EcoTile Floor Tiles & Static Shocks! |
Ecotile as a floor product cannot and will not generate static by itself, it will be caused by a combination of events including the type of activity taking place on site, what other equipment or machinery, packaging materials or processes are being carried out, the operative footwear, atmospheric conditions or any combination of any of these circumstances. If you have only started to experience the static shocks since installing your new ecotile floor the chances are that your old floor was either concrete or wood, materials that have hygroscopic properties (i.e. will attract moisture from the air), the moisture helps minimise the build-up of static. If your operatives wear footwear with insulative soles such as trainers or rubber soled safety boots they may be building up static in their bodies caused by the friction created between the insulative sole of their footwear and the ecotile.
Immediate Solutions
1. Touch a metal object using another metal object to release static discharge. This allows sparks from the discharge to affect the metal object, and not your skin. For example, touch a doorknob using a key instead of your hand at first to lower the risk for electric shock.
2. Avoid wearing clothing made from wool and synthetic fabrics. Wool and synthetic fabrics such as polyester, rayon, and spandex are more prone to rub together and create friction and static electricity.
3. Wear Antistatic (also called low charging) footwear or use heel straps or a wrist strap will help reduce electrostatic build-up between the operative and the floor and will help dissipate electrostatic charges.
4. Increase humidity levels in your environment. Dry, cold environments with low humidity levels generate a higher level of static electricity. Consider using a humidifier in your home or office to achieve between 35 and 50 percent humidity.
5. If you have specific problems with a machine, filing cabinet etc. make sure that the metal surface is earthed, alternatively ground the static by touching a grounded appliance, wiring a ground circuit, or by applying a neutralizing charge. Static only accumulates and causes a problem in areas where the charge cannot escape.
Long Term Solutions:
6. Use the correct cleaning and maintenance routine – Clean and maintain the floor using ecotile’s recommend anti-static cleaner. Mix with water at 20:1 and use as your daily or weekly cleaning regime. The cleaning chemical will leave an anti-static residue on the surface of the tile that will reduce the risk of static build up. (Please see EcoTile Cleaning Guidelines).
7. Alternatively, apply our ESD floor polish to the tiles to create and ESD / Static Dissipative floor Surface. (Please see EcoTile Cleaning Guidelines).
If you require any further advice or assistance, please contact ourTechnical department on 01582 788232
Lucinda O’Reilly, Exports & Marketing Director is an integral part of the team that has grown Ecotile Flooring in to the successful manufacturing business it is today. Over the last 20 years she has successfully employed her skills in sales and marketing to ensure Ecotile Flooring is recognised as the market leading manufacturer of PVC interlocking floor tiles. Lucinda’s love of travel means the Ecotile brand is dominant all over Europe, North America, the Middle East, Asia and India.
To ensure compliance with export regulations Lucinda has gained accreditations from the Chamber of Commerce in Incoterms & Export Licence Controls and Export Procedures & Documentation and has completed the Institute of Export course on Incoterms 2020. She is a member of the Institute of Export, was a finalist in the Natwest Open to Export competition in 2018 and was instrumental in Ecotile Flooring winning a Queen’s Enterprise for International Trade in 2017. Lucinda has recently been interviewed by BBC News and Channel 4 News for her insights on Brexit and is an Export Champion for the Department for International Trade.
