ACCESS FLOORS CHECKLIST: Doing It Right
1. Specify high-performance glazings and adequate curtainwall insulation to avoid cold pockets at perimeter workstations. 2. Seal the building envelope carefully be-cause the floor plenum will be pressurized. 3. Reduce the depth of dropped ceiling plenums to take advantage of height gains—there is no need for supply ducts in the ceiling. 4. Use light shelves or other shading devices to keep direct solar radiation away from floor level—at a higher level, displace-ment ventilation will carry away heat before it affects the occupied space. 5. Handle dehumidification separately from cooling to maximize energy savings from higher-temperature air distribution. 6. Take advantage of the extended economizer range to reduce cooling energy use. 7. Clean the underfloor plenum thoroughly before installing the access floor system. 8. Specify diffusers and a carpet tile system that allow easy reconfiguration while reusing carpet tile. 9. With wood composite floor panels, specify non-formaldehyde-offgassing products, such as straw particleboard. 10. Specify natural surfacing for floor panels if available, such as linoleum or cork. Linoleum has inherent anti-static properties, so savings may be achieved by leaving out static control wiring. 11. If concrete floor panels are used, take the thermal storage capacity into account when sizing HVAC equipment. 12. Make sure that at least one diffuser is provided in every office cubicle. 13. Save money by specifying non-electri-fied office furniture. 14. Provide training so that office staff will understand the air distribution system and operate it for maximum comfort.
