Raised floor - this is the type of raised floor, which is used in industrial premises. Usually, the need for the manufacture of a raised floor arises when it is necessary to carry out the layout of utilities with outputs to individual devices that are located in the room.
A bit about the features of the raised floor
In computer centers for various purposes, cables are laid under the floor through which data or power is transmitted.
It is also allowed to lay ventilation pipes, 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. Also equipped with a lighting system.
Raised floor construction
Very often, the structure is made of a metal supporting frame and panels of a removable type. The latter are also made of metal - aluminum or steel. It is allowed to use various types of coatings for panels - laminate, carpets, stone, antistatic. An element located vertically forms a frame. This is a rack with a support platform in the lower part. 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 of her fasteners that allow you to dock 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 is laying depreciation pads that do not allow dust and contribute to better sound insulation.
The raised floor system has several optional elements that are not used in all designs:
- Blocks of inclined type.
- Borders.
- Elements with which various sockets and connections are placed.
- Ribs to strengthen the floor structure do not allow to increase the load.
Using special elements, for example, cable channels in which wires are laid, you can frame pipes, ventilation system inlets, structural elements. For example, pylons or columns.
How to prepare a rough floor
Before installing a raised floor, you must carefully prepare a draft. It is necessary to make the base horizontal, smooth and dry. The following manipulations are required to prepare the coating. First thoroughly clean the surface with an industrial vacuum cleaner. Households are not recommended, you only spoil them.
Paint the entire surface of the subfloor. Use dust-free paints or a primer. Before applying the paint, you must familiarize yourself with 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 of which the base is made. This is necessary in order to firmly fix the metal pedestals to the surface.
How to layout a grid
Before mounting the raised floor, you need to mark the lines of pipes, cable channels, trays that will be mounted on the rough coating. Specialists who provide services and carry out the installation of adjacent structures are obliged to take into account the markup made at the initial stage when working. It is necessary that neither the cable channels, nor the pipes fall into the places where the pedestals will be installed.
As soon as the marking of communication is completed, it is necessary to determine the installation sites of the pedestals under the raised floor. This will allow for the most accurate placement of all structural elements.
Floor mounting
It is recommended to start the installation of a raised floor from the center of the room. Parallel rows of solid slabs should be initially laid so that they do not touch the walls. The rest of the space opposite the walls must be filled after the entire middle part has been completed.
How is the installation of plates and pedestals
A raised floor is a structure that must be mounted correctly and securely. After installing the central part, it is necessary to mount all the other plates. Each time, one pedestal and a slab must be installed. It is best to start from the angle that is formed in the already mounted elements. The method of installing a raised floor depends on how stable it will be during operation.
If the raised floor is mounted on a large area, you must 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 process the edges of the plates
Installation of a raised floor is a painstaking and complicated process, you have to comply with a large number of requirements. Those slabs that are adjacent to the walls should be installed the very last. But only after the installation of all floor elements has taken place. These plates must be cut to fit the room. All edges that are trimmed must be treated with waterproof paint or varnish. Edging tapes are also allowed. In order to dock a plate with a wall, it is necessary to use a tape of perimeter type.
Please note that such a connection will add a damper function. This tape is attached to a plate or wall. It is only necessary to make sure that it is at the same level as the surface of the raised floor panel. Using molding after installation, you can close the joint of the connection. It is not necessary to rigidly fix the slabs on the adjoining walls or they must stand up with them.
Mounting and fixing the pedestal
Before final assembly of the floor, it is necessary to align the upper parts of the pedestals. This is done using a pre-installed 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 stem and the nut.
It is also possible to fix the shaft and nut with lock washers. Usually they are available in a set of pedestals. The latter option is more preferable, since it allows after installation to correct the position of the pedestals. Indeed, sometimes there is a need to change the position of the raised floor racks. Plates have a standard size of 60 x 60 cm. But their thickness is different.
If the floor load is normal, not very large, then plates with a thickness of 26 mm can be used. If it is required to withstand high loads, then it is necessary to use plates with a thickness of 36 mm. If you install such floors on the logs, they can withstand significant loads.