In spite of the rapid advancements in machinery and other forms of technology that have occurred over the course of this century, the criteria for maintaining raised floor systems have not changed over the course of this century. A raised floor system requires appropriate maintenance on both the structural and environmental levels in order to function properly. Care for the structure itself, such as thorough cleaning, care for the environment, such as preventing contamination, and care for the environment, such as replacing raised floor tiles as they become worn out, are all included.
Why Do You Keep Raised Flooring System?
If you want to get the most value out of your investment in access floor tiles, performing routine maintenance on it is absolutely necessary. It not only solves many of the problems that can lead to the raised floor and the delicate equipment that it safeguards deteriorating, but it also safeguards your investment. The following is a list of important information that must be kept in mind:
- Static electricity won’t be able to escape from your raised floor tiles if there is a buildup of wax on them
- The surface of the floor can be harmed by dust and dirt, and as a consequence, sensitive equipment may also sustain damage
- Your underfloor air system has the capability of easily sweeping up accumulated contaminants such as concrete dust, sand, and carbon particles, and transporting them into the equipment
- This capability allows your system to function more effectively
- When individual components of a system, such as wobbly raised floor tiles or dangling edge trim, are present, the overall system is less stable
- This is because the presence of these components increases the likelihood that someone will trip over the system
Taking Care of the Ceramic Tiles on the Raise Floors
The upkeep of the raised floor tiles themselves is one of the areas that requires your attention first and foremost and is one of the areas that calls for your attention. Restoring tiles that have delaminated and replacing edge trim and panels that have warped are both included in this process.
You are able to still place an order for replacement panels that will not result in the grid shifting laterally even if you have a system that has become obsolete since its introduction. There are a few companies that can re-laminate broken floor tiles, match the color of the floor tiles that are already installed in your computer, and ship replacement components. These services can be found on the internet.
When it comes to properly caring for the floor tiles in your computer, having a cleaning routine that is both thorough and consistent is an additional essential component. It is recommended that carpet panels be vacuumed at least three times per week with a machine that has a static dissipating rod attached to it. Waxing the access floors is never a good idea. It is possible for these important properties to be lost if the surface of the high-pressure laminate is not kept clean on a consistent basis. One of the reasons why high-pressure laminate is frequently used in close proximity to sensitive equipment is because of its ability to dissipate static electricity.
Never apply wax directly to the surface of the raised floor system, as any lingering wax quickly ages these systems and needs to be removed. Never apply wax directly to the surface of the raised floor system. Nevertheless, using a wax remover that is available for purchase will cause the panels to delaminate, which will result in an even more significant problem.
Repairs and Maintenance of the Subfloor
1. If the subfloor is not properly maintained, it is possible that not only the vertical stability, but also other components of the building’s structure could be jeopardized
2. In addition to this, there is a possibility that it will obstruct the cooling fans of the equipment, produce particulates that are detrimental to the equipment, and pose a risk of fire
3. Due to the fact that the area under the floor is quite cramped, the task of cleaning it is one that is not at all pleasurable but one that must be completed nonetheless
The fact that you can never remove more than two raised floor tiles that are adjacent to one another at once and that there must always be four in place before you can remove another two makes maintenance even more difficult. Utilize a vacuum that is equipped with a HEPA filter in order to eliminate the risk of reintroducing dust and dirt into the area after it has been cleaned.
Structural Maintenance
As part of the preventative maintenance required for the structure, you should have a qualified Raised Floor Technician inspect your raised floor at least once per year. In addition, you ought to move the computer floor tiles between high-traffic areas and low-traffic areas at least twice a year, alternating between the two. It is also recommended that an annual readjustment of the understructure be performed in order to address any structural issues and maintain compliance with the parameters specified by the manufacturer. In addition to this, it is essential to replace any components that have been damaged, including stringers, edge trim, pedestals, and stringer gaskets. In order to ensure that the system continues to function properly, it is essential to replace any tiles that have been damaged and either install new ones or re-laminate the ones that have been replaced.
One of the most common problems that can develop with a building is known as lateral instability. This issue manifests itself when the floor system becomes loose and unstable, and there are gaps between the panels. This is typically the result of missing edge trim, loose lateral braces, incorrect cutouts, or the omission of panels, and it can result in serious structural damage, the possibility of debris falling into the underfloor space, and a reduction in the plenum pressure created by air conditioning. In addition, the omission of panels can result in a reduction in the plenum pressure created by air conditioning.
On the other hand, vertical instability happens when the floor panels sway and do not rest securely on the grid system. This can lead to serious structural damage. When weight is applied to the system, this results in the panels moving in an upward and downward motion. This structural issue is frequently brought about when gaskets, stringers, or pedestal pads are not present. It can also be caused by allowing dirt or debris to build up on the pedestals or grids, as well as in the area below the floor. It is also possible that the problem was caused by warped floor tiles or swollen woodcore tiles. Another possibility is that the pedestal was leaning at an angle. This issue not only results in a significant trip hazard, but it also causes debris to fall through the subfloor and circulate through the air conditioning, which has the potential to permanently damage the panels.
As can be seen, the failure to maintain raised floor systems at the appropriate level can have severe repercussions for the business. Even though most raised floors are designed to last for a very long time, they still need to be maintained on a routine basis. This involves having both the floor surface and the subfloor cleaned, as well as making any structural adjustments that may be required. This is done to make certain that an optimal environment is maintained, not only for the personnel but also for the sensitive equipment.
