The newly created “Under Control” collection from Forbo Flooring Systems provides specifiers with a diverse array of flooring products to help control static discharge in sensitive areas of a building. The collection features its popular Colorex tile range, refreshed to include two new products, and Sphera SD/EC, a technically advanced homogeneous conductive sheet vinyl range.
Completely new to the market, Sphera SD/EC has been designed to ease installation in critical areas thanks to the special conductive backing, which is applied directly to the sheet material, allowing the charges to flow away horizontally within the flooring. As a result, only the copper earthing strip needs to be adhered with a conductive adhesive, while the rest of the Sphera material can be applied with a regular adhesive, reducing the risk of adhesion failure and saving up to one third on adhesive costs.
The new Sphera range offers two options depending on the performance required for the area. Sphera EC is a permanently conductive solution, available in 13 colourways, which feature marble chips which blend with the carbon black chips required to support its functionality. The Sphera SD option is a permanently dissipative solution that is available in 14 colourways, which mimic those found within the EC range and feature a neutral coloured dissipative chip – delivering a softer aesthetic.
Reliability and trust are essential values when it comes to the functionality of conductive properties; the floor must perform, regardless of humidity levels for the duration of its working life. Unlike other products, which can be affected by a loss of function over time by drops in humidity, the performance of Sphera SD/EC is based on material that is permanently conductive by nature, meaning that the product will function no matter what the indoor environment is like or the age of the floor. Sphera SD has been approved for cleanrooms up to class 6 and Sphera EC for cleanrooms up to class 5, both independently tested by the Fraunhofer institute.
Both ranges also feature Forbo’s ‘SmartTop’ control conductive PUR lacquer, which delivers guaranteed conductive performance and chemical resistance for the lifetime of the product, while the unique embossing structure ensures the surface is scratch resistant and easy to clean.
Also sitting in the newly formed Under Control collection is the existing Colorex Tile range featuring new options. Alongside newly refreshed colour palettes for the Colorex SD and EC ranges, the new Colorex Glow is a permanently conductive solution that provides a phosphorescent glow for up to four hours after exposure to a light source. This means it is an ideal solution for floor safety signage, and to guide occupiers to exits, in case of a power cut.
Garry Bateman, Head of Technical Sales and Support at Forbo Flooring Systems, commented:
“We are committed to developing technical solutions for our customers. Our new Under Control collection provides greater installation freedom, offering both sheet and modular tile formats, without compromising on the performance required for specialist environments that must reduce static discharge.
“As well as developing new Colorex options, we have also refreshed the range’s colour palette with cool blue, green and purple tones, alongside bolder hues and classic monochromes.”
Designed to comply with all the ESD and cleanroom standards, including the Fraunhofer Institute, the collection is the ideal solution for sectors such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, health and data centres, as well as server rooms.
For more information please visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/undercontrol