Raised floor is a type of raised floor that is used in industrial premises. Usually, the need for the manufacture of a raised floor arises when it is necessary to carry out the wiring of engineering communications with outputs to individual devices that are placed in the room.
A little about the features of the raised floor
In data centers for various purposes, cables are laid under the floor through which data or power is transmitted.
It is also allowed to lay pipes for ventilation, heating and air conditioning systems. It is extremely rare, but it also happens that the floor rises to such a height that people can freely walk under it. At the same time, in order to strengthen the design, various elements are added to it. The lighting system is also being set up.
Raised floor construction
Very often the design is made of a metal supporting frame and panels of a removable type. The latter are also made of metal - aluminum or steel. Alloweduse various types of coatings for panels - laminate, carpets, stone, antistatic. The vertical element forms the framework. This is a rack, in which at the bottom there is a support-platform. Moreover, her design is such that you can change the height of the raised floor at any time.
The horizontal part of the structure that forms the frame is made of steel beam. At the edges it has fasteners that allow docking using a bolted connection. The plate has a square shape, the side is 60 x 60 cm. Hexagonal plates are somewhat less common. Under them, shock-absorbing pads are laid, which do not allow dust to pass through and contribute to better sound insulation.
The raised floor system has several optional elements that are not used in all designs:
- Inclined type blocks.
- Borders.
- Elements that accommodate various sockets and connections.
- Ribs to reinforce the structure of the floor, do not allow to increase the load.
With the help of special elements, for example, cable channels in which wires are laid, it is possible to frame pipes, ventilation system inlets, and structural elements. For example, pylons or columns.
How to prepare the subfloor
Before installing the raised floor, it is necessary to carefully prepare a draft. It is necessary to make sure that the base is horizontal, smooth and dry. The following steps are required to preparecoating. First, thoroughly clean the surface with an industrial vacuum cleaner. Household use is not recommended, you will only spoil them.
Paint the entire surface of the subfloor. Dust-removing paint or primer must be used. Before applying the paint, you must read the instructions for its use. It is recommended to lay at least two layers. Please note that the paint must be compatible with the material from which the base is made. This is necessary in order to make a strong fixation of metal pedestals on the surface.
How to lay out a grid
Before mounting the raised floor, you need to mark the lines of pipes, cable channels, trays that will be mounted on the subfloor. Specialists who provide services and carry out the installation of adjacent structures are required to take into account the markings made at the initial stage during work. It is necessary that neither cable channels nor pipes fall into the places where the pedestals will be installed.
As soon as the marking of communications is completed, it is necessary to determine the places for installing pedestals under the raised floor. This will allow for the most accurate placement of all structural elements.
Installing the floor
It is recommended to start the installation of the raised floor from the center of the room. Parallel rows of solid slabs must be initially laid in such a way that they do not come into contact with the walls. The rest of the space is oppositewalls must be filled after the entire middle section is completed.
How slabs and pedestals are installed
Raised floor is a structure that must be installed correctly and securely. After installing the central part, it is necessary to mount all other plates. It is necessary to install one pedestal and a plate each time. It is best to start from the corner that is formed in the already mounted elements. The way the raised floor is installed determines how stable it will be during operation.
If the raised floor is installed over a large area, it is necessary to know in advance the location of the expansion joints in the building. This will allow you to make similar joints directly in the raised floor.
How to finish board edges
Installation of a raised floor is a painstaking and complex process, you have to comply with a large number of requirements. Those slabs that are adjacent to the walls should be mounted the latest. But only after the installation of all floor elements. These boards must be cut to size. All edges that are trimmed must be treated with waterproof paint or varnish. The use of edging tapes is also allowed. In order to join the slab to the wall, it is necessary to use perimeter tape.
Please note that this connection will add damper function. Such a tape is attached to a slab or wall. It is only necessary to make sure that it is at the same level as the surface of the panelraised floor. With the help of molding after installation, you can close the joint of the connection. The slabs do not need to be rigidly fixed to the adjacent walls, or they should stand up with them.
Mounting and fixing the pedestal
Before the final assembly of the floor, the tops of the pedestals must be leveled. This is done with a pre-set head at a certain height. These heads must be fixed at the same height. This is quite difficult to do, but you can use one of two methods. It is allowed to use a fixing mass between the stop rod and the nut.
You can also fix the rod and nut with lock washers. Usually they are available in a set of pedestals. The latter option is more preferable, as it allows, after installation, to correct the position of the pedestals. After all, sometimes it becomes necessary to change the position of the raised floor stand. The plates have a standard size of 60 x 60 cm. Only the thickness differs.
If the load on the floor is normal, not very large, then you can use plates with a thickness of 26 mm. If you want to withstand high loads, you will have to use plates with a thickness of 36 mm. If you install such floors on logs, they can withstand significant loads.
