What is a Raised Floor? What are the components of its structure?

Raised floors, hydraulic dock levelers, and access floors are popular types of flooring widely used in modern construction engineering today. To learn detailed information about what a raised floor is and its structure, please refer to the article below.

What is a Raised Floor?

A raised floor is a type of flooring created to provide a gap between the concrete subfloor and the floor panels. A special feature of these panels is the choice of surface and core materials. Therefore, users can choose the most suitable floor panel based on their specific needs.

Typically, this type of floor is used for routing electrical wires and cables, and can also be used for air conditioning or cooling water pipes. Currently, raised floors are a popular product in Vietnam’s construction industry. In particular, this product is chosen for its utility that other materials cannot provide.

There are many different types of raised floors used for various purposes; here are the classifications:

• Access Flooring (Technical Floor) is used in technological and engineering environments to enhance operational efficiency and safety.
• Hydraulic Dock Levelers are used in factories or warehouses, automatically attached to the floor to raise or lower, helping to level the height between the warehouse floor and the truck bed.
• OA (Office Automation) Raised Floor is a system with a steel shell structure and a lightweight concrete core, used for offices, casinos, etc.
• Anti-static Raised Floor creates a space between concrete panels through a pedestal system. Users can choose specific surface and core materials for these panels.
• Wood-finished Raised Floor has a wooden surface, is easy to move and install, and can use various wood grains to create aesthetic appeal according to the owner’s preference.

See more: Structure and role of hydraulic cargo lifts

Structure of a Raised Floor

A technical access floor is composed of several parts, specifically:

Floor Panels

Floor panels are made of steel in a box shape, coated with a layer of electrostatic powder paint. The panels are usually sprayed on the outside and filled with cement inside to increase sound insulation as well as high load-bearing capacity.

Pedestal System

The floor support system is an accessory of the HPL access floor that functions to create space below the surface. It allows for a perfectly level floor surface even if the subfloor is uneven. For pedestals installed near walls, the head of the base is made of galvanized steel.

Stringers

Stringers are accessories used to fix and increase the pressure resistance of the floor surface, usually made of galvanized steel. Stringers link the floor pedestals together to create stability and ensure the load-bearing capacity of the technical floor system.

Accompanying Accessories

Some accessories for industrial raised floors include stringer screws, pedestal glue, panel lifters, etc.

Advantages and Applications of Raised Floors

Raised floors offer many advantages, including noise resistance, and are used in many high-end meeting rooms. Additionally, panels with perforated holes can be fitted with an underfloor air conditioning system for faster cooling and reduced operating costs.

Advantages of Raised Floors

Technical access flooring is a useful solution to increase productivity and efficiency; the advantages include:

• Protecting the systems under the floor from impacts such as hot and humid air, chemicals, climate, and pests beneath the concrete floor. From there, the floor surface can be repaired easily and quickly.

• Access floor panels with high resistance values help limit electrical currents in case of short circuits, minimizing danger for those working on the floor.

• The raised floor system helps machinery and equipment on the surface operate more accurately by neutralizing ions. Electric current will be minimized during explosion incidents, allowing for the timely relocation of equipment in case of fire. It also creates a dry and clean environment for floor equipment.
• The stringer surface in contact with the floor is equipped with noise-reducing pads, providing soundproofing, and reducing noise and vibration during equipment operation.
• The dock leveler type helps adjust height and supports the lifting process to fit different types of container trucks and trailers. This creates an efficient connection between the warehouse and the transport vehicle regardless of the size or height of the product.
• Raised floors save time and effort during the loading and unloading process. Whereas manual methods like ramps and stairs were used previously, raised floors create a direct and convenient bridge to reduce the labor and time needed to move goods.

• Raised floors are made from various materials such as aluminum, steel, or alloys, providing good load-bearing capacity and increasing the equipment’s durability and lifespan. They also help users reduce regular maintenance costs.
• Using this product offers adaptability and diverse color decoration because of the countless materials that can be used, such as porcelain, PVC, granite, or wood grain panels.
• Finally, the floor system allows for assembly and changes in workspace layout and wiring diagrams. Therefore, the floor height can be changed quickly without affecting activities on the floor. Depending on the floor structure, it creates a dry, clean, and airy environment.

See more: Why forklift ramps are widely used today

Applications of Raised Floors

Raised floors have many types and uses for different cases. The main utility is minimizing the need for in-wall wiring during repairs. Specific applications include:

With Solid Core Raised Floors

Each type of surface material has different effects; electrostatic painted iron surfaces usually go with cement cores to provide excellent load-bearing efficiency. Vinyl-covered floors help eliminate static electricity and are used in electronic manufacturing and clean rooms.

With Perforated Raised Floors

Using perforated panels allows users to install air conditioning systems under the floor. This method is considered a perfect alternative to traditional wall-mounted air conditioners due to high efficiency and lower operating costs.

See more: Applications of Hydraulic Dock Levelers

Factors Affecting the Price of Raised Floors

The price of access flooring is information many customers are interested in, as it determines whether to use the equipment for a project. The price is influenced by factors such as:

Floor Material and Coating

Technical flooring includes the core and the surface, divided by material:

• Surface finishes include HPL, electrostatic paint, or vinyl.
• Floor core materials include cement core, wood core, and aluminum core.

Each material has different techniques and characteristics, leading to different load capacities, gloss, and aesthetics. Therefore, the cost of each type will vary significantly.

Calculation by Area

To calculate the price of a raised floor product, it is calculated by area. This method is considered one of the quickest ways to grasp investment costs for an appropriate quote.

Labor Costs

The price of hydraulic dock levelers and access floors is calculated based on the technical projects and corresponding area. Typically, labor costs are based on the actual floor area being installed.

Price Quotes for Common Raised Floor Types

Based on the information above, we have learned what factors are included in construction quotes. Below are some suggestions for access floor price quotes:

• OA Floor Price: 2.3 million/m2.
• Anti-static Floor Price: 2.5 million/m2.

Criteria for Choosing a Raised Floor

Understanding the criteria for selecting products helps you find the right product that meets your needs with these criteria:

Length

Currently, floor systems have different sizes and lengths, so when choosing, you must calculate the length to suit the needs and the space used. Selecting the appropriate size ensures safety during use. Therefore, before choosing, you need to know the basic length of the floor to make a good choice.

Width

A larger width will help with cargo contact and product operation. The larger the width, the higher the price will be.

Capacity/Power

Hydraulic floors have many different capacities; choosing high-capacity products allows for better control of speed as well as the weight of goods and machinery. You should choose high-capacity products that can control the speed and weight of cargo. Choosing the right capacity also helps transport goods quickly and reduces more operating costs.

Raised floors have now become important and indispensable in modern life. Hopefully, with the information provided, the article has brought you useful details about raised floors, their structure, advantages, and detailed price quotes. If you have any questions, please contact the hotline for rapid answers.

Contact Information:

Naltako Industrial Joint Stock Company

Address: Dong De, Phu Yen, Chuong My, Hanoi.

Hotline: 0981.977.898.

Website: Naltako.vn