F.A.Q. Raised Access Flooring Systems

WHAT IS A RAISED ACCESS FLOOR?

A raised access floor consists of identical and independent horizontal panels supported by vertical pedestals adjustable in height which provide space under the flooring to house the required installations. There is quick accessibility to the installations because it is easily detachable.

WHEN IS A RAISED ACCESS FLOOR USED?

Raised access floor systems are used in very variety of areas. Some examples are:

Administrative offices : Banking, governmental, insurance, corporative etc.

High-Tech and Computer management purposes : Data center, Call center, Hospital and Clean room

WHICH ARE THE KEY ELEMENTS OF RAISED ACCESS FLOOR?

Panels : Raised access floor horizontal element to step on of various size 500, 600, 610mm. There are different sort of panels according to their materials, which will make their technical characteristics different.

Pedestals : Vertical component of the structure the height of which can be regulated to the most suitable ranging from 100mm to 1500mm.

Stringers : Metallic part that joins the pedestal heads in a horizontal way creating a rigid loading structure.

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS TO BE NOTED WHEH CHOOSING A RAISED ACCESS FLOOR?

Heavy load resistance, Height and site operation purposes.

WHAT TYPE OF RAISED ACCESS FLOOR ARE AVAILABLE?

There are two basic groups of raised access floor system available each with their own advantages :

Steel encased woodcore panel. This panel comprises of a high density particle board core encased by hot-galvanized steel laminated so It is an ideal construction materials for a most economical solution as well as these panels provide excellent rigidity, durability, acoustic and the best flatness performance compare to other existing OA floor systmes such as steel cementitious panel and mineral panels.

Aluminum die casted panel. All aluminum die cast floor panels are used in high-tech environments where the highest loading capacities required such as semiconductor, microelectronic, biomedical, pharmaceutical and laboratory facilities etc.

IS THERE ANY REGULATION FOR RAISED ACCESS FLOOR SYSTEMS?

Europe and most of Asian countries around the world follow the UNE-EN (DIN) 12825 raised access floor systems. It is the most frequent one used in western and eastern markets.

Other regulation still in use is :

• CISCA : It is used at north-American markets.
• JIS A 1450 : It is used at Japanese markets.
• BSEN 12835 CISCA : It is used at the British Market.