In simple terms, static electricity is a natural phenomenon that occurs when there is an excess of energy in a specific object or material. It manifests when this charge is transferred from one object to another, resulting in an electric discharge.
According to Zhong Lin Wang, a physicist at the Beijing Nano-energy and Nano-systems Institute, “What an average person walks in a day can generate approximately 67 watts of static power. And if you take into account the movement of the whole body, it can reach 100 watts.”
However, that electric charge can be dissipated if the person wears antistatic footwear or no footwear at all, as long as the surface they are walking on allows the electricity to be directed to the ground.
What are conductive floors for?
Conductive floors reduce the electrical resistance of the floor, allowing electricity to dissipate easily and thus preventing strong discharges in the form of electrical arcs produced by static energy.
In the industrial world, conductive floors are essential for controlling electrostatic charges that can potentially damage electronic components and, in certain cases, even prevent fires when working with flammable materials.
All the aforementioned characteristics are present in hospitals and other healthcare-related spaces, with the added complexity of dealing with the health and well-being of the individuals visiting these institutions.
Regulations in Colombia for conductive floors
In Colombia, resolutions 4445 of 1996, 2003 of 2014 and 3100 of 2019, issued by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, establish the conditions that the infrastructure of all healthcare service providers must meet.
Regarding conductive floors, article 25 of resolution 4445 of 1996 states in one of its points that:
“They must be constructed with conductive materials connected to the grounding pole in rooms exposed to the presence of flammable gases, when electronic devices are present, and interference in their operation may occur.”
To comply with these specific guidelines, a very good option is conductive vinyl flooring, ideal for controlling electrical loads in different installations. At IASS, we handle the guidelines required for conductive floors. Contact us!
