Raised Floor

A raised floor (also raised flooring) or access floor(ing) (also raised access computer floor) are types of floor that provide an elevated structural floor above a solid substrate (often a concrete slab) to create a hidden void for the passage of mechanical and electrical services. They are widely used in modern office buildings, and in specialized areas such as command centers, IT data centers and computer rooms where there is a requirement to route mechanical services and cables, wiring, and electrical supply. Raised/Access Flooring can be installed at varying heights from 2 inches (51 mm) to heights above 4 feet (1,200 mm) to suit services that may be accommodated beneath. Additional structural support and lighting are often provided when a floor is raised enough for a person to crawl or even walk beneath.

In the U.S., underfloor air distribution is becoming a more common way to cool a building by using the void below the raised floor as a plenum chamber to distribute conditioned air, as has been done in Europe since the 1970s.

Read more about Raised Floor:  Design, Panel-lifter, Structural Problems, Cooling Load Implications, Telecommunications Data Center Applications

Famous quotes containing the words raised and/or floor:

    An interesting play cannot in the nature of things mean anything but a play in which problems of conduct and character of personal importance to the audience are raised and suggestively discussed.
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    Don’t you know there are 200 temperance women in this county who control 200 votes. Why does a woman work for temperance? Because she’s tired of liftin’ that besotted mate of hers off the floor every Saturday night and puttin’ him on the sofa so he won’t catch cold. Tonight we’re for temperance. Help yourself to them cloves and chew them, chew them hard. We’re goin’ to that festival tonight smelling like a hot mince pie.
    Laurence Stallings (1894–1968)