Raised floor 2931193 213421234 2008-05-19T07:24:47Z Adamantios 650655 reverting vandalism and reporting incident {{Unreferenced|date=February 2008}} [[Image:Tile-lifter-in-use-raised-floor.jpg|thumb|A suction-cup tile lifter has been used to remove a tile.]] A '''raised floor''' (also '''raised flooring''') is a type of [[floor]] used in [[office building]]s (such as [[information technology|IT]] [[data center]]s) with a high requirement for servicing to carry cables, [[wiring]], electrical supply, and sometimes [[air conditioning]] or [[chiller|chilled]] water pipes. Additional structural support and [[lighting]] are often provided when a floor is raised enough for a person to crawl or even walk beneath. This type of floor consists of a gridded metal framework or understructure of adjustable-height legs (called "pedestals") that provide support for individual floor panels, which are usually 2×2 feet or 60×60cm in size. The height of the legs/pedestals is dictated by the volume of cables and other services provided beneath, but typically arranged for a clearance of at least six inches or 15cm. The panels are normally made of [[steel]]-[[clad]] [[particleboard]] or a steel panel with a [[cement]]itious internal core. There are a variety of [[flooring]] finishes to suit the application such as [[carpet]]s, high-pressure [[laminate]]s, [[marble]], [[Masonry|stone]], and [[Antistatic agent|antistatic]] finishes for use in computer rooms and [[laboratories]]. Many modern computer and [[equipment room]]s employ an underfloor cooling system to ensure even cooling of the room with minimal wasted energy. Cooled air is pumped under the floor and dispersed upward into the room through regularly spaced diffuser tiles or through ducts directed into specific equipment. Automatic [[fire protection]] shutoffs may be required for under-floor [[ventilation]], and additional suppression systems may be installed in case of under-floor [[fire]]s. Because the flooring tiles are rarely removed once equipment has been installed, the space below them is seldom cleaned, and fluff and other debris settles, making working on cabling underneath the flooring a dirty job. [[Smoke detector]]s under the raised floor can be triggered by workers disturbing the [[dust]], resulting in [[false alarm]]s. == Tile-lifter == [[Image:Suction-lifter-one-cup.jpg|thumb|right|One-cup suction lifter.]] To remove panels, a tool with a [[suction cup]] on the end (referred to as a "floor puller", "tile lifter", or "suction lifter") is used. A [[hook-and-loop]] lifter may be used on carpeted panels. == Structural problems == Structural problems are a serious threat to both equipment and personnel on a raised floor. Problems such as rocking panels and gaps between panels can cause permanent damage to a floor system, personnel injuries, and damage to equipment. Regular underfloor [[inspection]]s for [[structural]] [[integrity]] of a raised floor system should be conducted. Various trades servicing in and around an access floor can disturb the grid and pedestal system creating structural hazards. The load rating of an access floor is established when all components are properly installed. Floors perform to specifications only when they are structurally sound. Supporting understructure should be inspected at least once a year. ==See also== * [[Room air distribution]] * [[Suspended ceiling]] [[Category:Floors]] [[Category:Architectural elements]] [[it:Pavimento galleggiante]] [[pt:Piso elevado]]