
Removal Procedures
- WATER SOLUBLE STAINS – Absorb as much as possible with white towels. Blot the affected area with more towels dampened with cool water until no more color transfers to the towels. If any of the stain remains, use a detergent solution of 1/2 teaspoon (no more) of CLEAR, NON-BLEACH liquid hand dish washing detergent to a quart of water in a clean spray bottle OR use a general purpose spotter with a pH less than 10. Spray lightly onto the spot and blot repeatedly with white towels. Rinse thoroughly by spraying with clean water, and then blot or extract. Do not use too much detergent because the residue will contribute to rapid resoiling.
- As in A, but BEFORE using the detergent, apply a solution of household ammonia (one tablespoon ammonia to one cup water) to a white towel and blot onto spot OR use an alkaline spotter rather than the detergent.
- GREASE – For oily or greasy spots, blot with white towels to remove excess. Apply a solvent (designed for grease removal) to an absorbent towel and continue blotting. Use sparingly and do not pour or spray on the carpet.
DO NOT USE FLAMMABLE SOLVENTS. Follow up with “A” procedure.
100% carbon neutral over the life of the carpet.
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ShadowFX Static-dissipative (SC) Carpet Tile Collections
Looking for easy installation of Staticworx ESD Carpet Tile over your bare access floor panels?
ShadowFX SDC with TacTiles® is your solution.
- Installation economy – no adhesive required
- Guaranteed to meet all ESD standards for any application
- ShadowFX carpet tiles with dissipative backing are grounded upon contact with metal panels Carpet tiles are easily lifted and replaced
With its simple, subtle texture and diversity of color options, Shadow FX SDC Solids is a popular choice for many styles of interior. It’s also ideal for mixing and matching with other Shadow FX SDC carpet tiles, to create accents, inserts, borders or checkerboard effects – a really useful, versatile tool for designers.
After two or three years of use, carpet tiles exposed to chair casters and heavy traffic used to be prone to pile crush, making them look different from adjacent tiles. The main factor contributing to this problem was the pattern designs used in typical ESD carpet tile. All of these systems were either a solid pattern with slightly mottled colors or linear patterns with directional lines. Because carpet tiles appear seamless, like one large continuous floor, worn areas would stick out like a coffee stain on a white shirt.
The solution: Learning from nature.
Based on biomimicry – the study and imitation of nature’s best ideas to solve human problems – Staticworx ShadowFX static-dissipative (SD) carpet tiles mimic the organic design of nature. Tiles vary in patterns and colors within one style and colorway – all but eliminating the ability to observe pile crush or other forms of wear between tiles.
Because there’s no need to worry about matching dye lots, you need less attic stock and selective replacement is more effective. Replacement tiles are almost indistinguishable from older – original – tiles in the same installation.
Non-directional Installation for Less Installation Waste
ShadowFX SDC Patterns and Cubic Collections offer the added benefit of non-directional installation, meaning that tiles can be laid in any order or orientation. With no set pattern to maintain and no need to align tiles in a certain direction, there is significantly less installation waste. In fact, the average ShadowFX non-directional installation produces only 1.5% waste versus an average of 14% for other carpet styles. That means more of your floorcovering investment is on your floor, not in a dumpster.
And the best part, ShadowFX carpet tiles can be installed without glue, as a floating floor over any hard surface.
Simplicity Meets Style
Treez, our latest ShadowFX carpet tile collection, marries timeless style with the simplicity in nature. Tufted, textured loop construction adds dimension, creating a look as natural and stately as the bark on a tree. As appealing and comfortable in an uptown financial services space or high-tech lobby as in a workhorse application such as a data center or manufacturing facility.
In sophisticated tones with threads of complementary colors in varying widths, our Parks Series carpet tile puts an earthy twist on classic linear design. A low-profile face uses less material for a tailored, upscale aesthetic.
Like the stately summits of Vermont, our Peaks series carpet tile combines natural beauty with zen-like tranquility. Elegant in pattern and texture, with colorways in both warm and cool tones, our Peaks collection gives you a floor with dimension, functionality, and character.
Humans instinctively crave a connection to nature. Time spent in holistic places like Vermont provides a sense of comfort and wellbeing while promoting physical and mental health.
Inspired by the natural world, our ShadowFX Vermont Fields and Stone Carpet Tile Collection brings nature into the workspace, evoking feelings of serenity and refuge. A fusion of organic design and neutral color palette makes this dynamic collection as ideal for urban as for country or rural environments.
ShadowFX SDC Chenille Warp Carpet is a tufted patterned level tip-sheared pile carpet tile, with SD backing. The pile material is made from recycled solution-dyed nylon. The fundamental aesthetic of Chenille is stripes which have been interpreted in a bold and textural way without relying on heavy face weight. Shadow FX Chenille Warp is available in colorways. The tiles can be installed in a variety of ways including quarter-turn, ashlar, brick fashion and parquet, with the potential to provide an unconventional appearance.
Linear precision, softened by texture and offset shapes.
As its name suggests, Furrows II has a resilient patterned loop pile carpet, reflecting the linear regularity of ploughed fields. Its textured, structured loop pile creates the three-dimensional impression of an aerial view of a cultivated landscape.
Designed for heavy contract performance, ShadowFX Furrows II maintains its distinctive appearance even in high-traffic areas. Pile yarn and backing contain pre-consumer recycled material, minimizing environmental impact.
Built to withstand heavy traffic and abuse and designed to address the most stringent static control requirements – making Vermont Slate ideal for any application from electronics manufacturing to labs to 24/7 critical environments.
StaticWorx Vermont Slate carpet-tile collection provides the durability and high performance you expect from StaticWorx floors in a design that transports you to the mountains of Vermont. Warm, monochromatic earth tones promote a peaceful environment, inspiring creativity and a sense of wellbeing and connectedness.
The rock-like etchings in our Vermont Slate carpet tiles flow seamlessly across the surface of the floor in a non-directional or monolithic installation. Merge-ability enables mixing dye lots and saves money by allowing you to add new or replace worn or damaged tiles without worrying about dye lot compatibility.
- Mergeable design – eliminates worry about matching dye lots
- No fade – solution-dyed yarn prevents fading
- Non-directional install method – easy to install and replace
- Durable – rated for high traffic
- Superior static control performance – meets the most stringent ESD standards including ANSI/ESD S20.20 and IEC 61340-5-1:2016*
- Lifetime warranty for static control.
- Static dissipative – meets standards for electronics manufacturing, telecom and government spaces**
ShadowFX™ Planx offer a more expressive visual vocabulary.
Our 25cm x 1m Shadow FX ESD Planx bring new proportion and scale to carpet tile, giving you power to create fresh, exciting floor designs. The scale and directionality of Shadow FX ESD Planx creates floors that better reflect the geometry and flow of the surrounding space.
Planx or squares, our tiles all work together.
Use square tiles with contrasting Skinny Planks for large-scale tile patterns, provide wayfinding cues, or for work and activity zones. And this is just the beginning!
StaticWorx modular carpet tile and Planx work together in any combination, giving you a carpet tile design platform with unparalleled options.
A shape that’s better at hiding seams.
Want the benefits of carpet tile without the look of carpet tile? Use Shadow FX ESD Planx, same style and color, laid in an ashlar pattern. They’ll blend near seamlessly across the floor, giving you the benefits of modularity and the continuous look of broadloom.
A soft hard surface.
Love the look of wood plank flooring? Think luxury vinyl plank flooring is stunning? Patterns—like herringbone or ashlar—give ShadowFX Planx the visual appeal of other plank floors, with the patterning possibilities. You also get a floor covering that’s soft, quiet and much more economical than hard surfaces.
Get in Touch
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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.
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“I’m so glad we were able to find an attractive solution that didn’t leave us with some run-of-the-mill ugly disaster.”
Unless otherwise stated, standards referenced are the most up-to-date versions.
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The FAA has updated its standard for facilities and electronic equipment. StaticWorx meets all requirements for ESD flooring.
Flooring Products
We accept these major credit cards.
“I’m so glad we were able to find an attractive solution that didn’t leave us with some run-of-the-mill ugly disaster.”
Share This
Get in Touch
East Coast: 617-923-2000
Email: [email protected]
subscribe to newsletter
Sign up for our newsletter and occasional updates.
The FAA has updated its standard for facilities and electronic equipment. StaticWorx meets all requirements for ESD flooring.
Unless otherwise stated, standards referenced are the most up-to-date versions.
Flooring Products
We accept these major credit cards.
Get in Touch
East Coast: 617-923-2000
Email: [email protected]
“I’m so glad we were able to find an attractive solution that didn’t leave us with some run-of-the-mill ugly disaster.”
Share This
subscribe to newsletter
Sign up for our newsletter and occasional updates.
The FAA has updated its standard for facilities and electronic equipment. StaticWorx meets all requirements for ESD flooring.
Unless otherwise stated, standards referenced are the most up-to-date versions.
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