Raised Access Floor (False Floor) Installation, Repair, Panel Lifting, Maintenance, Cleaning & Care Guide

For the repair, installation, panel lifting, cleaning, and maintenance of raised floors, these guidelines and tips should be followed to avoid unnecessary overhead caused by improper handling. With a correspondingly gentle treatment and care, raised Access Floor System can remain operational for more than 20 years, even extended longer service life. 

Raised Floor Installation Guide & Tips - What Should Be Considered?

In the age of information technology, raised floors are the problem solver - and an interesting business for many enterprises and companies. In the case of demanding installation, in addition to optical aspects, above all questions of statics and construction safety must be taken into account. 

• The substrate must be suitable for raised floors in terms of its load-bearing capacity and condition. This raised floor is a combination of a hollow floor and raised floor. 

• Operating conditions, Raised floors are designed for the following installation and operating conditions: Temperature during installation and operation: 15 to 25 ° C Humidity: relative humidity between 40 and 60%.

• The substrate must be thoroughly cleaned and primed. The one- or two-component sealants are intended to bind the dust on the untreated floor in order to allow permanent bonding of the support. This dust-binding paint is applied according to the manufacturer's instructions. It must be compatible with the adhesive used to attach the supports to the substrate.

• Two raised floor panels are mounted perpendicular to each other (cross-laying), but not directly on the walls. The supports must be glued to the substrate. The individual raised floor panels are leveled by adjusting screws on the supports exactly to the correct height and then secured against adjustment.

• The other areas are closed with columns and raised floor panels, whereby four elements share a support foot. There should be no open joints between the raised floor panels, the panels must not move against each other. At the same time, the individual elements should not be installed with pressure, since they then jam. The raised floor panels have an edge angle so that the elements close to the surface but do not tilt when opened.

• For larger surfaces, expansion joints must be provided by the planner. Depending on the type of expansion joint, these can be performed differently.

• If the middle surface is mounted, you can start with the installation of the edge elements. The edge panels are either already manufactured by the access floor manufacturer in matching sizes. Or the installer saws the boards on the construction site to measure. For vertical components, an edge joint must be planned and manufactured. As a rule, the raised floor manufacturers offer wall connection strips. These foam tapes are fastened flush with the surface on raised floor panels. They allow climate-induced size changes of the raised access floor and at the same time close the gap to the wall.

• Under no circumstances may the raised floor elements be attached to the walls, as otherwise sound bridges will be created and the raised floors will not be removed later.

• Other work on-site may cause dust or small particles to get into the joints of the prefabricated raised floor. When entering then creaking or squeaking noises can arise. For further work, the floor should be carefully covered.

• For subsequent cleaning and use, the instructions of the false floor system and floor manufacturer 

Important Tips for Raised Floor Repair & Overhaul

• Note the load capacity of the false floor. Decisive here is especially the point load. Cutouts in raised floor panels reduce the load capacity. When transporting heavy loads, appropriate load distributions should be used; all plates must be used, i. the raised floor should be completely closed.

• Access floor panels, which connect to floor finishes, stairs and ramps, are often not available for technical reasons.

• Only remove as many raised floor panels as is absolutely necessary. Use suitable plate lifters (suction or claw lifts). Replace the siphon each time. This will give you the maximum liability.

• Design changes to raised floors should only be carried out by specialized companies (warranty/liability in case of an accident).

• Arrange for a regular inspection (annually or immediately after conversion) of the raised floors through a maintenance contract with the manufacturer.

Avoiding Errors and Following Tips of Lifting Raised Floor Panels

Should Avoid:

• Larger areas or islands are revealed so that the tension of the double floor is disturbed.

• Individual plates are dug out and then no longer in their original position, i. Mounted place and alignment covered.

• The replacement of the plates is done without a plate lifter. The panels are inserted on one side and finally, on the opposite side, strongly pushed into it.

• Edge plates or fitting panels are removed. (Clamping of the double floor is carried out via the edge plates.) Compriband is used as a seal.)

• It will be permanently removed panels without the existing shear forces are absorbed by the appropriate frame or guying.

• The supports of the substructure are used as "deflectors" when pulling in electrical cables.

• Support head restraints are soiled after removal of the panels or even not reinstalled.

Should Follow:

• When reinserting the panels are forced into it, causing damage to panel edges and support head restraints.

• It creates joints and a labile panel position.

• Not only that this can cause damage to the panels or coverings; Rather, parts of the plastic support head restraints are repressed and damaged.

• Due to the lack of tension, joints form, baseboards are torn off and, when the panels are replaced, the contraband is lowered.

• The entire plate bandage becomes unstable and can collapse; especially when heavy loads are being transported.

• When removing the overlying access floor panel, the support breaks off.

• Plates wobble and a corner sticks out as a tripping edge.

Tips & Suggestions

• Only pick up individual panels, so that the tension of the double bottom is maintained.

• Only record individual panels, do not exchange them with each other but return to their original position.

• Evenly insert panels using raised floor panel lifter.

• If possible, do not remove any edge plates or fitting plates. When reinserting edge panels, you should first start with the contraband and carefully lift the skirting board lip.

• Do not remove panels permanently or for long periods of time without installing a frame or brace in their place.

• Insert the cable from above with "play".

• Check the support head supports before replacing the panels and clean if necessary.

Raised Floor Cleaning and Care Guide

• Match the type of cleaning and cleaning agents with the requirements of the lining manufacturer and the instructions of the cleaning agent manufacturer.

• Raised floors may only be cleaned wet (not wet). Basically, the pads and carrier plates should only briefly come into contact with moisture. All moisture must be resumed immediately and completely. Access Floor panels with cut-outs, fittings or ventilation panels must be handled with particular care to prevent the ingress of moisture.

• Do not use distilled water/water mixtures.

• Before using the double floors with elastic coverings, it is advisable to subject them to thorough cleaning and care by a specialist company.

Special Instructions For Clients, Users, and Installers

• Access to the raised floors may only be made after approval by the fitter and after acceptance of the services.

• The bonding of the false floor supports with the substrate requires some time for setting and hardening, min. 12 hours, e.g. overnight. Before the surfaces may be committed, nor plates are recorded.

• The top coverings of the raised floors are under special stress, e.g. to protect the transport of loads, the mounting of other trades on the raised floors or against the entry of dirt suitable. This can be done by a light protective cover with coated cardboard or by a hardboard cover glued to the joints. For weight loading, a suitable load distribution is required.