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Staticworx Knowledge Base

Your trusted source for ESD flooring advice. All your static-control flooring questions answered.

Static Bursts Podcast

Against a dark blue background, the podcast title 'Static Bursts' appears in white at the top of the image, with an orange and white stopwatch icon between the two words. A lightning spark appears at tthe right hand side of the image with a cascade of sparks radiating out across the rest of the image. The company name and logo Staticworx appears in orange (first half) and white (second half) at the bottom.

In our ultra-short Static Bursts podcasts, we talk about all aspects of static-control (ESD) flooring and provide brief answers to the questions we hear most often from clients, architects and contractors. Static Bursts is hosted by Dave Long, founder and president of Staticworx, Inc. For more in-depth information, try our Static Talks podcasts. If you need help or would like to talk with Dave or one of our technical reps, give us a call: 617-923-2000.

If you have a question you’d like us to address, get in touch here.

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In our ultra-short Static Bursts podcasts, we talk about all aspects of static-control (ESD) flooring and provide brief answers to the questions we hear most often from clients, architects and contractors. Static Bursts is hosted by Dave Long, founder and president of Staticworx, Inc. For more in-depth information, try our Static Talks podcasts. If you need help or would like to talk with Dave or one of our technical reps, give us a call: 617-923-2000.

If you have a question you’d like us to address, get in touch here.

Latest Episodes

Meet Your Host: Dave Long

Dave Long - President of StaicworxDave is founder and CEO of Staticworx, Inc., a U.S.-based supplier of static-control flooring products that protect electronic components from harm caused by electrostatic discharge (ESD).

Episode 6: ESD Chairs: A Bridge Between Two Perfect Methods of Grounding

ESD Chairs act as a bridge between an ESD floor and conductive wrist strap, grounding & preventing the seated person from generating a charge.

Image shows a completed ESD carpet flooring installation in an electronics manufacturing and handling facility
Full description
In this episode, Dave and Rick explain how ESD chairs work and why they act as a bridge between two perfect methods of grounding (an ESD floor and wrist strap). The ESD floor grounds and prevents charge generation while people walk. Once the person sits and lifts his or her feet, they are no longer grounded. There may be a wrist strap at the work station, but until the person puts it on they’re a live wire. If they touch a component – or expensive prototype, for example – before putting on the wrist strap, any charge on their body will transfer to the component. ESD chairs ground the person in the chair, prevent charge generation and protecting against random ESD events.
Listen to Episode 6

Submit a Podcast Question

Picture of a microphone against a blurred studio background, with the title 'Suggest a Podcast Static Talks Topic'

Is there a topic you’d like to hear us cover on Static Talks? Call 617-923-2000, email info@staticworx.com, or complete our quick and easy form.

Episode 5: The Importance of Qualifying ESD Flooring

To properly qualify an ESD floor it’s critical to test as a flooring/footwear system and to measure both resistance and charge generation.

Resistance test - system RTG
Full description
Properly qualifying an ESD floor requires more than testing for electrical resistance. We used to believe that the conductivity of a floor predicted its potential for static charge generation. We now know that resistance and charge generation are independent qualities: one does not relate to the other. A floor can be conductive and still generate static electricity. We also know that flooring materials perform differently with different types of footwear. In this episode, Dave and Rick discuss why it’s important to test the floor as part of an integrated ESD flooring/footwear system – and to test for both conductivity and charge generation.
Listen to Episode 5

Episode 5: The Importance of Qualifying ESD Flooring

To properly qualify an ESD floor it’s critical to test as a flooring/footwear system and to measure both resistance and charge generation.

Resistance test - system RTG
Full description
Properly qualifying an ESD floor requires more than testing for electrical resistance. We used to believe that the conductivity of a floor predicted its potential for static charge generation. We now know that resistance and charge generation are independent qualities: one does not relate to the other. A floor can be conductive and still generate static electricity. We also know that flooring materials perform differently with different types of footwear. In this episode, Dave and Rick discuss why it’s important to test the floor as part of an integrated ESD flooring/footwear system – and to test for both conductivity and charge generation.
Listen to Episode 5

Meet Your Host

Dave Long - President of StaicworxDave is founder and CEO of Staticworx, Inc., a U.S.-based supplier of static-control flooring products that protect electronic components from harm caused by electrostatic discharge (ESD).

Older Episodes

Episode 4: Why One Type of ESD Flooring Doesn’t Fit All Applications

There is no one-size-fits-all static-control floor. Materials like ESD vinyl that require ESD footwear will fail in call centers & government offices.

Mission-critical Spaces
Full description
In this short 3-minute episode, Dave and Rick talk about why no single type of ESD flooring material is suitable for every application. Flooring materials like ESD vinyl must be used in conjunction with special ESD footwear. Those materials are unsuitable for facilities in which personnel wear regular street shoes. In spaces where street shoes are allowed – data centers, 9-1-1 call centers and government offices, for instance – the ESD floor must dissipate static to ground and also inhibit static generation in the first place.
Listen to Episode 4

Episode 3: What is ESD Flooring and How Does It Work?

ESD flooring protects electronics from electrostatic discharge. This episode discusses how ESD floors work and the electrical properties it’s crucial to test.

Vermont Collection - ESD Planx
Full description
ESD flooring is a generic term. In this episode, Dave and Rick discuss what people mean by ESD flooring. Dave provides a basic tutorial on how ESD floors work, and why – rather than relying on a manufacturer’s spec sheet – it’s crucial to test the electrical properties of any ESD floor under consideration.
Listen to Episode 3

Episode 2: How to Write Specifications for Static-Control Flooring

Never rely on technical specs from ESD flooring manufacturers. Learn how to write specifications that meet ESD standards and test materials to ensure compliance.

Resistance tests
Full description
In this three-minute episode, Dave and Rick discuss how to write specifications for ESD flooring. Learn why you should never rely solely on technical specifications provided by ESD flooring manufacturers and how properly write specs that comply with industry ESD standards.
Listen to Episode 2

Episode 1: Installing ESD Flooring in a 24/7 facility without disrupting operations.

This 3-minute podcast episode discusses how to install an ESD floor in 24/7 operational spaces without adhesive or chemicals and with neither downtime nor disruption.

Image of a mission critical space with a dispatcher sitting at a console with several monitors
Full description
Installing a floor in a 24/7 operational facility comes with its own set of challenges. As with any flooring installation, it’s important to consider logistics: Will chemicals be used? Adhesives? Coatings? Are there toxins or odors to deal with? What is the condition of the current floor or subfloor? Will the old floor require removal? Dave and Rick discuss the optimal way to install an ESD floor in 24/7 operational spaces – without adhesive or chemicals and with neither downtime nor disruption.
Listen to Episode 1

Episode 4: Why One Type of ESD Flooring Doesn’t Fit All Applications

There is no one-size-fits-all static-control floor. Materials like ESD vinyl that require ESD footwear will fail in call centers & government offices.

Mission-critical Spaces
Full description
In this short 3-minute episode, Dave and Rick talk about why no single type of ESD flooring material is suitable for every application. Flooring materials like ESD vinyl must be used in conjunction with special ESD footwear. Those materials are unsuitable for facilities in which personnel wear regular street shoes. In spaces where street shoes are allowed – data centers, 9-1-1 call centers and government offices, for instance – the ESD floor must dissipate static to ground and also inhibit static generation in the first place.
Listen to Episode 4

Episode 3: What is ESD Flooring and How Does It Work?

ESD flooring protects electronics from electrostatic discharge. This episode discusses how ESD floors work and the electrical properties it’s crucial to test.

Resistance tests
Full description
ESD flooring is a generic term. In this episode, Dave and Rick discuss what people mean by ESD flooring. Dave provides a basic tutorial on how ESD floors work, and why – rather than relying on a manufacturer’s spec sheet – it’s crucial to test the electrical properties of any ESD floor under consideration.
Listen to Episode 3

Episode 2: How to Write Specifications for Static-Control Flooring

Never rely on technical specs from ESD flooring manufacturers. Learn how to write specifications that meet ESD standards and test materials to ensure compliance.

Resistance tests
Full description
In this three-minute episode, Dave and Rick discuss how to write specifications for ESD flooring. Learn why you should never rely solely on technical specifications provided by ESD flooring manufacturers and how properly write specs that comply with industry ESD standards.
Listen to Episode 2

Episode 1: Installing ESD Flooring in a 24/7 facility without disrupting operations.

This 3-minute podcast episode discusses how to install an ESD floor in 24/7 operational spaces without adhesive or chemicals and with neither downtime nor disruption.

Image of a mission critical space with a dispatcher sitting at a console with several monitors
Full description
Installing a floor in a 24/7 operational facility comes with its own set of challenges. As with any flooring installation, it’s important to consider logistics: Will chemicals be used? Adhesives? Coatings? Are there toxins or odors to deal with? What is the condition of the current floor or subfloor? Will the old floor require removal? Dave and Rick discuss the optimal way to install an ESD floor in 24/7 operational spaces – without adhesive or chemicals and with neither downtime nor disruption.
Listen to Episode 1

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Have you tried our Static Talks podcast?

In our monthly Static Talks podcasts – hosted by Staticworx president, Dave Long – we discuss pertinent issues related to static control flooring as well as how to minimize damage to electronic equipment due to static discharge in the workplace. While discussions focus on static control flooring, we also address related issues such as why flooring installations sometimes fail; the reasons to beware of moisture in concrete subfloors; how to qualify and test static control flooring – and other questions frequently raised by architects, contractors, and end-user clients.

Episode 1: Avoid Flooring Failure: What to Know Before Installing Static-control Flooring Over Concrete

Moisture and humidity cause most flooring failures. In this episode, learn strategies for recognizing and solving the problem in new construction, renovations, and occupied spaces.

Flooring being peeled back to show how moisture has badly affected the adhesive
Full description
Moisture problems are the #1 cause of failed flooring installations.

Often the result of aquifers or other environmental conditions, moisture may be invisible. So how do you know if you have a moisture problem?

Once you’ve identified the problem, how do you fix it? What if you choose to ignore high moisture readings? If you’re in a 24/7 operational facility – call or data center, 9-1-1 dispatch, flight tower or other critical space – how do you solve a moisture problem – adhesive breakdown, for example – without shutting down or compromising your core mission?

Listen to Episode 1

Episode 2: Why Do You Recommend Static-dissipative Flooring For Some Applications & Conductive For Others?

Standards for ESD flooring vary by industry. In this episode, learn what the standards are, which applications they apply to and why they’re important. 

Ohm Meter
Full description
Have you ever wondered why we recommend static-dissipative flooring for some applications and conductive for others? Shouldn’t both types of flooring work for any application? No, because electrical standards vary by industry.

In episode 2 of Static Talks, Dave and Rick discuss the technical difference between static-dissipative and conductive floors. Standards for flight towers, communications facilities and other end-user applications require flooring with electrical resistance measuring between 1.0 x 10E6 and 1.0 x 10E9. Standards for electronics manufacturing, however, allow for any floor measuring below 1.0 x 10E9. Dave explains why it’s important to know and follow industry standards for the specific application where the ESD floor will be installed.

Listen to Episode 2

Video Library

Interested in our videos? Check out our comprehensive video library.
Video Library

With Staticworx ESD flooring, you never have to choose between performance and aesthetics. Our beautiful, high quality ESD carpet tile, vinyl, EC rubber tile and sheet goods, and ESD epoxy floors are as beautiful as they are functional.

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Standards and Test Methods