Frequently Asked Questions

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Q. What is a raised access floor system?
A. A raised access floor comprises of load bearing floor panels laid in a horizontal grid supported by adjustable vertical pedestals to provide an under floor space for the housing and distribution of services.
The floor panels are readily removable to allow quick access to the under floor services.

Q. What are the key components of a raised access floor system?
A. The key components of a raised access flooring system can be defined as follows;-

Floor Panel
This is the horizontal load bearing component of a raised floor. It is normally 600mm square (industry standard module size) but can be 500mm or 750mm square or of a special project related size if required.

These sizes are nominal sizes and clarification should be sought from the manufacturer as to their stated panel size and tolerances. These floor panels will be supplied as either bare finished to accept a carpet tile finish on site or, with a factory bonded finish.

Pedestal
This is the complete vertical, adjustable supporting structure to the raised floor panels. The pedestals are normally bonded to the sub floor using a epoxy resin based adhesive with mechanical fixings also provided if required. The pedestal assembly provides vertical adjustment of 40mm to allow the raised floor to be installed flat and level despite undulations in the sub floor. The pedestal head provides panel location and also when required a means of fixing the panel to the pedestal head.

Stringer
This is a horizontal component that connects pedestals together. It connects to the pedestal head and is used to provide additional lateral support at greater floor height and/or increase the structural
performance of the raised floor system.

Bridging Beams
Loads bearing component used to accommodate situations where pedestals cannot be located in their normal positions due to under floor service runs.

Q. Why and where did raised access floors originate?
A. In the 1960s we saw the first use of the first raised access floor in this country and, depending on who you talk to, some say it was IBM and others say it was the BBC who were the pioneers in this country. The problem was- How to get the masses of cables to our equipment safely and flexibly? The answer was and continues to be – raised access flooring.

Q. Where is a raised access floor used?
A. Raised access flooring is used today in a wide range of situations where there is a significant level of building services. Examples include:

• Financial and Insurance offices where there is a need for a significant level of computer/telecom equipment.
• National and Local Government offices, again there is a need for a significant level of computer/telecom equipment.
• General administration buildings across the complete range of industries where the use of computer/telecom equipment is widespread.
• Call Centres. Office environments set up to handle large-scale customer enquires thereby requiring significant levels of computer/telecom equipment.
• Data processing centres. Large scale computer rooms set up for the processing of electronic data e.g. customer information, financial information.
• Telecom switch centres. Old mechanical telephone exchanges now replaced by electronic switch facilities. Also new mobile technology requires new electronic switch facilities.
• Distribution centres. These facilities distribute a vast range of fast moving consumer goods with order processing and such activities handled in a modern office environment.
• Educational facilities. Raised flooring used in specific learning areas in schools, universities etc. Also used in library and major archive areas.
  
• Retail facilities such as major department stores increasingly using raised floors surfaced with special finishes.
• Industries requiring clean room facilities such as electronic and pharmaceutical.
• Light industrial and specialist industries where flexibility and the use of under floor services would be advantageous.