Floor care professionals working in these sensitive environments should have a basic understanding of static dissipative floor care products and procedures. Technically an electrostatic discharge is defined as a transfer of electrostatic charge between two bodies at different electrostatic potentials caused by direct contact or induced by an electrostatic field. If we approach or touch an object with a lower electrostatic potential then the static electricity discharges from our body into the object. Conductive flooring is sometimes used in areas sensitive to electrostatic discharge. These specialty floors are manufactured using conductive materials to create a pathway for electrical charges to be grounded.
Conductive floors help prevent electrostatic discharge in two primary ways.
First, by minimizing the build-up of static electricity on the floor. And second, by dissipating static charges from people or objects that come in contact with the floor. Although conductive floors help control ESD they do not eliminate it. Standard vinyl or vinyl composition tiles are frequently installed. It is important to use static dissipative products to maintain non-conductive floors in these sensitive areas.