Conductive Floors, Shoes,Mats, and Wristbands

DOE-HDBK-1092-2004

5.1.4.3 CONDUCTIVE FLOORS, SHOES, MATS, AND WRISTBANDS

Conductive floors and shoes should be used for grounding personnel conducting operations

involving explosives that have an electrostatic sensitivity of 0.1 joule or less. Many flammable

liquids and air mixtures can be ignited by static discharge from a person. In areas where

personnel come close enough to have possible contact with static-sensitive explosives or

vapors, conductive floors shall be installed except where the hazards of dust-air or flammable

vapor-air mixtures are eliminated by adequate housekeeping, dust collection, ventilation, or

solvent-recovery methods. Conductive floors may also be required where operations are

performed involving EEDs that contain a static-sensitive explosive.

Conductive floors are not required throughout a building or room if the hazard remains localized.

In such cases, conductive mats or runners may suffice. These mats or runners shall be subject

to all the specifications and test requirements that apply to conductive floors. Conductive

wristbands may be substituted for conductive mats and footwear at fixed, grounded

workstations or outdoor location.

5.1.4.4 SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONDUCTIVE FLOORS AND WRISTBANDS

Conductive floors shall be made of nonsparking materials such as conductive rubber or

conductive flooring material and shall meet the following requirements:

1. The flooring and its grounding system shall provide for electrical resistance not to exceed

1,000,000 ohms (measured as specified in Section 5.1.4.5).

2. The surface of the installed floor shall be reasonably smooth and free from cracks. The

material shall not slough off, wrinkle, or buckle under operating conditions. Conductive tiles

are not recommended for use in areas where contamination can be caused by explosive

dust. The large number of joints and the tendency of tiles to loosen provide areas where

explosive dust can become lodged and that are not easy to clean with normal cleaning

procedures.

3. Where conductive floors and shoes are required, resistance between the ground and the

wearer shall not exceed 1,000,000 ohms, which is the total resistance of conductive shoes

on a person plus the resistance of floor to ground. Where conductive floors and shoes are

required, tabletops on which exposed explosives or dust are encountered shall be covered

with a properly grounded conductive material meeting the same requirements as those for

flooring.

4. Conductive floors shall be compatible with the explosive materials to be processed.

5. Conductive wristbands shall not exceed a resistance of 1,000,000 ohms between the wearer

and ground. This resistance shall be measured with a suitably calibrated ohmmeter.

Wristbands shall be of a design that maintains electrical contact with the wearer when

tension is applied to the ground lead wire or the wristband is placed under strain.

5.1.4.5 CONDUCTIVE FLOOR TEST

Before use, tests shall be conducted on all conductive floors; subsequent tests shall be made at

least semiannually. Test results shall be permanently recorded and a copy filed in a central

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