FAQ -1
Netfloor Low-Profile Cable Management Access Floor

The Low-profile Cable Management Access Floor systems include:
ECO series, CMS series, Camass series, and CamassCrete series.

1.1   Why Low-Profile? Why need Low-Profile Cable Management Floors?

1. There are increasing demands and markets for Low-Profile cable management floors, which can provide light weight, conserve ceiling height, quick installation, easy cable management and flexibility, in terms of "User Friendly" approach.
2. This is a segment of increasing demands but where the Conventional Raised Access Floors (CRF) are not able or not suitable to install at low-profile such as below 10 cm (4") down to 4 cm (1.57") heights.

1.2   Why Netfloor Low-Profile systems are better solution for office environment?

Because Netfloor systems are
User Friendly and Environmental Friendly

1. User Friendly: Netfloor Cable Management Access Floor systems are Low-Profile, standard height from 4 cm (1.57") to 10 cm (4"). Easy installation, easy reconfiguration, light weight, least maintenance costs are main benefits of Netfloor Cable Management product lines. Light weight and low-profile are gifting benefits of Netfloor systems specially for old office renovation and upgrading.
2. Environmental Friendly: Netfloors are 100 percent recyclable.
   Among Netfloor Cable Management Floor product family, Camass series is made of full galvanized steel. In case of re-location, the system components are more than 95 percent re-usable. And the system is 100% recyclable.
   The ECO series and CMS systems are system of "Green Mark". UniPanel (main panel) of ECO series is made of recycled polypropylene. In case of re-location, the system components of ECO series are more than 95 percent re-usable, and are 100% recyclable.

1.3   Are Netfloor Low-Profile systems are LEED Compliance?

Yes, Netfloor Low-Profile system are high LEED compliance.
The systems can maximize your Green Building application LEED Credit Points. Regarding LEED credit point information, please refer to Maximize your LEED credit point.

1.4   Why Netfloor Cable Management systems are generally below 100 mm height?

1. Main design concept of Netfloor Cable Management systems are low-profile and aim to conserve the ceiling height, for both new building and for office renovation applications. Netfloor systems focus on low-profile of 40, 50, 60, 76 and 100 mm height.

2. Although in low height, the systems do not sacrifice the cable capacity. Cables are distributing through the fully accessible cable trenches and protected by steel trench caps.

1.5   Can Netfloor Cable Management Floor Systems cope with uneven sub-floors? Why not install in total leveling?

There are two type of Cable Management Floor Systems: 1. ECO series and CMS series 2. Camass series and CamassCrete series

ECO series and CMS series are low-profile, fixed height of 40 mm, 50 mm and 60 mm. When installing at below 60 mm height, it is not feasible to install access floor at leveling because the floor deviation often more than 30 mm, or even up to 50 mm.  

1. However, Netfloor ECO and CMS series can absorb the uneven sub-floors to certain level. Main reason is UniPaanel (main panel) of ECO series and CMS series are made of built-in 16 sub-panels. The sub-panels are structurally independent but united as one UniPanel by 2 mm thick joints at top. When installed, the sub-panels are able to absorb the floor uneven substantially.
2. Camass series and Camass series: The systems have pedestals which are height adjustable, and changeable for finish floor height at 40 mm up to 150 mm. When installing at height 40 mm ~ 100 mm, the systems shall be installed by follow the floor contour. When installing at height 100 ~ 150 mm, the leveling installation can be achieved.

Please see Appendix 1 : Why Netfloor installed by follow the floor contour?

1.6   Are the Main Panels (UniPanel) and Cable Trenches fully interchangeable?

Netfloor systems main panel (UniPanel) and Steel Caps (Flank Cap, Central Cap) are in identical size and be fully interchangeable.

1.7   Can Netfloor systems be connected at different heights?

Yes, all Netfloor Cable Management systems are 600 X 600 mm module set. Width of Cable Trenches are identical at 90 mm, and main panels (UniPanel) are same size at 510 mm X 510 mm.

1.8   In case of re-location, are Netfloors re-useable? How is the cost?

1. In case of re-location, more than 95 percent of Netfloor components are reusable.
2. Total re-location, labor and transportation costs of Netfloors are generally 2/3 when comparing to re-location costs of the conventional raised access floors

1.9   How do you bring cable services out of the floor?

The conventional raised access floors have to cut the panel opening for cable or outlet service box exits. Labor costs are high. Netfloor systems offer standard and complete options for cable extensions.

1. Cables stretch from Cable Trench, extend from Steel Flank Caps (part number AD613D6, with opening of 60 mm diameter), extend to the desk-top, or connect to outlet box at wall base, or partitions.
2. Opening at main panel (UniPanel). Netfloor systems accommodate to all type of outlet service boxes, brand such as Spider, Britmac, AMP, PowerPlan and etc.

1.10 How do you deal with perimeters?

We cut panels on site to suit perimeter details and fill residual gaps by standard accessories. All UniPanel (main panel) of Netfloor systems are self-stand. No need for lateral support from the walls.

1.11 Is there a standard to which the Netfloor systems have to conform to?

Same as other Low-Profile Cable Management Floors, Netfloor is easily or automatically categorized as "Access Floor" Partially is right, but not totally correct.

1. Panels of Netfloor Cable Management systems are self-stand. Pedestals are built-in at the panel and can be safely standing independently, while conventional access floors are not.
2. Netfloors are low-profile of lower than 10 cm height. There is no under-floor air diffusion under Netfloors. The conventional raised access floor was originally designed to use in old computer rooms or hi-tech factories, and often are required to be installed at greater than 300 mm height and with under-floor air diffusions. Design concept and fundamental functions of Netfloors are basically different from the conventional access floor.

So, we may set standards by consulting the conventional access floor's but not necessarily exactly the same:

1. Fire resistance requirements:
1. Netfloor CMS series such as AD-600, CA-400 and ECO series such as CA-600R and CA-400R are suitable to use in the general office and school applications.
2. To conform to special city codes particularly required non-combustible such as the New York City MEA regulations, State of California and etc., Camass and CamassCrete series meet the criteria.

2. Loading property: Requirements of loading property on Netfloors low-profile systems shall not be necessary to be same criteria applied on conventional access floors, which are made to accept extra heavy or heavy equipment and/or facilities in the control rooms or manufacturing factories. All Netfloor systems conform to the loading property required for using in the offices and schools.

1.12 Are Netfloor low-profile cable management systems fire resistant?

There are different norms of fire resistance codes between countries.
Same as all other access floor systems, Netfloor low-profile systems are not considered as a permanent barrier that can protect the space above from fire. Netfloor systems are fire resistant and have met the fire resistant codes according to each different countries or cities fire codes.

1.13 What safety criteria do Netfloor systems have met in case of fire?

The Netfloor ECO series CA-600R and CA-400R meet NFPA E-253 class 1 and BS476 Class 2 standard and suitable to use in general office areas and schools.
Netfloor Camass and CamassCrete are rated as non-combustible.
In addition to the general office areas, Camass and CamassCrete series are suitable to use at the corridor, aisle, high-rise office building with or without sprinkler, or public areas of three hour fire rating.

Please see the further detailed report on Appendix 2 : Fire Retard issue.

1.14 How do you cope with static? In which cases an anti-static raised floor is advisable?

Human walking, computers, and other electronic equipment may generate electrostatic charges, which may produce electric charges on peoples. In modern office environments, it must be said that most of the finish materials available in the market are statistics resistant. All commercial carpet tiles are statistics resistant and suitable for office environments. Netfloors are installed under the carpet tiles, no direct contact and abrasion to the traffic. So, in general office occasion, Netfloors are not advisable to be anti-static. However, in highly condense computerized office and school, anti-static rated carpet tile shall be used as surface floors.

1.15 Can Netfloor systems be earthed?

1. Netfloor CMS and ECO series do not need earthed.
2. Netfloor Camass series:
   UniPanel (main panel) of Camass series is made of galvanized steel. The system needs earthing but does not need overall earthing.
   Earthing shall be made at the UniPanel (main panel) adjacent to the electric outlet box or power exit.

1.16 What type of floor-coverings suitable for Netfloor Low-Profile systems?

Commercial rate carpet tile is standard floor-coverings on top of Netfloor Low-Profile Cable Management Systems.
If PVC tile required to be installed, it shall be commercial rate and no less than 4 mm thickness.

1.17 Can Ceramic tile, marble or wood floor installed over Netfloor Low-Profile Cable Management systems?

To meet the requirements of using wood floor, stoneware tile such as porcelain tile, granite, marble,.. as top-finish, we launch the ST3000 system for the world market. The unique ST3000 system has successfully met such requirement. For more information, please visit Netfloor website at www.net-floor.biz

Appendix 1

Why Camass^® systems are installed following
the contour of the floor:

When installing conventional raised access floor (CRF), “leveling” is standard procedure due to the relatively high profile, the flooring itself becomes a structure requiring high level of precision.

All experienced installers know that CRF is generally installed at more than 150 mm height, and for heights of less than 100mm it simply is not cost- and labor-effective. CRF floors therefore consumes more of ceiling clearance as in most retrofit projects, and the situation is only worse when there are more floors. To provide a viable alternative, Netfloor Cable Management Access Floor systems are developed at low profile configurations of less than 100 mm height. It is designed for floor-ceiling height conservation while maintaining sufficient cable capacity in the cable trenches. The Low-Profile access floor systems (Camass, CamassCrete, ECO, CMS systems) hence require different set of conditions for installation.

At standard heights of 100, 76, and 60 mm, the Low-Profile Cable Management Access Floor systems are installed simply following the contour of the floor. Since each UniPanel is independently freestanding and only "tied" to one another through connectors that are also simply lying on the floor, the structural integrity is a given. It simply follows the contour and adds to it a uniform-height flooring layer, much like carpet or tiles.

Illustrations:

1. When CRF systems are installed at heights less than 100 mm, for example 76 mm or 60 mm, there will not be sufficient space for cable routing under the panel body. Please refer to the drawing below. CamassTM may be installed at 60 mm height and still provide a consistent 57 mm clearance at the Cable Trenches, while CRF provides a much lower uniform space.

Camass^® CA1000-60 system
System height: 60 mm
Cable trench clearance: 57 mm
Reserved height under panel body: 35 mm

CRF - installed at 60 mm height
Clearance under panel: 35 mm uniformly

2. The illustration above is based on the sub-floor being perfectly level and smooth. In most real-world scenarios, the sub-floor's elevation will vary at least 30 mm to 60 mm in rooms of sizes between 100 and 500 square meters. This is even more true in older buildings that have paid toll to time. When we are looking at a elevation variation of more than 30, 40, or 50 mm, CRF will need to be leveled to offset that variation, resulting in much lower clearances where the whole purpose was defeated.

The drawing on the next page shows a scenario where the installation of CRF at 76 mm becomes meaningless when the floor elevation variation is a very commonplace 50mm. In this case, CRF needs at least more than 120 mm in height to be useful, and, consequently, the floor-ceiling clearance will have to be sacrificed. This won't do for buildings without that luxury!

If we need to conserve floor-ceiling clearance exists, low profile flooring system is the only practical application. Of all such systems, Camass, CamassCrete, ECO, and CMS sytems are best choice. Refer to the drawing on the next page to see what we mean by the Camass systems following the contour of the floor and maintaining a consistent cable capacity.

To conclude,

1. When the sub-floor conditions are generally smooth as to be suitable for carpet tile or sheet vinyl installation, then it would also be suitable for Camass^TM installation. Camass^TM systems of 100 mm height or less shall be installed by following the contour of the sub-floor.
2. UniPanels of Camass^TM systems are freestanding floor panels with built-in standard height pedestals. Connected by Base Connectors, they create between them uniform-depth.
   Cable trenches that offer uniform cable capacity throughout the entire flooring installation.

Appendix 2

Report -- Fire Retard
Cable Management Floors & Conventional Raised Access Floors

Fire retard classification on Low-Profile Cable Management Floors

1. Fire retard is an important issue often asked by architects, contractors, owners, and etc.
1. Are Netfloor systems non-combustible?
2. Which fire retard standards Netfloor Cable Management Systems (Netfloors) have met?
3. What test reports Netfloors have conducted?
4. Are Netfloors same flammability standard as Raised Access Floor?
5. Raised Access Floor are non-combustible or class "0". Can Netfloors meet?

Quick answers:

A1: Among Netfloors:Camass and CamassCrete series are systems of "non-combustible".

A2: Camass and CamassCrete meet BS-476 part 4 "on-combustible" also NYC MEA approval.

A3: Other Netfloors, CMS series AD-600, CA-400 and ECO series CA-600R, CA-500R, CA-400R meet BS476, part 7 Class 2 and meet NFPA 253 class 1 (Critical Radiant Flux Test for Floor Coverings).

A4: Netfloors are not necessary same standards as Conventional Raised Access Floors (CRF). Non-combustible is part of the standards which the CRF needed to meet due to its applications (explain at section 2). Design concepts and applications of Netfloors and other Low-Profile Cable Management Floor systems (Low-Profiles) are not same as the CRF. Netfloors and Low-Profiles are developed particularly for the cable management purposes in the office environment. However, the question is Netfloors and other Low-Profiles are latest development.

They are totally new or even not yet been introduced to some marketplaces. However CRF has been introduced to the market for more than 30 years. So, Netfloors and Low-Profiles are automatically classified as a type of Raised Floor. And the fire retard standards applied for CRF are often requested to Netfloors and the Low-Profiles.

2. Design concept of the Conventional Raised Access Floor (CRF)
   Why CRF are made to meet non-combustible or class "0"?
   To make comprehensive answers to the above, we need to trace back to the original design concept of the CRF.

1. Application of CRF: To use at the (old) computer room, control center, hi-tech IC, chips manufacturing, and etc.
2. Heights: Generally higher than 30 cm to 100 cm, and up.
3. Functions:  

c1.	To cover large amounts and large diameter powers and data cables
c2.	To cover water, chemical pipes and etc.
c3.	Providing under-floor air conditioning.
c4.	Although it is a false floor, CRF's function is same as a structure floors. It sustains the valuable, heavy or extra-heavy machinery, computers, high-sensitive facilities, and to cover high voltage power cables, utility or chemical pipes, etc. The above functions explain why CRF shall be system of non-combustible. In case of fire, flame may be spread under the access floors due to the access floors are raised at more than 30 cm and up to 100 cm high. The access floors shall be "non-flammable", as a barrier to flame above or under the access floor.

4. During past 10 years, the old cable management solutions, such as "Embed Floor Trucking", "Power Pole", "Flat Cable", and etc., are not capable to handle the sharply increasing amounts of cables in the office. Large and intensive amounts of data and power wires flow into the office due to internet and intranet. CRF have been quickly stretched it's application to the offices in order to "cover" the large amounts of cables. When CRF using for cables management applications, on-floor "Cable Trunk" shall be installed under the RF to manage the cables.
   
   To solve the urgent needs, CRF is basically as a "cover" to the cables, not "manage".
   There are high demands of openings for cable extension or to fix outlet service boxes as a connection to desk tops or workstations.

3. Design concept of Netfloor and other Low-Profile Floors
   As explained in section 2.4, CRF is using in the office area because there is immediate demand of raised floor to hide or cover the cables. However, this has only solved the basic demands, not meet the demands from the User's side.
   Netfloors and other Low-Profiles are latest development and designed especially for office cable management applications.

1. Height: Lower than 10 cm height, down to 4 cm height, to reserve ceiling height.
2. Weight: average 12 kg to 20 kg per sq. meters, to reduce extra load bearing to old building only about 1/3 to 1/2 weight comparing to CRF.
3. Easy routing and managing the cables. Fully accessible cable protection trench caps.
4. "User Friendly"
5. Easy extension of cables and installation of outlet service box.
6. Easy re-location.

4. Fire retard requirements for Netfloors or Low-Profiles in office and school
1. In office and school, it is not necessary for Netfloors or Low-Profiles to meet the non-combustible standard like CRF.
   Reasons:

a1.	Netfloors and other Low-Profiles are installed below 10 cm height, there is no under-floor air diffusion. In case of fire, flame shall not be distributed under Netfloors or Low-Profiles.
a2.	All Netfloor systems meet or exceed NFPA part 7, class 2 fire retard standard and NFPA 253 class 1. This is standard for floor materials using in the office area.
a3.	More precisely, Netfloors and Low-Profiles shall be rated as Cable Management Floors. This is a proper name to explain its function. If insist to classify Netfloors and Low-Profile within the Raised Access Floor section ( Section 10270) for specification purpose, we may specify Netfloors as Cable Management Floor, to differentiate from Traditional Raised Access Floor (CRF). Netfloors and Low-Profiles are functionally in-between the TRF and the carpet tiles.
a4.	Requirement of flammability standards for floors in office building and school are different to those of factory, computer center, control room, etc.

2. For whole building project, Netfloors may be installed spreading all floor levels. Proposal made at 4.1 may not be accepted at the 3 hours rating areas. In this case, a combination usage of Netfloor systems is a solution.

b1.	At the 3 hour rating area, such as public aisle, lobby, escape stairs, suggest to use Camass or CamassCrete series. Camass and CamassCrete are rated "non-combustible" and suitable to use at the 3 hour rating areas. This area may occupy 15 percent space of the total floor level.
b2.	At the 2 hours and one hour fire rating areas such as in-side aisles office, offices between room to room, Netfloor CMS AD-600, A-400 and all ECO series shall be suitable.
b3.	Camass and CamassCrete systems can connect to the CMS series and ECO series. All these systems are identical 60 X 60 cm module set and 9 cm width cable trenches.

3. For city government law such as in NYC, LA, Singapore requests that even Low-Profiles shall meet non-combustible standard, Camass and CamassCrete are qualified.

Copyright Netfloor, Inc. All Rights Reserved.