The raised floor panels are sustained by a supporting structure that allows them to be raised above the building base and facilitates levelling. The vertical and horizontal components are made of galvanised steel to prevent corrosion.
The structure is composed of:
1. Column: vertical supporting element consisting of a stem, base and head;
2. Gaskets: made of plastic material, they are positioned between panels and stringers and perform an antirumble and air-tight function;
3. Stringer: horizontal component (supporting or connecting) interposed between the columns with the aim of improving the stability and rigidity of the structure, and more generally the bearing capacity and overall strength of the system.
4. Thermal/acoustic insulation: insulating panels in thermobonded polyester fibre (supplied on request);
5. Impact noise insulation: multilayer backing membranes made of reticulated polyethylene and rubber (supplied on request).
Different types of supporting structure.
Depending on load requirements and system conditions, Ragno Project Department offers four types of supporting structures, which differ from the solutions offered by the market due to their superior performance.
1. TKS structure without stringers: the ceramic panels are exclusively supported by vertical columns with an 8-spoke radial head; a plastic gasket is inserted between the panels and the columns with an antirumble function. The columns are directly fixed to the base with a specific adhesive.
2. TKL structure with light stringers: the vertical columns with an 8-spoke radial head allow the snapin insertion of horizontal connection stringers with a 28x18 mm ‘C' section (light type), speeding up the installation phase and making the components of the structure immediately integral. The special shape of the column head allows the addition of diagonal bracing beams.
3. TKM structure with medium stringers: the vertical columns with an 8-spoke radial head allow the snap-in insertion of horizontal supporting stringers with a 28x38 mm ‘C' section (medium type). It is also possible to add diagonal bracing beams at the head of the columns in this type of structure.
4. TKC structure with closed heavy overhead stringer: the vertical columns have a cross-head with screws for pressure locking of the supporting stringers. The horizontal supporting stringers, resting on the heads of the columns, have a 50x25 mm rectangular section (heavy type) and a differentiated length: 1800 or 3600 mm.
Core of the raised floor
Depending on the materials from which it is made, the central core of the raised floor can be of three different types:
• Type L 38: wood and resin chipboard core panel, featuring high density and high mechanical strength, with nominal thickness of 38 mm. Lightweight, inexpensive and easy to handle, this material is classified in class E1 for formaldehyde release.
• Type K30-K34: inert material core (anhydrous calcium sulphate) reinforced with cellulose fibres with a high mechanical strength, with a nominal thickness of 30-34 mm. This material is considered the best basic product for raised floors due to its physical and mechanical properties and its total safety with regard to the emission of volatile substances.
• Encapsulated panel: calcium sulphate core, reinforced with cellulose fibres or wood and resin chipboard (with a thickness of 23-29 mm), encapsulated in a hot-dip galvanised steel sheet coating, through a double fold at the edge, to increase its load capacity. The encapsulated panel is a technologically advanced system developed by the Ragno Project Department to enhance the mechanical strength, lightness and robustness of a system that supports self-laying floors.
Accessories for indoor raised floor
The raised floor can be finished and customised with accessories, including:
• Indoor and outdoor ramps;
• Indoor and outdoor connecting steps;
• Partitions for acoustic insulation, compartmentalisation;
• Fire-fighting or airflow channelling;
• Front infill partitions;
• Grilles and perforated panels for ventilation;
• Panels with holes for electrical and data cables;
• Cable entry doors;
• External or retractable turrets with electrical and telephone sockets;
• Expansion joints;
• Suction cups for lifting panels;
• Lateral finishes with a contrast band for wall connection;
• Structural bridges.
