As technologies change and buildings continue to evolve, infrastructure has made gigantic strides. In order to meet these ever-changing needs, versatile performance and design, sustainability and adaptability are becoming paramount in the construction industry. Things were much simpler in the past, with limited choices available. These days, tech is much more advanced and innovative, and there are many options to choose from.
Since you are here, we assume you are interested in getting more information on access flooring. Let's first discuss its technicalities.
What Is Raised Access Flooring?
Typically, a raised accessed floor is called a false floor. It is an elevated, structural floor that lies over the concrete subfloor that is designed and assembled according to the organizational requirements of the client. Its purpose is to address issues that are related to cables, data, ventilation, heating, and other related services. Raised access floor systems have been available since the 1960s. They were mainly designed for the purpose of distributing cold supply air through an air duct or plenum.
Raised floors also provided space for piping, wiring and cabling. Later on, with the need for large server rooms and computer system data center rooms, the system has seen considerable growth. RAF systems provide value to overcome many of the restrictions associated with traditional flooring. Access flooring, especially the low-profile cable management flooring, creates workspaces that are organized, safe, productive, efficient, and highly configurable. As cyber security becomes more important, your employees need to work in a flexible and secure facility. A low-profile raised access floor can provide that.
Efficient, Spacious, And Organized
With raised access floor systems, practically all data, electrical, and mechanical services can be routed underneath the floor. You can manage routine system maintenance via modular panels or cable raceways. That helps eliminate work flow restrictions, as well as limit disruptions to the overall work environment. This makes your building spacious and organized, and allows workers to work more efficiently. In order to speed up changes and further simplify things, the electrical feeder whips can be connected to the distribution boxes using either screw-on or plug-in connectors. Money and time are saved since no network technicians, telephone technicians, or electricians are required for routine maintenance or office recognfigurations.
Re-Configuration & Refurbishment
It is a good thing when an organization grows rapidly. However, rapid growth can also be a big nightmare when renovation, reconfiguring, and adding is needed. With rapid advances in technology, there are continuous needs for additional wiring, data cabling, telecommunications, and power services. Access flooring overcomes those problems by offering a platform that can be adapted to dynamic work environments.
It can relocate entire departments and workstations, and keep pace with rapidly developing intra-organizational changes. When a work station needs to be created for a new employee, this is easily achieved by taking out the access floor panel, and then installing data and voice cabling and power in the under-floor plenum, and then installing the furniture. This is something to consider when implementing a technology plan. Low-profile access flooring takes this one step further, as it does not require the floor panels to be removed in order to access wires and cables.
Improve Schedules And Budgets
Along with the time and cost savings that can be achieved during the installation process, raised access flooring systems are able to create value through all of the benefits it provides for Day 2 operations and beyond. The most valuable savings and advantages are found in its life-cycle cost savings: savings in manpower, energy costs, and operating costs.
Optimize Airflow
All workspaces need to provide employees with a comfortable work environment. Overall energy levels and health standards are important factors that contribute to creating a productive environment. Raised access floor systems feature perforated panels which help to direct airflow. There is minimal disruption between the return and the supply airflows. These systems are designed specifically for cleanrooms and data centers, according to the client's requirements where strict temperatures need to be maintained.
Level Surfaces
Buildings with ceiling grid systems and raised access floors have a consistent floor-to-ceiling height throughout the entire building. In a majority of today's buildings, the ceiling grids are laser-leveled to ensure that the ceiling surface is perfectly level. However, below the ceiling, the concrete floor is often not precisely level. Organizations that are relocating or installing demountable wall partitions and system furniture spend a great deal of labor and time with the leveling and setup process.
With retro-fit applications, many issues can be resolved with uneven or variable floor heights by using adjustable raised access floors to create a floor plan that is perfectly level, to provide greater optimization potential within the building.
Raised access flooring and its newer version, cable management access flooring, are redefining how buildings of all types are being designed, built and operated. There is a significant improvement in construction costs, as well as operational costs from Day 1 and beyond.