ESD (ElectroStatic Discharge) flooring is a type of covering specifically designed to avoid or control electrostatic discharges. This phenomenon, often imperceptible to the naked eye or to the touch, can nevertheless cause significant damage, particularly in the industrial, electronic and medical sectors, or in explosive environments classified as ATEX.

But why can a simple floor covering play such a decisive role? Because it is the last line of defence between the electrostatic charges accumulated by people or equipment, and the sensitive devices or substances present in the working environment.

Understanding the phenomenon of electrostatic discharge

Electrostatic discharge occurs when a person or object carrying an electrical charge comes into contact with, or approaches, another object with a different potential. This shock, although sometimes imperceptible, can have catastrophic consequences in sensitive environments: alteration or destruction of electronic components, interruption of production, ignition of flammable dusts or vapors, technical failures, etc.

It's important to remember that humans don't usually feel a shock until it reaches 3,000 volts... but some electronic components, such as semiconductors, can be damaged by as little as 100 volts. Hence the importance of ESD protection, and the floor is a central element in this safety chain.

The strategic role of soil in an ESD zone

An ESD floor covering doesn't just attenuate charges: it actively participates in their dissipation, allowing them to be conducted to earth. This makes it an essential electrostatic protection tool in any EPA (Electrostatic Protected Area) environment.

Unlike a simple antistatic floor, which only limits the accumulation of charges, the ESD floor actively conducts electricity to an earthing point via a system of copper strips and an electrical connection kit. This ensures rapid, controlled evacuation of any charge generated by the movement of people, machinery or materials.

In which environments is an ESD floor recommended?

ESD flooring is strongly recommended, if not mandatory, in many sectors:

• Electronics and microtechnology industries: to prevent damage to components during assembly.
• Pharmaceuticals and hospitals: to preserve the reliability of equipment (MRI, operating theatres) and avoid contamination.
• Chemical and petrochemical industry: to reduce the risk of explosion in the presence of volatile products.
• Aeronautics, space and defense: to guarantee the reliability of critical components and prevent failure due to overvoltage.

Clean rooms and clean areas: where the slightest spark or particle can compromise hygiene or the results of manufacturing processes.

ESD flooring is often confused with antistatic flooring. Yet the differences are fundamental:

• Antistatic flooring prevents the accumulation of charges, but does not conduct them to earth. It is useful for avoiding shocks to the hand, improving user comfort or limiting dust attraction.
• ESD flooring, meanwhile, limits charges and drains them effectively to earth. It complies with strict standards such as IEC 61340 or EN 1081, which require electrical resistivity measurements of less than 10⁹ ohms.

In short: all ESD floors are antistatic, but not all antistatic floors are ESD.

Standards for ESD-compliant flooring

Choosing an ESD floor covering is more than just laying it. It must meet precise standards:

• IEC 61340-5-1: the international reference standard for ESD zones.
• EN 1081: European standard for measuring the electrical resistivity of soils.
• ANSI/ESD S20.20: American standard widely used in the electronics industry.

According to the adopted standard, an ESD floor must guarantee an earthing resistance of less than 10⁹ Ohms and, in some cases, less than 10⁸ Ohms, or even 10⁶ Ohms for critical applications.

Choosing an ESD floor means :

• Protect your electronic equipment and avoid production losses.
• Meet regulatory and standards requirements.
• Keeping people safe, especially in high-risk environments.
• Extend the lifespan of equipment and infrastructure.
• Gain peace of mind and compliance during quality audits or certifications.

Once the need for an ESD floor has been established, the key step is to choose the flooring. Not all ESD floors are created equal, and your decision must take into account the constraints of your environment, the intensity of traffic, the level of protection required, as well as long-term maintenance.

The main ESD coating families

1. PVC ESD clip-on tiles

Conductive PVC clip-on tiles are among the most widely used solutions. Sturdy, easy to install and maintain, they are perfectly suited to industrial environments where business interruptions must be kept to a minimum.

Advantages:

• Quick glueless installation (can be done in the field)
• Excellent mechanical resistance (foot and light vehicle traffic)
• Simple maintenance
• Easy replacement of damaged tiles

Application example: An electronics maintenance workshop can install 100 m² of ESD floor clip-on tiles in a single day, without stopping production.

2. Conductive vinyl rolls

ESD roller coatings are recommended for cleaner environments, such as laboratories, hospitals or areas with controlled atmospheres.

Advantages:

• Smooth aesthetic finish
• Easy to clean (no gaskets)
• Good flatness

Limits:

• Longer installation times (gluing required)
• Rigorous soil preparation
• Less suitable for mechanical environments or heavy loads

3. ESD floors in epoxy resin or polyurethane

These cast coatings offer very high chemical resistance and a homogeneous finish. They are generally used in the pharmaceutical, chemical and food industries.

Advantages:

• Extreme resistance to wear and chemicals
• Seamless surface = perfect hygiene
• Very professional appearance

Limits:

• Time-consuming and costly installation
• Mandatory production shutdown for several days
• More complex compensation in the event of damage

Installation: key points to bear in mind

Whatever type of ESD floor you choose, the quality of the installation is crucial to guaranteeing its performance:

• Mandatory grounding via copper strap and grounding kit
• Electrical continuity test between tiles/rollers and earth point
• Use ESD-compatible adhesives and accessories
• Post-installation validation by resistance and electrostatic charge test

The ESD system is always comprehensive: the floor alone is not enough. It must be integrated into a strategy that includes ESD shoes, conductive work surfaces, wristbands, etc.

Successful integration case study: cleanroom & electronics

In an electronic board production room, the ESD floor chosen was a Gerflor vinyl roll, combined with grounding strips every 2 meters. The result: fewer rejects and zero breakdowns due to static electricity over 18 months.

ESD floor installation, care and maintenance: what you need to know

Installing an ESD floor requires rigor, meticulous preparation and a perfect understanding of electrostatic standards. Unlike traditional floors, these technical floor coverings need to be installed correctly to guarantee their effectiveness in dissipating electrostatic charges.

Preparing the substrate: an essential step

Before installation, the substrate must be dry, clean, even and sound. Adhesive residues, cracks, moisture or irregularities can compromise the effectiveness of the ESD coating. A poorly prepared floor can lead to insulating zones, preventing the proper dissipation of loads.

➡️ It is therefore essential to :

• Level off if necessary,
• Measure humidity with a hygrometer,
• Clean and sand to ensure adhesion.

Grounding: an absolute must

An ESD floor only works if it is connected to a ground. This ground allows accumulated charges to evacuate quickly, thus avoiding electrostatic discharges (ESD) which can damage equipment or endanger people.

💡 In practice:

• Conductive copper strips are applied to the substrate.
• They are connected to a certified earthing system.
• A check with an ohmmeter should be made after installation (values below 10⁹ Ohms).

Choosing the right installation method

Depending on the type of ESD floor, the installation method differs:

• ESD clip-on tiles: floating installation, no glue required. Extremely practical for active environments and renovation projects. Quick, modular installation.
• ESD glue-on rolls: require conductive glue. Joints are heat-welded to ensure perfect electrical continuity.
• ESD resins: applied in several coats (primer, conductive, finish). Longer application, with longer drying time. Recommended for high-stress areas.

ESD floor maintenance: don't neglect the routine

Unsuitable maintenance can cancel out the antistatic properties of the coating. It's crucial to choose compatible products and adopt a rigorous routine.

✅ To be preferred :

• Neutral detergents without silicone, wax or film-forming agents.
• Scrubbers with powerful suction.
• Manual washing with microfibres for small areas.

❌ To avoid:

• Aggressive or acidic products.
• Detergents containing insulating agents.
• Allow water to stagnate.

Regular maintenance and checks

To ensure compliance and durability of the ESD coating, it is recommended to :

• Carry out an annual soil/ground resistance audit.
• Check connections to copper strips.
• Check conductivity at various points.

If a tile is damaged, it can easily be replaced. For rollers, spot repair by welding is possible. In the event of major deterioration, a new topcoat can be applied to ESD resins.

🛠️ If the environment is modified (new equipment, change of logistics flow, etc.), compliance must be verified. The floor is an integral part of an overall antistatic ecosystem, including ESD footwear, earthed work surfaces, wristbands, gloves and suitable PPE.