Berwyn Epoxy Flooring installs ESD flooring in Berwyn, IL, serving surrounding cities including Forest Park, Lyons, Brookfield, River Forest and Summit. Static-control floors are specialized work, and in our 20+ years of resin flooring we have learned that the floor is only part of the answer: it has to be specified, installed and tested as part of a system that includes the people walking on it.
An ESD floor carries electrostatic charge away from people and equipment so it does not discharge into sensitive electronics. The proposal names the conductive primer, the grounding points, the ESD coating, the target resistance range and how the floor will be tested at hand-off.
As with every floor we install, the slab is mechanically prepared and moisture tested first. Conductive systems depend on solid contact with a clean slab and correctly placed grounding, and no amount of coating makes up for a poor start.
Understanding ESD Floor Requirements
ANSI/ESD S20.20 and the Floor-Footwear System
ANSI/ESD S20.20 is the standard most electronics programs follow for static control. For a floor used as a primary grounding path, it sets two requirements for the person, footwear and floor together: system resistance less than 1.0 x 10^9 ohms, and body voltage generation below 100 volts as measured under ANSI/ESD STM97.2.
That means the floor is tested with the footwear your staff will actually use. A floor that tests well alone can fail with the wrong shoes, and the reverse is also true.
Conductive Versus Static-Dissipative
Under ANSI/ESD STM7.1, a conductive floor measures at or below 1.0 x 10^6 ohms to ground, and a static-dissipative floor sits in a higher resistance range. Conductive floors drain charge faster, while dissipative floors drain it more gradually.
The right choice depends on your program, the devices being handled and sometimes the equipment manufacturer’s specifications. We work from your written spec, and if you do not have one, we help you identify who in your organization sets it.
Who Needs an ESD Floor
Electronics assembly and repair, testing labs, server and data rooms, medical device work and certain research spaces are the usual candidates. Some areas handling flammable materials also use conductive floors to reduce spark risk.
If you are not sure whether your space needs static control, the people who run your quality or safety program should make that call. We can explain the options and what each involves.
How an ESD Floor Is Built
Mechanical Preparation
The slab is diamond ground or shot blasted to the profile the system manufacturer calls for. Old coatings, sealers and adhesives are removed completely so nothing insulating sits under the new floor.
Cracks and joints are repaired and ground flush. A smooth, flat base also helps the conductive layers go down evenly.
Conductive Primer and Grounding Points
A conductive primer is applied over the prepared slab, and copper grounding strips or plates are installed at intervals and connected to the building ground. The grounding layout is planned to the size and shape of the protected area.
These hidden layers are what make the floor work. If grounding points are missing or poorly connected, the surface can look perfect and still fail testing.
ESD Body and Topcoats
The ESD body coat contains conductive materials that carry charge from the surface down to the primer and grounding. Some systems also use a conductive or dissipative topcoat for wear. The thickness and number of coats follow the manufacturer’s system, which is written into the proposal so it can be verified.
Static-Control Floors by Type of Space
Electronics Assembly and Repair Benches
Assembly lines and repair benches are where most charged-device damage happens, often without any visible spark or sensation. A static-control floor lets people move freely between stations while staying grounded, instead of relying only on wrist straps at the bench. We coordinate the floor layout with your bench grounding, so mats, straps and the floor share a common ground point rather than competing paths.
Server Rooms and Data Closets
Server and network rooms in older commercial buildings are often carved out of former offices or storage, with whatever floor was already there. Static-dissipative flooring in those rooms reduces the charge technicians carry in when they open racks. These rooms are usually small and cannot go offline for long, so we plan grinding and coating around maintenance windows with dust control sealed at the door.
Labs and Clean Work Areas
Research and testing labs often need a seamless, chemical-resistant floor that also controls static. Many ESD resin systems combine both, with coved bases available where washdown or spill containment matters. We confirm chemical resistance against the materials used in your lab before the system is chosen, alongside the resistance range your program requires.
Moisture and Slab Conditions
Testing Before Installation
Many older buildings near Berwyn have slabs on grade without a vapor retarder. Moisture moving through the slab can cause blistering and disbonding, which in an ESD floor also interrupts the conductive path. We test with ASTM F2170 relative humidity probes or ASTM F1869 calcium chloride kits before specifying a system and compare the readings with the manufacturer’s limits.
Moisture-Mitigation Options
If moisture readings are high, a moisture-mitigation primer may be required beneath the ESD system. Not every mitigation primer is compatible with every conductive system, so we confirm compatibility with the manufacturer. We explain the warranty impact of moisture before work begins, because moisture is the leading exclusion in coating warranties.
Testing, Hand-Off and Upkeep
Resistance Testing at Completion
After the floor cures, we measure resistance to ground at multiple points across the floor and record the results. Where your program requires it, testing is done with the footwear your staff uses. You receive a written record of the readings, the system installed and the grounding locations, which helps with audits and future maintenance.
Cleaning Without Insulating the Floor
Waxes, floor finishes and some cleaners leave an insulating film on an ESD floor and raise its resistance. We provide a cleaning program using products approved for ESD surfaces. Regular resistance checks show whether the floor is still performing, and a drop in performance is often traced to cleaning products rather than the floor itself.
Scheduling Around Operations
ESD areas are often part of active production or IT spaces. We plan installation around shutdowns, overnight hours or weekends and phase larger floors so operations can continue. The schedule and cure times are included in the proposal so you can plan equipment moves and staff accordingly.
- 20+ Years Coating Floors
- Moisture Tested Before Quoting
- Free Written Estimates