| SMARTdesks® Computer Floor is different than other raised access floor systems that were designed for delivering HVAC to UNIVAC-era mainframe computer rooms. |
 |
Overkill system.
NOT SMARTdesks®
SMARTdesks® Computer Floor is not a plenum for HVAC, requiring a huge crawl space, laser leveling, a steel superstructure, placement of concrete floor slabs, and achitectural compensation. Powerflor is simple and fast to install using furniture installers. |
|
| SMARTdesks® Computer Floor is an alternative to conventional methods for power and data cable management. The ceiling space has been chosen because it is considered out-of-the-way. It is also farther away from the user than the floor. SMARTdesks® Computer Floor makes an out-of-the-way space conveniently, and just enough space for the job, too. |
 |
Snarling Cable Ceiling.
NOT SMARTdesks®
SMARTdesks® Computer Floor is not 10-12 feet overhead. You don't need to take days in the ceiling, on ladders and tables, only to route cables to furniture using columns that become visual obstructions in the space. And trash the next time you need to move. |
|
Green. Green. Green.
SMARTdesks® Computer Flooris a green practice product. Unless the old system is in the way, no demolition is required to install SMARTdesks® Computer Floor. Any time you need to make a change, just lift up the outlet tile and move it, then bury the cable back into the floor.
SMARTdesks® Computer Floor is removeable and re-useable. And non-destructive when installed! If installed on top of serviceable carpet, a good steam cleaning should bring the old carpet back to life when SMARTdesks® Computer Floor is removed to install in another room.
|
 |
Waste. Waste. Waste.
NOT SMARTdesks®
Moves, Adds and Changes
don't require demolition. Be easier on the planet. |
|
| SMARTdesks® Computer Floor is a system of self-contained, interchageable tiles, based on standard carpet tile squares. No assembly required. Make outlet location changes on the fly. Make changes easily after installation. in minutes. No adhesives. No interlocking puzzle pieces. |
 |
Installation nightmare.
NOT SMARTdesks®
SMARTdesks® Computer Floor is not little pieces of stuff assembled
on-site. Not interlocking, ever-repeating fastening and adhesive squirting, day in and day out until it's done. And then it's not easy to move things around to make changes. The carpet doesn't line up with the tiles, so its's… a recurring nightmare. |
|
| |
|
|
Designed for cable management of power and data.
Not for cooling. Not for heating. Not for clean room.
SMARTdesks® Computer Flooris specifically for computer data, AV cable and power distribution to users in an architectural space: conference room, training room, classroom, office.
SMARTdesks® Computer Floor basic component: the pedestal. One standard, adhesive-backed carpet tile unitizes four pedestals. Each panel has been tested to hold over 40,000 LBS gross weight. 20 US Tons. |
 |
Basics
Four SMARTdesks® Computer Floor pedestals adhere to a standard carpet tile. This system is based on the standard carpet tile for the modular interchangeable fit.
The four pedestals flex to conform to the shape of the floor. Universal ports can be placed in the center of each pedestal. The ports accept either data ports or power outlet blocks. They can also be simple pass-throughs for AV cable. These may be customized with specialized connectors to order.
The pedestals provide cable ways 3 inches high. |
 |
|
|
Notice that the area is clean. Uncluttered. Nothing tedious to assemble. No laser leveling. No special tools. No specialized labor. This is not a dangerous operation. It is not invasive to the building structure. Perfect for historic buildings that need to accommodate computer users. No demolition required. An obsolete cabling system can be left alone if it's not in the way, so there will be less going to the land fill.
SMARTdesks® Computer Floor goes down over carpet. Carpet does not need to be removed. If installed on bare floor or concrete, a foam barrier sheet is placed under the system. This keeps the floor system silent and helps to keep tension on the compression fit. The memory of the carpet or foam pad works with the feet of the pedestals to show where to place the cables—between the feet. |
 |
The Technique
SMARTdesks® Computer Floor
is captured between four walls. The building itself locks in the system. Typically, carpeted pedestals are placed in a solid corner of the room with two walls that are continuous for some distance, such that they need no trimming in.
The floor is laid diagonally, continually pressed into the corner for a compression fitting. Trimming in the perimeter competes the compression fit.
Cable is not placed until the system structure is complete. |
 |
|
|
SMARTdesks® Computer Floor are wall-to-wall systems. The grid must be locked in, physically, on all four sides. If one or two sides ramps up from the floor, physical forms are hammer drilled into the concrete to provide a solid structure.
Corner frame has hammer-drilled anchors into concrete subfloor to capture carpet tiles. The compression fit is between the carpet tiles, not the plastic pedestals. A transition trim moulding mates the carpeted surfaces. |
 |
The Perimeter
SMARTdesks® Computer Floor
is trimmed in to fit gaps in the perimeter, then adhesive-backed carpet tile is scribed and cut. This conveys positive surface contact force to the wall to complete the compression fit.
These perimeter pedestals are not weight bearing and no cable will pass beneith them. The fins allow them to be easily cut to fit small gaps and odd shapes. |
 |
|
|
SMARTdesks® Computer Floorpower cable and outlets are UL Approved. They are placed on the floor according to the diagram provided. The outlets just snap together. The cables plug into keyed connections. They cannot be assembled unsafely.
The whip is installed into the building service box by a licensed electrician. That can be done after the floor is completed with minimal coordination of trades.
This is a typical diagram for tile, outlet and cable placement provided with SMARTdesks' furniture floor plan superimposed. This is the FFIT Program: Floor+Furniture Integration Technology. |
 |
The Power
SMARTdesks® Computer Floor
power components are universal. View the video to see how the system snaps together and gets buried under the floor. |
 |
|
|
Metal powdercoated, hinged cover works with power or data connectors.
Cable pass-thru port works with any cable. Especially good for working with AV. |
 |
The Power Connection
SMARTdesks® Computer Floor
has universal ports which accept both power and data cable connectors. |
 |
|
 |
 |
The Data Connection
SMARTdesks® Computer Floor
universal ports support RJ45 connectors. Custom plates may be made up with connectors of your choosing.
Back to top |
|
|
|
Introducing the
FFITness Program:
SMARTdesks® is focused on flexibility—creating furniture for the way people and technology are used in group settings. This philosophy is the premise for the SMARTdesks® FFITness Program: Floor & Furniture Integration Technology (FFIT). Many of the distinctions are shape and arrangement of the furniture within the space to promote the flow of communication, shaping group dynamics. Those who conduct different types of activities in the same space want the ability to change the arrangement. Using conventional construction methods for routing power and data, the arrangement must be fixed. Adding SMARTdesks® Computer Floor to the equation allows the total flexibility in the architectural space. Outlets for power and data can be moved as easily as the furniture.
The SMARTdesks® FFITness Program is a coordinated plan for the entire architectural space. Using SMARTdesks® Design Services, provided at no cost or obligation to the customer, furniture is specified and floor plan arrangements are developed for the customer or architect. Based on the area of the space, the number of power and data outlets and the number of entrances, a budget for the computer floor is developed. Upon acceptance, the room arrangement is overlaid with a tile-by-tile computer floor plan, complete with wiring scheme and placement of outlets for the furniture in the space. ADA compliant ramps are included and powdercoated steel railings are designed and fabricated custom for each installation. The floor and the furniture arrive on the same truck. The same installation team can be used for the floor and the furniture. The electrician can be scheduled to install the power whip into the service box at the customer’s convenience. The IT installs the data cables in the server. SMARTdesks® takes the responsibility of guaranteeing that the power and data is located to serve the technology in the SMARTdesks® furniture.
 |
|
 |
 See the SMARTdesks® Difference. Computer Floor Made Easy.
|
