ANSI/ESD STM97.2-2016 evaluates an installed ESD floor and the footwear worn on it by recording body voltage during a prescribed walking test. The installed-floor provisions specify how many tests to run, where testing should be concentrated and what the report must contain (sections 5.3.1–5.3.2). Five tests are the starting minimum; larger installations require additional testing.
How many tests are required?
Minimum number of tests
ANSI/ESD STM97.2-2016 requires five tests per floor material or a minimum of five tests for every 460 square meters (5,000 square feet) of floor material, whichever is greater (section 5.3.1).
Where to place the tests
At least three of the five tests should be conducted in areas subject to wear, showing evidence of chemical or water spillage, or visibly dirty, where such areas exist.
The standard uses “should” for this placement guidance. It is a recommendation rather than a mandatory requirement.
Conducting the installed-floor walking test
Applying the walking procedure
Section 5.3.1 directs that body voltage be tested in accordance with the walking procedure in section 5.2.3. The points below summarize the walking controls; they do not replace the complete referenced procedure.
Connect the voltage-measurement apparatus to the recording device and the hand-held electrode to the voltage-measurement apparatus. Wear the static-control footwear being tested on both feet for 10 minutes. Stand in the starting foot positions prescribed in Figure 1 of ANSI/ESD STM97.2-2016 and hold the hand-held electrode.
Before each test, touch ground to remove body charge and check that the instrumentation is zeroed.
Step height, pace and pauses
Follow the walking pattern prescribed in Figure 1 of ANSI/ESD STM97.2-2016. Raise each foot approximately 7.6 cm (3 inches), attempt to keep the feet parallel to the floor and avoid scuffing or dragging them.
The pace should be greater than one step per second. Pause for two seconds between each six-step cycle and complete at least ten cycles. The pace is a recommendation; the pause and minimum cycle count are requirements.
Use appropriate scales on the voltage-measurement apparatus and recording device for optimum resolution.
When the test ends
Continue walking until the recorded body voltage reaches equilibrium. Completing ten cycles does not finish the test unless equilibrium has also been reached.
Record the three highest readings from each test.
What the installed-floor report must contain
Test conditions and identification
Report the following parameters using the sample table in Annex B1 (section 5.3.2):
- Temperature and relative humidity.
- Date of testing.
- Type and identity of the footwear.
- Composition of the shoe sole.
- Identity of the floor.
- Name of the test subject.
- Test equipment used.
Voltage readings and summary values
Section 5.3.2 describes a report for a set of five tests. Report the three highest readings from each test in volts, giving fifteen reported voltages, using the sample table in Annex B3.
In the same table, report the minimum, maximum and mean of the absolute values obtained. These summary values accompany the selected readings; they do not replace them.
The five-test reporting format does not override the sampling requirement in section 5.3.1. Determine the required number of tests from the floor materials and area before planning the report.
Test locations and ground connections
Include a diagram showing the approximate test locations and the ground connections used.
What the result establishes
Performance under the tested conditions
The result describes the footwear-flooring system under the conditions tested. The standard’s informative foreword describes the method as providing data relevant to the user’s specific environment, application and controlled laboratory conditions.
A walking-voltage result does not establish the highest voltage a person could reach during other workplace activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. ANSI/ESD STM97.2-2016 section 5.3.1 requires five tests per floor material or a minimum of five tests for every 460 square meters (5,000 square feet) of floor material, whichever is greater. Five tests are not a universal cap for an installation.
ANSI/ESD STM97.2-2016 recommends that at least three of the five tests be conducted in those areas where they exist. The placement guidance uses “should,” rather than imposing a mandatory requirement.
Under the walking procedure incorporated by ANSI/ESD STM97.2-2016 section 5.3.1, ten cycles are the minimum and walking continues until the recorded body voltage reaches equilibrium. Both conditions must be met.
ANSI/ESD STM97.2-2016 section 5.3.2 describes five tests with three highest readings from each, giving fifteen reported voltages. The report also includes the minimum, maximum and mean of their absolute values. This reporting format does not reduce the number of tests required for a larger installation.