FAQ

 

 

1.1 Why Low-Profile?

1.2 Why Netfloor systems are better solution for office environment?

1.3 Why Netfloor systems are not produced at higher than 10 cm?

1.4 Can Netfloor cope with varying floor heights and uneven sub-floors?

1.12 1.4.1 Please see the Appendix 1:

1.12 1.4.1 Why Netfloor installed by follow the floor contour?

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

1.6 Are Netfloor systems can be connected at different heights?

1.7 In case of re-location, are Netfloors re-useable? How is the costs?

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

1.9 How do you deal with perimeters?

1.10 Is there a standard to which the Low-Profile cable management floorings have to conform to?

 

 

Technical:

1.11 Are Netfloors fire resistant?

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

1.12 1.12.1 Please see the further detailed report on

1.12 1.12.1 Appendix 2 : Fire Retard issue.

1.13 How do you cope with static?

1.12 1.13.1 Please see the further detailed report on

1.12 1.12.1 Appendix 3 : Statics issue.

  

1.14 Can Netfloor systems be earthed?

1.12 1.14.1 Netfloor CMS and ECO series

  

1.12 1.14.2 Netfloor Camass series

  

1.15 What type of floor-coverings suitable for Netfloors?

1.16 Can Ceramic tile, marble or wood floor installed on Netfloors?

1.17 Do Netfloor ECO and CMS systems need cable trunk?

 

 

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 systems are better solution for office environment?

 

Because Netfloor systems are
User Friendly and Environmental Friendly
  1. User Friendly: All Netfloor 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 all Netfloor 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 family, CMS and Camass series are made of first quality materials. And the systems are 100 percent recyclable.
    The ECO series are system of "Green Mark". UniPanel (main panel) of ECO series is made of recycled polypropylene, and all components of ECO series are 100 percent recyclable.

 

 

1.3 Why Netfloor systems are below 100 mm height?

  1. Main design concept of Netfloors are low-profile and aim to conserve the ceiling height, especially for the 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.

 

 

1.4 Can Netfloor cope with uneven sub-floors? Why not install in total leveling?

  1. Netfloor systems are fixed height but can absorb the uneven sub-floors to certain level but need better floor condition than conventional raised access floor.
  2. Netfloor systems are installed by follow the floor contour. Where the sub-floors are suitable for carpet tile or PVC resilient flooring installation, will be suitable for Netfloor installation.
  3. When in low-profile installation lower than 100 mm height, the access floor shall be installed by follow the floor contour in order to retain the cable distribution capacity within the Cable Trenches.

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

 

 

1.5 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 with any others.

 

 

1.6 Are the Netfloor systems can be connected at different heights?

 

Yes, all Netfloor 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.

 

 

1.7 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 less than half when comparing to re-location costs of the conventional raised access floors.

 

 

1.8 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.

 

 

1.9 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.

 

 

1.10 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 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., Netfloor Camass, CamassCrete and AD-760 meet the criteria.
  2. Loading property: Requirements of loading property on Netfloors 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.

 

 

1.11 Are Netfloor systems fire resistant?

 

There are different norms of fire resistance codes between countries.
Same as all other access floor systems, Netfloor 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.

 

 

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

 

The Netfloor CMS series AD-600, CA400, AD-300SE and 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.

 

 

1.13 How do you cope with static?
1.13 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.

Please see the further detailed report on Appendix 3 : Statics issue.

 

 

1.14 Can Netfloor systems be earthed?

 

1.14.1 Netfloor CMS and ECO series do not need earthed.

  

Please see the further detailed report on Appendix 4-1 :
Earthing issue on Netfloor CMS and ECO series.

  

1.14.2 Netfloor Camass series:

  

1.14.2 UniPanel (main panel) of Camass series is made of galvanized steel.
1.14.2 The system needs earthing but does not need overall earthing.

  

1.12.1 Earthing shall be made at the UniPanel (main panel) adjacent to the
1.14.2 electric outlet box or power exit.

  

Please see the further detailed report on Appendix 4-2 :
Earthing on Netfloor Camass series

 

 

1.15 What type of floor-coverings suitable for Netfloors?

 

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

 

 

    

1.16 Can Ceramic tile, marble or wood floor installed over Netfloors?

 

Due to the fully accessible Cable Trench system, these floor coverings are not suitable to install on Netfloors.

 

 

 

1.17 Do Netfloor ECO and CMS systems need cable trunk?

 

No, Netfloor systems do not need Cable Trunk.
Netfloor ECO and CMS series contain the Cable Trenches by the system itself.
The Cable Trenches, which just like a built-in cable trunk, provide same, better functions than the Cable Trunk which are required to use under the Traditional Access Floor.
 

Please see Appendix 5 :
Why Netfloor ECO and CMS Systems do not need Cable Trunk?

 

 
 
 
 
 

 

 

Appendix 1

 

Why CamassTM 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, CamassTM is 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. CamassTM hence requires a different set of conditions for installation. What is suitable for CRF is quite possibly unsuitable for CamassTM.

 

At standard heights of 100, 76, and 60 mm, CamassTM is 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.

CamassTM 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, CamassTM is the best choice. Refer to the drawing on the next page to see what we mean by the CamassTM 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 CamassTM installation. CamassTM systems of 100 mm height or less shall be installed by following the contour of the sub-floor.
  2. UniPanels of CamassTM 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.

  

 

1.1 Are Netfloor systems non-combustible?

 

1.2 Which fire retard standards Netfloor Cable Management Systems (Netfloors) have met?

 

1.3 What test reports Netfloors have conducted?

 

1.4 Are Netfloors same flammability standard as Raised Access Floor?

 

1.5 Raised Access Floor are non-combustible or class "0". Can Netfloors meet?

 

 

 

Quick answers:

  

 

A.1: Among Netfloors:
Camass, CamassCrete, and AD-760 series are systems of "non-combustible".

  

 

A.2: Camass, CamassCrete and AD-760 meet BS-476 part 4 "on-combustible" also NYC MEA approval.

  

 

A.3: 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).

  

 

A.4: 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.

  

 

2.1 Application of CRF: To use at the (old) computer room, control center, hi-tech IC, chips manufacturing, and etc.

  

 

2.2 Heights: Generally higher than 30 cm to 100 cm, and up.

  

 

2.3 Functions:

 

 

2.3.1 To cover large amounts and large diameter powers and data cables
2.3.2 To cover water, chemical pipes and etc.
2.3.3 Providing under-floor air conditioning.
2.3.4 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.

 

 

 

2.4 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.

  

 

3.1 Height: Lower than 10 cm height, down to 4 cm height, to reserve ceiling height.

  

 

3.2 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.

  

 

3.3 Easy routing and managing the cables. Fully accessible cable protection trench caps.

  

 

3.4 "User Friendly"

  

 

3.5 Easy extension of cables and installation of outlet service box.

  

 

3.6 Easy re-location.

 

4. Fire retard requirements for Netfloors or Low-Profiles in office and school

  

 

4.1 In office and school, it is not necessary for Netfloors or Low-Profiles to meet the non-combustible standard like CRF.
Reasons:

 

 

4.1.1 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.

  

4.1.2 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.

  

4.1.3 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.

  

4.1.4 Requirement of flammability standards for floors in office building and school are different to those of factory, computer center, control room, etc.

 

 

 

4.2 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.

 

4.2.1 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.

  

4.2.2 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.

  

4.2.3 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.

  

4.3 For city government law such as in NYC, LA, Singapore requests that even Low-Profiles shall meet non-combustible standard, Camass, CamassCrete and AD-760 are qualified.

 

The current situation is the industrial standards of Raised Access Floor had been set, or written, or specified by the CRF manufacturers, long time before Netfloors or other Low-Profiles been developed. These are the standards could be applied for now. So, many of the architects and government officers just "easily" post this standards for Low-Profiles, without considering the difference in functions and applications.

 

In Japan, Low-Profile Floors share about 60 percent of total Raised Floor market. It is named as OA Floors (Office Automation Floors). The OA Floor manufacturers participated to set the industrial standards for raised floors. Under the JIS standard JIS A 1450, 1997. There were 2 sections of testing methods. The first section was for CRF and the second section was for OA Floors. The OA floor manufacturers jointed the committee, so their voices were there, fairly and practically expressed. The testing methods expressed clearly in the 1997 edition, section 2, particularly for the OA floor. And explained the development stage and historical background of OA floor. Also stated clearly the testing methods of OA Floors.

 

This needs time and education process to architects and government. For example, in European area, we may form association among the Low-Profile Manufacturers and Distributors of Netfloor, CableFloor, Intercell, Vangeel, Delta, and any other new Low-Profiles. One mission of the association is to set the Cable Management Floors・ industrial standards. The standards shall be set individually or independently within the Raised Floor sectors. We may tentatively name it Cable Management Floors Association (CMFA) or OA Floor Associations. The potential markets for Low-Profile is big enough and worthwhile for us to initiate the idea to all other Low-Profiles players.

 

To form the CMFA is an ideal and long-term direction for Netfloor.
For the short-term strategy, we need to educate the market and spread the gospel.
The concept has been accepted by some and will be accepted by more.

 

 

Priorities:

  
  1. First priority is "To write Netfloors specifications for projects".
  2. Continuous marketing programs to educate and promote the concept of Netfloor and Cable Management Floors among architects, owners, decision makers, sub-dealers, governmental officers,...
  3. Decide the proper Netfloor product lines for different applications.
  4. To substitute others・ specified by proper and competitive Netfloors as a better solution.
  5. Last priority: To conform Netfloors・ specs to others・ specs. If not meet, explain.
    If not acceptable, study the feasibility to run the same test locally to meet the specs.

 

 

To summarize:

  

It is important to know the fire retard requirements at the "areas" where the Netfloor product lines meet.

  

In the office buildings and schools, fire retard requirement:
  1.  At the three hour rating area, such as lobby, public aisle for exit and escape, escape stairs, suggest to use Camass, CamassCrete, AD-760 which are rated "non-combustible".
    The systems meet BS476, part 4, non-combustible.
    Also approved by NYC MEA for using in New York city.

  
  1. At the 2 hour rating and one hour rating areas, such as general office, in-side office aisle, office of room to room,
    CMS series AD-600, CA-400 and ECO series CA-600R, CA-500R and CA-400R meet the requirement and suitable to use in these areas.
      
    The systems meet BS476 Part 7, class 2 and meet NFPA 253, class 1.

  
  1. For whole building project, when Netfloors are installing at all floor levels:
    Suggest to use Camass or CamassCrete for the lobby and aisle surrounding the elevators or escape stairs. And suggest to use CMS AD-600, CA-400, or ECO series for all general office areas.

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix 3

 

Report -- Statics
Cable Management Floors & Conventional Raised Access Floors

 

 

STATICS

 

Why floor coverings needs statics resistance?

 

In-door environments, such as at office, public areas, manufacturing facility, hospitals, control rooms, and etc., need different standards on statics control due to following reasons:

  
  1. To avoid uncomfortable due to s