SPECIFICATION

PART 1 – GENERAL

 

SUMMARY

  1. This section includes the following:

    1. Access floor system consisting of gravity held, modular steel base units, corner plates, channel plates, border units and accessories. All system components shall be steel. No plastic, cement or wood components will be accepted.

 

1.SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

  1. Maximum height from subfloor to top of access flooring system shall not exceed 2.85 inches (70 mm).

  2. Floor units shall be removable by one person without the need for tools or special lifting devices.

  3. System deadload shall not exceed 6 pounds per square foot.


  4. FreeAxez is not intended as a duct, plenum or air handling space; accordingly, non-plenum rated cabling is permitted under the FreeAxez floor.


 

2.PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
  1. Structural Performance: Provide access flooring systems capable of withstanding the following load and stresses, as determined by testing manufacturer's current standard products according to applicable procedures in CISCA A/F, “Recommended Test Procedures for Access Floors”:

    1. Concentrated-Load Performance: Capable of withstanding the following concentrated design load applied to panels, with a top-surface deflection under load and a permanent set not to exceed, respectively, 0.13 inch and 0.010 inch (3.30 and 0.25mm).

      1. 2500lbf (11120N)

    2. Ultimate – Load Performance: Capable of withstanding a minimum ultimate concentrated load equal to 2.5 times concentrated design load applied to panels, without failing.

    3. Rolling-Load Performance: Capable of withstanding the following rolling loads applied to panels, with a combination of local and overall deformation no to exceed 0.040 inch (1.02 mm) after exposure to rolling load over CISCA A/F Path A or B, whichever path produces the greatest top-surface deformation.

      1. CISCA A/F Wheel 1 Rolling Load: 1200 lbf (5338 N)
      2. CISCA A/F Wheel 2 Rolling Load: 1000 lbf (4448 N)

  2. Floor Panel Impact-Load Performance: Capable of withstanding an impact load of 75 lbf (334 N) when dropped from 36 inches (914 mm) onto a 1-sq. in. (6.5 sq. cm) area located anywhere on panel, without failing.

  3. Earthquake Load Performance: Capable of withstanding a lateral seismic force (Fp) in seismic zone applicable to this Project, according to requirements of < Insert applicable code >.

  4. Panel-to Understructure Resistance: Not more than 10 ohms.

 

3.SUBMITTALS
  1. Product Data: For each product indicated.

  2. Shop Drawings: Include plans, sections, details, and attachments to other Work.

    1. Verify dimensions of areas for installation by field measurements and indicate measurements on Shop Drawings.

  3. Samples: For each component.

 

4.QUALITY ASSURANCE
  1. NFPA Standard: Comply with NFPA 75 requirements for raised flooring.

  2. Qualifications: Letter to authenticate manufacturer's required experience.

  3. Mockups: Build mockups to verify selections made under sample Submittals and to demonstrate aesthetic effects and qualities of materials and execution.

    1. Approved mockups may become part of the completed Work if undisturbed at time of Substantial Completion.

  4. Pre-installation Conference: Conduct conference at Project site.

 

5.EXTRA MATERIALS
  1. Furnish extra materials described below that match product installed and that are packaged with protective covering for storage and identified with labels describing contents.

    1. Base Units: 2%
    2. Corner Plates: 2%
    3. Channel Plates: 2%

 

PART 2 – PRODUCTS

1.MANUFACTURER
  1. Manufacturer (except as otherwise noted)


    Free Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Free Annex 2-1-1 Higashi-Ueno
    Taito-ku, Tokyo , JAPAN 110-0015
    Exclusive North American Distributor

    Free Axez USA
    420 Keim Blvd.
    Burlington , NJ 08016
    (609) 747-8515
    (609) 239-9284 fax
    Attn: Earl G. Geertgens III

    1. System Designation: FREE AXEZ - 40 or FREE AXEZ – 70
    2. Manufacturers: Subject to compliance with requirements, provide products by the manufacturers specified.

 

2.COMPONENTS
  1. Standard Components

    1. Base Units/FA-4001 14.6 inches x 14.6 inches x 1.6 inches. All steel, smooth surface with integral support legs.
    2. Corner Plates/FA-4002 7.8 inches x 7.8 inches. Snap-in tabs to match Base Units.
    3. Channel Plates/FA-4003 11.7 inches x 5 inches.
    4. Under Sheet/FA-4004

  2. Border Components

    1. Half Units/FA-4101
    2. Half Channel/FA-4102
    3. L-type Border/FA-4103
    4. End Cover/FA-4104
    5. Reinforcing Band/FA-4105
    6. Trapezoid Plate/FA-4106
    7. L-type Trapezoid/FA-4107
    8. Jumbo Plate/FA-4108

  3. Optional Components:

    1. Slope (steel)/FA-4201
    2. Frame (stainless)/FA-4206
    3. External-angle slope/FA-4203
    4. Right-side covered slope/FA-4204
    5. Left-side covered slope/FA-4205
    6. L400/FA-4208
    7. Frame end cap/FA-4209
    8. Air-vent louver/FA-4210
    9. Anchor plate/FA-4211
    10. Outlet Cover/FA-4212
    11. Wiring base unit/FA-4213
    12. Wiring outlet/FA-4214, FA/4215

  4. Provide bare panels without factory-applied floor covering on traffic surfaces.

  5. Ramps: Manufacturer's standard ramp construction of width and slope indicated, but not steeper than 1:12, with raised-disc rubber or vinyl floor covering.

 

PART 3 – EXECUTION

1.EXAMINATION
  1. Examine substrates upon which work will be installed.

    1. Verify that subfloor is true and level to 3/8”in 10 feet.
    2. Verify that loose or deteriorating resilient floor coverings have been removed.

  2. Coordinate with responsible party to perform necessary corrective work on unsatisfactory substrates.

  3. Commencement of work by installer is acceptance of substrate.

 

2.PREPARATION
  1. Complete any necessary subfloor preparation, and vacuum clean subfloor to remove dust, dirt, and construction debris before beginning installation.

 

3.INSTALLATION
  1. Read the important installation notes in Appendix A of this document prior to installation

  2. Install access-flooring system under supervision of access flooring manufacturer's authorized representative to produce a rigid, firm installation free of vibration, rocking, rattles, and squeaks.

  3. Place under- sheet without wrinkles.

  4. Lay out floor system according to manufacturer's installation instructions

  5. Set all base units in place.

  6. Place standard units (channel plates and corner plates) into slots in base units to form a continuous, interlocked system.

  7. Adjust base units to accommodate uneven sub floor.

  8. Provide a close fit with adjoining walls. No voids greater than 1/8 inch (3 mm) where panels abut vertical surfaces.

  9. Level installed access flooring to within 0.10 inch (2.54 mm) of true level over entire access flooring area and within 0.062 inch (1.6 mm) in any 10-foot (3-m) distance.

  10. Protection: After completing installation, vacuum clean access flooring and cover with continuous sheets of reinforced paper or plastic. Maintain protective covering until time of Substantial Completion.



    Appendix A: Installation Note


    Protecting the FreeAxez floor after initial installation prior to floor covering

    Debris Control

    If there is an extended exposure of the FreeAxez floor prior to applying the floor covering, it is recommended that the area be covered with a minimum 4 mil plastic or vinyl sheet to contain construction dust and debris.

    If partitions are to be installed on top of the FreeAxez floor, cover this area prior to installing the partitions as a precaution to contain construction dust and debris.

    Applied Rolling Loads
    If heavy loads must be moved over the floor prior to the floor covering application, take the following precautions:

    Protect the floor with either masonite, luan or sheetmetal along the intended path of the rolling load to protect the metal and disperse concentrations of force.
    Transport the load (hand-truck, pallet jack, forklift etc.) on top of the protected path of travel.


    Screws for Bolting Ramps and Stainless Steel Edge Anchors to SubFloor

    Recommend Fastener: 3/16" x 1-1/4" Concrete Anchor:
    Buildex Model Tapcon 3/16" x 1-1/4" or equivalent.
    corrosion resistant coating
    reversible and removable thread pattern

    Procedure:
    Drill a hole a minimum of 1-1/2" depth.
    Position the fixture to be fastened. Insert the anchor screw into the nut driver or Phillips bit
    Drive the anchor screw into the pre-drilled hole until the anchor is fully imbedded

    Note: When attaching Ramp, it may be necessary to expand the pilot hole by pre-drilling to 3/8" to allow nut driver through the opening when anchoring the base of the ramp.


    Static Issues


    Should the FreeAxez floor be electrically grounded?
    What steps are recommended to control Electro-Static Discharge (ESD)?

    One of our strengths is that we are not bolted to the floor. Special considerations exist relative to static control and conductivity.

    Though the FreeAxez floor is all steel construction, it does not conduct electricity across the floor surface as each part is isolated by design via nylon insulator sheets at all connections. This is an important voltage spike containment safety feature.

    FreeAxez can be considered neutral from a static perspective. However, since FreeAxez is not grounded, it is neither a solution nor a contributor to ESD (Electro-Static Discharge.)

    If FreeAxez is to be installed in a static-sensitive application, one or more of the following precautions may become necessary:
    Humidity Control(shall be a minimum level of 50%)
    Application of static-dissipative floor coatings / wax
    Installation of static-dissipative carpet or vinyl floor covering

    In extreme cases, consider one of the following:
    Install a copper grounding wire between the floor covering and the FreeAxez flooring system every 500LF, terminated to ground.
    Use a conductive underlayment in lieu of the FreeAxez foam undersheet to provide continuous grounding of the floor.