The floor is one half of the path — footwear is the other.
The two numbers on a floor spec
Floor specs usually quote resistance-to-ground (RTG) and sometimes resistance point-to-point. RTG describes how the floor bleeds charge to earth; too high and charges linger, too low and the floor approaches conductive territory that is unsuitable for work near live equipment.
The standards set broad ranges rather than single magic numbers because the floor works as part of a person-and-shoe system.
Floors only work with the right footwear
A dissipative floor under ordinary insulating shoes does almost nothing for a walking person. The floor-people system is verified with a walking test using the footwear actually worn.
Keep the floor clean: wax, dust films and ordinary detergents can raise surface resistance and quietly break the path.
FAQ
Can we test the floor ourselves?
Basic resistance checks with proper instrumentation are common in periodic audits; full qualification follows the relevant ESD standard's test method.
Does ESD floor replace wrist straps?
At a seated bench, no — the wrist strap is the primary path. Flooring mainly protects people and carts in motion.
How often should flooring be verified?
Follow your audit schedule; many sites check at intervals of months, and always after resurfacing or deep cleaning changes.
All figures above refer to standard product data sheets; final confirmation is subject to written quotation.