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#1 Posted : 08 June 2007 13:08:00(UTC)
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Posted By grumpy
We have just moved into a new building (new build) and a number of people are getting static shocks from a couple of metal/glass doors.
We have tried rubber matting with no luck - can anyone suggest anything we can do you stop this.
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#2 Posted : 08 June 2007 13:13:00(UTC)
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Posted By Gff
Try avoiding cheap nylon shirts.

Check for earth bonds and check the humidity if it's too dry it could cause a problem

Rubber matting/shoes won't work its you who is charged and you who is discharging into the structures. This would only make the charge build up more in between discharges.
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#3 Posted : 08 June 2007 13:14:00(UTC)
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Posted By Bob Shillabeer
Are you sure its static? If so take a look at the door seals, they may be of a nylon substance which may be causing it. If you are unsure get a lecy to test it.
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#4 Posted : 08 June 2007 13:18:00(UTC)
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Posted By Brian Rudge
Grumpy,
I bet your nice new office has some nice new manmade fibre carpets that when your staff walk on causes them to build up the static charge that then causes the shock when they touch a metal component that 'earths' them.

Brian
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#5 Posted : 08 June 2007 13:33:00(UTC)
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Posted By Linda Westrupp
If an electrician has checked it and there isn't a problem with the door seals have you tried treating the carpets with an anti-static treatment? I find that it works to a certain extent as does advising staff not to wear nylon and other man made fibre underwear, adding lots of green plants to the office to increase humidity or installing humidifiers. Sorry its Friday and my brain can't think of anything else
Good luck
Linda
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#6 Posted : 08 June 2007 15:39:00(UTC)
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Posted By steve e ashton
Rubber mats are probably the worst thing you could put down! To reduce static discharge, it is best to provide conducting floor coverings that disippate charge effectively - not insulating ones which isolate the potential differences causing charge build-up. Previous suggestions have included increasing the conductivity of man-made fibre carpets by spraying with water mist or with one of the household fabric softeners (Comfort or similar).

If all else fails, suggest that those worst affected carry metal pens and discharge against the door frame before trying to open the doors - I have almost been reduced to doing this in my local supermarket, where the freezer displays are forever at a different potential to myself after walking on their rubberised flooring!

Hope this helps.

Steve

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