The versatility of a raised access floor has seen it used for a wide variety of different industrial, commercial and residential applications.

Whilst access flooring was designed for and is primarily associated with data centres, it has been used in listed buildings to protect historic flooring, in retail establishments and some industrial settings due to the benefits of the underfloor space.

One of the most unique applications for access flooring is found in the health sector, including clinics, hospitals, dentists offices and specialist centres.

This is because the healthcare sector takes full advantage of some benefits of access flooring that are not necessarily as prioritised in other industries.

Here are some of the advantages and why access floors are increasingly seen in healthcare.

Technological Necessity

It is often underestimated just how many electronic and electrical systems are used in many clinical settings, and this means that cable management is increasingly critical in order to avoid trip hazards or issues with electrical connections which could potentially be life-threatening.

Medical facilities use many different options for cable management, from walls to overhanging ceiling cables, but access flooring is the most economical use of space, especially if you are taking advantage of the system for its other benefits such as creating more level floors and avoiding the need for ramps or steps.

Hygienic Benefits

One challenge that is particularly important when it comes to medical facilities is when contaminants enter the subfloor area. This can often be difficult to clean but is also something that access flooring can help significantly with.

Because the panels are modular and can be lifted or removed as required, contaminants in the underfloor area can be more easily cleaned.

Moreover, there is a wide range of material options for modular flooring tiles, which include moisture-resistant, sealed and antimicrobial options, which can further help prevent the spread of harmful pathogens.

More Effective Airflow

Whilst cable management is a key part of the appeal of access flooring, it also allows for the creation of air distribution channels that enable better infection control and more comfortable temperature management than would be seen otherwise.

This is essential for a lot of different reasons, from air filtration and temperature control, ensuring that temperature-sensitive equipment works as intended, greater comfort for patients and improved staff performance.

Highly Durable

Healthcare facilities will inevitably have higher demands for flooring than many other buildings, as the mix of high foot traffic, the movement of heavy beds and other equipment and the fact that areas have to be cleaned frequently.

Access flooring was designed for the start to support extremely heavy mainframe computers and is thus perfectly suited to manage the weight of heavy-duty medical equipment and the constant traffic of patients and medical staff for a very long time.

Even when the time comes to replace the flooring, the modular nature of the panels means that they can be reconfigured or replaced quickly and easily without disrupting the rest of the facility, something that can be vital when certain medical facilities are open 24 hours a day.