Small-Scale Erosion, Big Impact: Protecting Your Raised Floor Panels

Managing micro-scale erosion on raised floor panel surfaces

Why does the surface on a raised floor panel wear? There are a number of causes but the main cause is the lack of periodic rotation of panels as part of an ongoing maintenance program.

This problem starts to originate with repetitive actions. High traffic areas such as in front of the server cabinets, operation consoles, or walkways are always the first place where a wear pattern will emerge.

The lack of periodic rotation of panels makes this issue worsen over time.

Picture this: Six people sitting 8 to 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They have dirt or sand on their shoes brought in to their environment. They prop their feet on the chair base as this debris falls off on to the floor. Then they roll across the floor as the chair casters go back and forth performing tasks as this surface debris grinds into the high pressure laminate. This surface debris is highly abrasive to flooring surfaces. A wear pattern starts to form. After time, it erodes all the layers of the high pressure laminate and eventually the steel top sheet of the panel will be revealed.

The impact of uneven wear on raised floor panels is both significant and multifaceted. The primary concern is the degradation of the panels' static dissipative properties. When thin decorative top wear layer erodes, the panel's ability to dissipate static diminishes. Once this layer wears down sufficiently, it reveals the brown kraft paper-like underlayment beneath, characterized by its brown paper bag appearance on the panel surface. (See image above) This not only detracts from the floor's visual appeal but will need to be replaced. This accelerated wear and tear will quickly age the entire floor system.

To correct and prevent the issue of uneven wear, several strategies are recommended. Panel rotation is the first line of defense. It is a very effective approach. By regularly changing the position of the panels, wear can be distributed more evenly across the floor, extending the life of each floor panel. Floor mats strategically placed, at entrance ways and console locations where traffic is high, can significantly reduce wear. In cases where wear is beyond preventive measures, replacing the affected panels will be necessary to restore the floor system's functionality and appearance.

Many people think getting a thicker laminate on their floor panels will solve this issue. It will not. High pressure laminate is made up of layers of decorative and kraft paper, saturated with high performance resins, and fused at high temperatures and pressure. It has two different thickness available, 1/16" or 1/8". The actual top decorative layer is the same for either thickness. The difference between the thicknesses is the number of kraft paper used under the decorative layer. So getting a thicker laminate won't solve this problem.

When you see this problem begin on your raised floor, take immediate action. The importance of recognizing these early signs of uneven wear and taking proactive steps will ensure the longevity of your access floor.

Next week, we will cover untrimmed cutouts. One little piece of trim protects so much. We will learn how.