FAQ: What is the difference between static-dissipative and conductive flooring?

ESD floors do not meet ANSI/ESD S20.20. Because S20.20 is not a specification. Learn more about this process document and the standard test methods it cites.

Conductive vinyl tile is not an appropriate ESD floor for an emergency dispatch center, and will not prevent static from damaging equipment. Find out why.

Why does an ESD floor need only 1 ground connection per 1000 ft? The conductivity in ESD tile and conductive adhesive form an electrical bond. Find out more.

This brief response to one of our most frequently asked questions explains why you need to use copper grounding strips in ESD flooring installations.

Dry adhesives can be installed over an old floor, with no move-in or move-out time. Learn more about dry adhesives & where they can be used.

The ideal electrical resistance for an ESD floor is not a number; it’s a range. This brief post cites the ideal range, supported by a clear visual image.

Learn why it’s a mistake to choose an ESD floor based simply on its being labeled static-dissipative or conductive, and why it’s crucial to test performance.

Resistance measurements are only part of the ANSI S20.20 requirements. To meet the standard, an ESD floor must also pass body voltage tests. Find out more.

A static-control floor can fail to meet ANSI S20.20—if it fails either resistance or body voltage tests. Learn what’s involved in meeting this ESD standard.

Cold air flowing under an access floor poses no threat of static shock to personnel or hardware walking or standing on the floor. Find out why.

Using an adhesive that’s less conductive than the ESD flooring material could pose a safety risk. Learn the technical details for ensuring electrical safety.

Standard, non-ESD tile is insulative, and cannot be used with conductive adhesive to dissipate static or prevent static generation. Find out why.

Regular, non-ESD tiles cannot be used with ESD floor tiles in a single installation. Find out what would happen and why the two can’t be mixed.

Regular & ESD floors differ only by the electrical properties of the flooring material & adhesive. Learn why any competent installer can install an ESD floor.

This brief response to a commonly asked question explains why an ESD floor should never acquire its electrical conductivity from special antistatic sprays.

Find out why a low charge-generating (anti-static) floor may not dissipate static properly and learn the differences between conductivity and charge generation.

Static-control floors are commonly produced by adding carbon or graphite to the flooring formula. Learn more and find out why some floors cannot be grounded.

How long do dissipative and conductive properties last in ESD flooring? This brief response answers the question and provides a baseline for further reading.

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Learn why an ESD chair placed on a non-ESD floor is isolated from ground and provides no static protection.

The terms antistatic – or low charge-generating – and conductive are unrelated. Learn what this means for static-control floors and why the distinction matters.

Standards for telecommunications and flight-control spaces where people work near electrified equipment prohibit the use of conductive flooring. Find out why.

Find out why ESD tiles cannot be grounded with an underlying ground plane – e.g., conductive adhesive, a conductive underlayment, or a metal access floor.

To evaluate conductivity and predict performance, ESD flooring materials should be conditioned and tested at 12 % (or lower) RH. This post explains why.

Can new ESD floors be installed over old? The brief response to this FAQ will give you a starting point for determining what makes the most sense for you.

Moisture permeation can cause installation failures with all types of flooring. Learn how to test moisture and why high moisture readings must not be ignored.

In this brief post, we explain how to ground materials and carts to a conductive tile floor and provide information on insulators and floating conductors.

Ensuring electrical conductivity across ESD floor tiles involves choosing the right flooring materials. Learn how to unify and ground a static-control floor.

Learn the critical distinction between antistatic and permanent static control, why it matters, and when not knowing the differences can be catastrophic.

Find out why epoxy coatings are not an appropriate static-control solution for data centers or server rooms and which ESD materials are better options.

How do you ensure continuous conductivity across an ESD tile floor? Learn what’s involved and find out why some antistatic floors cannot be grounded.

Learn why low-cost static-dissipative vinyl tile (SDT) may have higher long-term costs than other materials, and why we advise against SDT for static control.

ESD floor tiles that gain their electrical properties from waxes or floor finishes prevent shocks, but do not provide adequate static protection. Find out why.

A well-designed ESD floor provides permanent static control, as long as it’s cleaned and maintained. Others lose conductivity. Discover the differences.

Moisture is a serious issue and must be handled up front, with lock-tight solutions. What to do about moisture and why ignoring the problem can be costly.

Learn the definition of the term mission-critical environment in the context of ESD flooring, and find out which mission-critical spaces require ESD floors.

In this post, we explain why mission-critical spaces require static-control flooring and provide information on the two essential functions of an ESD floor.

The resistance of bare concrete can vary up to 4 orders of magnitudes due to environmental conditions. Find out why concrete is unsuitable for static control.

Using an adhesive that’s less conductive than the ESD flooring material could pose a safety risk. Learn the technical details for ensuring electrical safety.