Anti-Static (ESD) Flooring Explained

Anti-static, or ESD, flooring drains static charge to ground. A standard epoxy floor is an insulator, so walking on it builds up static. ESD floors are used where static could damage electronics or ignite flammable materials. The floor is only one part of an ESD program, so a consultant should specify the system.

Why a normal floor is not enough

A standard epoxy floor is insulating, so a person walking across it can build up a static charge. ESD (electrostatic discharge) floors, also called static-dissipative or conductive floors, inhibit that build-up from reaching sensitive equipment. One source gives resistance ranges of 1 to 1,000 megohms for static-dissipative floors and 0.025 to 1 megohm for conductive ones.

Where they are used

Australian and international supplier material lists clean rooms, operating theatres, electronics manufacturing, semiconductor processing, flammable solvent stores and plants that handle combustible dusts such as grain and sugar. We did not find an Australian rule that says exactly where an ESD floor is mandatory, so treat the use list as supplier guidance.

Standards named by suppliers

Supplier pages name ANSI/ESD S20.20 and IEC 61340. One Australian supplier says its epoxy antistatic finish meets ANSI/ESD S20.20 criteria for the system resistance of a person through the floor to ground, and another says its ESD tile system complies with IEC 61340-4-5 when combined with ESD boot straps. Check the current standards and the product test certificate.

A floor is one part of a program

A full ESD program also uses ESD footwear, grounded table tops and wrist straps. Specific site requirements should be confirmed with an ESD consultant or the relevant Australian standards. Chemical-resistant flooring is a different product and is not covered here because we have not researched it.

Related reading

Resin floors start with a prepared slab: epoxy moisture barrier and what is epoxy flooring. Cost context is in epoxy flooring cost in NSW, though ESD systems are specialist and priced differently.

Find contractors

NSW Flooring lists 56 businesses with a confirmed epoxy service, from Google Maps, retrieved 22 October 2026. The directory does not tag ESD experience, so ask each directly. Examples: epoxy flooring western sydney, epoxy flooring south west sydney and epoxy flooring newcastle & hunter. See how this directory collects data.

Quick answers

Does epoxy conduct static? A standard epoxy floor does not; ESD versions are formulated to.

Who specifies an ESD floor? An ESD consultant, per the sources, working to the relevant standard.