We would clarify your queries and resolve your concerns about all our products and services. Drop us a message or call.
It is a flooring system composed of modular elements (panels) placed without anchorage on a bearing structure that raises them at a certain height from the slab, in order to create under the floor surface a free space (plenum) to house service ducts and terminals. ALTAIR produces a very wide range of raised floors.
The minimum finished floor height achievable is 50 mm using a modified Cross-Head understructure pedestal and a non-standard 500mm x 500mm panel. The maximum height that can be achieved is 1800mm using a Heavy Duty Stringer Grid pedestal with a standard panel. However, please consult with ALTAIR for further technical details as floors at both these extremes require further technical investigation.
The level adjustment possible is ±25mm. This adjustment is calculated from the average floor height which is the design height of the floor, and that in order to take into consideration differences in the level of the concrete sub-floor. Having said that, it is highly advisable to verify the level required on site as sub-floor level may not be within the generally recognized standard.
Pedestals are generally fixed to the sub-floor using a pedestal adhesive. This applies to heights up to 800mm. Beyond that height, it is advisable that pedestals be glued and mechanically fixed to the sub-floor. The frequency of pedestals fixed as well as the number of mechanical fixes per pedestal may vary based on the final usage of the floor. Mechanical fixing of the pedestals without the use of pedestal adhesive is not recommended under any circumstances.
There are two schedules that can be followed. ALTAIR raised floor can be installed before any other trades enter a job-site (provided that the floor is protected during the continuation of works at site). The other alternative is to install ALTAIR floors after all MEP (Mechanical / Electrical / Plumbing) works are done, provided that such works have been executed following a 600mm x 600mm grid previously approved by ALTAIR.
At the perimeter elements such as walls, partitions, and columns, ALTAIR panels are cut and installed on the appropriate under structure system. The gap created by the interface is generally covered with skirting. The most widely used skirting is a pvc skirting available in most markets even though wood skirting is also frequently used. In some cases, the gap can be minimized (down to 2-3mm) and no skirting is necessary unless required by the specifications.
ALTAIR panels can be easily cut at the perimeter using either a portable band-saw, or a heavy duty jigsaw. Band-saws offer speed and precision, while heavy duty jigsaws are more affordable and easily transportable to small job sites. Jigsaws are also necessary for cutouts within panels. In both cases, the correct blade should be used for best results. Please consult with ALTAIR for further information on tools and methodology.
A typical eight-man team consisting of one foreman, 2 skilled carpenters, 2 semi-skilled assistants, and 3 unskilled assistant should be able to install approximately 150m2 of a typical floor in an un-obstructed area every eight hour work shift. Multiple rooms, columns, and other obstructions such as cable trays, unexpected level differences, nonorthogonal shapes, and concrete ridges considerably slow down the installation team.
The weight of a square meter of installed floor varies on the type of panel being used and the height of the floor. A typical ALTAIR Steel AL1000 floor in High-Pressure Laminate finish on Stringer Grid understructure for a finished floor height of 300mm weighs approximately 45 kilograms / square meter. In general, unless a very heavy-duty floor is used in a building not designed for raised floors (such as a refurbishment of an aged structure), the weight of ALTAIR floors is not a structural concern.
Trunking is one of the few cable containment systems that can be bent and joined into complex configurations making it ideal for any wires that need to be at height, obscured from view or that run through a high traffic area.
One of the most common cable containment systems we use is a cable tray, which comprises a unit or set of units and fittings that form a rigid structure that secures or supports electrical cables and raceways. Much like a ladder, it allows the safe transport of wires across open spaces and is a skeleton-like part of a building’s electrical system.
Electrical conduits are tubes used to protect and route wiring and come in a range of materials depending on the conditions of the installation – for example, if it is situated somewhere damp, PVC or galvanized metal should be used. Conduits can be used for entire systems or single thermoplastic or XLPE cables with basic insulation when they protect the cable’s insulation from damage and reduce the risk of faults.
Conduits are secured using saddles. As standard, these tend to be spacer bar saddles, but distance saddles can be used to fix conduit to uneven surfaces, while hospital saddles – which have a thicker base – allow for easier cleaning around the conduit in places where hygiene is a concern.
Conduit systems also allow for wiring system ‘drops’ to yet-to-be-installed electrical equipment, meaning building work can be completed and the cables pulled into place later.
Lengths of conduits are connected by couplings. Where a conduit enters a box with no thread entry it is terminated by coupling and a brass bush to complete the connection.
Raised flooring is a flooring system designed to house service ducts, cables, terminals, etc. The raised flooring is placed on a bearing structure at an elevated position from the slab. The free space thus created can be used for laying cables, ducts, terminals, etc. The quality and strength of raised flooring are of paramount importance for ensuring longevity.
Raised flooring allows the easy laying of cabling, air condition ducts, channels, and other pipes, and enables productive cable management, easy maintenance, and airflow. With a raised flooring, many maintenance activities can be undertaken without destructing the construction. These are the major benefits of raised flooring.
A raised floor system ideally comprises the raised floor panel, perforated panel, base, head, pedestal assembly and stringer.
Raised floors are normally used in industrial units, data centres, networking institutions, business premises, and residential enclaves. Raised floors are becoming highly popular due to the efficient cable management and airflow they provide.
Ideally, the raised flooring is of 12-inch height. With this height, cable and duct management can be undertaken properly. At times, the raised floor may be designed at 6 feet in height, based on the requirements.
Most of our products are available at the local markets in the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe. We can manufacture and deliver if you need a specific product that is not available in the local stock. In that case, it would be ideal to order at least eight weeks in advance. We would manufacture the item in 2-3 weeks’ time and deliver it to the location in the Middle East, North Africa or Europe in about three to four weeks' time.
Normally PVC skirting is used for covering the gap created by the interface. Another type used is wooden skirting. Nonetheless, skirting is not necessary wherever the gap is reduced to 2-3 mm. At the perimeter structures like walls, columns, and partitions, appropriate panels are installed.
Raised flooring work can be done either way, prior to MEP works or after that. In case the raised flooring work is undertaken before the mechanical, electrical and plumbing works, measures must be implemented to protect the raised floor during the MEP activities. If the raised flooring work is planned after the installation of all the MEP elements, the dimensional specifications must be discussed and finalised with the raised flooring team.
All grades of ALTAIR raised access floors are capable of withstanding most loads incurred in a standard office, data room, IT room, or control room environment. However, in some instances, additional support may be required for excessively heavy equipment (such as a safe). This can be managed by using additional pedestals under the panel or the area where the object is placed. ALTAIR pedestals can handle a minimum of 3.4 metric tones each, by far surpassing the square meter design load of a concrete sub-floor. where the object is placed. ALTAIR pedestals can handle a minimum of 3.4 metric tones each, by far surpassing the square meter design load of a concrete sub-floor.
