Recently, SelecTech founder Thomas Ricciardelli was highlighted in Lab Manager Magazine. While we won’t spoil the fun, here is a sneak peek of what readers can expect. Covering everything from access floor selection to VOCs, Tom has your answers.
“How often do you think about the floor in your lab? As a lab manager, you should probably be thinking about your flooring more than you do – particularly when you consider the ergonomic impact on your staff and the impact flooring can have on our back or feet after a long day of standing; or if there’s a spill or some other risk of contamination. Perhaps, even more so if an expensive piece of lab equipment is damaged by the static electricity in the lab. Then, flooring becomes extremely important.”
Do you require slip resistance?
You don’t want anyone to slip in your lab, so obviously, you want to select a tile with slip resistance. Some environments may, however, need greater slip resistance. If your facility requires a greater level of slip resistance then you will want to steer clear of slick materials like epoxies. Seek out products that provide more secure footing. For example, tiles that utilize a coin-top texture can offer better slip resistance.
What chemicals should you test your access floor for?
The SEFA guide – Scientific Equipment & Furniture Association SEFA 8-M-2010 Recommended Practices for Metal Laboratory Grade Furniture, Casework, Shelving and Tables – refers to 49 chemicals to test for your lab furniture, casework, shelving, and tables. A chemical can splash on the floor as easily as any of those surfaces, right? But does that mean you have to test your flooring for all 49 chemicals? Yes and no.
It really depends on our comfort level and current and future work being done in your lab. If you think it’s possible your floor could be exposed to a certain chemical now or down the road, test for it.
Do you require the access flooring to be portable for reconfigurations or future moves?
Expansions, downsizing, or relocation to a new facility are just some of the reasons why companies want a flooring they can move. When you choose a glue-down option for flooring, you sacrifice portability. Glued down tiles can’t, and shouldn’t, be removed and used again.
There are flooring products available that utilize an interlocking system, so the flooring can be moved should your lab or cleanroom need to move to another location.
If there is an existing floor, do you want to install without removing it?
One of the beauties of interlock flooring is it can be installed over existing flooring. Some facilities managers prefer flooring that requires an adhesive. In that scenario, removing the old flooring first is recommended. You can choose to take on the expense of floor removal. It’s just not preferable.
For more expert advise on choosing the best access flooring for your laboratory or healthcare environment, read Tom’s full article at Lab Manager Magazine. However, if you’re ready to make the investment with the most innovative access floor solutions in the industry, contact the experts at SelecTech today by calling (508) 583-3200.
