Understanding the Specifications
Before we can design the layout and functionality of an access floor we must first determine the load capacity and tolerance. To do this we must ask:

  1. What will the floor be used for? i.e. data/power/plenum
  2. What is the environment and purpose of the building? i.e. general office area, gaming area, education facility etc
  3. What equipment if any will be placed or rolled onto the floor on a routine basis?
    i.e. racks, safes, cabinets etc
  4. Are there any foreseeable changes, that will alter the concept of the original floors? i.e. a small computer room being changed into a heavy duty equipment data room

Once these questions have been resolved, we may then select the loading grade of the panel. But in order to understand the different load tolerances, we must define what loads the access floor and pedestals will incur.