ESD seating is a crucial safety feature in a number of different workplaces.
Ensuring the correct seating is in place is vital to making sure that an environment is safe for its workers. But, what exactly is ESD seating?
How do ESD chairs prevent static?
ESD chairs – such as The Tech ESD Vinyl Range – prevent static build up in a number of ways. Firstly, they are typically made of conductive material such as dissipative fabrics, conductive foam, and metal frames.
Secondly, a grounding point also provides a path for the static charges to flow away from the chair and into the ground, where they are safely dissipated.
Casters or glides are also typically made of conductive materials or have conductive treads.
Do ESD chairs work without ESD flooring?
In short, no. While ESD chairs are designed to dissipate static charges from the person sitting on them, they need a conductive pathway to do so effectively. ESD flooring provides that pathway.
Do you need an ESD chair if you have an ESD floor mat?
While an ESD floor mat plays a crucial role in dissipating static electricity, using an ESD chair alongside it is highly recommended for optimal protection.
This is because, even with the floor mat, there is still a gap between the user’s feet and the mat when they stand up or move.
This gap can create static electricity as your body rubs against the chair or other objects. An ESD chair bridges this gap, providing a continuous conductive path to the ground.
How are ESD chairs certified and tested?
All of the chairs in our ESD range are manufactured to conform to BS/ EN 61340-5-1 standards for conductivity. Each chair is tested before despatch on a specifically designed test rig which measures the level of electrical conductivity of each unit.
Electricity is passed from the top of the chair down to the floor and away from the chair.
We use materials in all of our seating that reduce the build up of static in both the chair and the user.
Who should use ESD seating?
ESD chairs are most crucial for people working in environments where electrostatic discharge (ESD) poses a significant risk to sensitive electric components, equipment, or materials. This can include:
- Assembly workers: Individuals building or assembling electronic devices like circuit boards, computers, and medical equipment.
- Repair technicians: Professionals servicing and repairing electronic devices, from smartphones to industrial machinery.
- Quality control inspectors: Personnel testing and verifying the functionality and integrity of electronic components.