Market Guides · 5 min read · Updated 2026-07-07
ESD Flooring for Electronics Manufacturing: What to Consider
Answer summary
ESD flooring dissipates static electricity to earth so it cannot discharge through sensitive components. Electronics manufacturing and assembly areas typically specify a conductive epoxy system — such as Sparco ElectroShield SL 110, a solvent-free conductive epoxy coating — installed with an earthing arrangement and verified by resistance testing.
Why electronics facilities control static
A person walking across an ordinary floor can accumulate a static charge high enough to damage semiconductors and electronic assemblies on contact — often without any visible spark. Electrostatic discharge (ESD) control programmes therefore treat the floor as part of the earthing system: a conductive floor provides a continuous path that drains charge safely to earth.
ESD floors are commonly specified for electronics manufacturing and assembly, cleanrooms, server and switch rooms, and any area where components sensitive to electrostatic discharge are handled or stored.
What a conductive epoxy floor is
A conductive epoxy system builds conductivity into the resin floor itself. Sparco ElectroShield SL 110 is a solvent-free conductive epoxy coating: installed over a suitable primer with earthing points, it forms a seamless wearing surface whose electrical resistance sits in the range required by the facility's ESD programme.
Because the floor is part of an electrical system, installation details matter as much as the product: earthing connections, continuity across the area, and post-installation resistance verification against the standard the facility works to (commonly IEC 61340-based programmes).
What to check when specifying
ESD performance is a system property. The coating, primer, earthing arrangement and even ongoing cleaning regime all influence the measured resistance, which is why specification and handover testing should be agreed with the manufacturer's technical team.
- Target resistance range — set by your ESD programme, not by the coating alone
- Earthing plan — number and location of earth points for the area
- Substrate condition — moisture and preparation affect any resin floor
- Verification — resistance testing after cure, documented per area
- Housekeeping — cleaning products and waxes can change surface resistance over time
When to use this system
- Electronics manufacturing and assembly floors handling ESD-sensitive components
- Cleanrooms and controlled environments with ESD programmes
- Server rooms, switch rooms and test laboratories
- Storage areas for sensitive boards and assemblies
Where it is commonly used
- Semiconductor and electronics plants
- PCB assembly and test facilities
- Data and telecom equipment rooms
- Precision instrument workshops
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between anti-static and conductive flooring?
Both are ESD-control floors; the difference is the resistance range. Conductive floors have lower resistance and drain charge faster; static-dissipative floors are higher in the range. Your ESD programme's target range determines which is specified.
Does an ESD floor need earthing?
Yes. The floor is one part of an earthing path — it must be connected to earth at designated points, and continuity verified by resistance testing after installation.
Which Sparco product is used for ESD floors?
Sparco ElectroShield SL 110, a solvent-free conductive epoxy coating, is Sparco's ESD flooring system. Specification, earthing layout and verification testing are agreed per project with our technical team.
Values referenced in this guide come from the products' Technical Data Sheets. Final specification depends on substrate, traffic, chemical exposure and shutdown window — confirm the complete build-up with our technical team.