ABSTRACT: Walking on the floor can cause electrostatic charging of personnel. The simple act of lifting the foot from the floor results in the accumulation of electrostatic charge on personnel, their clothing, and whatever they are carrying. This phenomenon is referred to as "Triboelectric charging" and can be minimized by treating and controlling the surface properties of the floor by incorporating into the manufacture of the floor, statically dissipative materials.

This document defines the Telcordia view of minimum requirements for Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protective floors or floor coverings used to control the electrostatic charging of personnel while walking when using heel straps or conductive ESD shoes. The document defines the minimum generic electrostatic, mechanical, chemical, and environmental requirements for static dissipative floors and the adhesives used to bond floor covering to the sub-floor.