Raised Access floor

1) Is a system of elevated platforms suspended over the structural floor to allow location for
the huge volume of power, telephone, data cabling etc.

2) Two types of access floor,

a) Partial access
i) Access is limited, possibly into simple floor ducts secured with the floor finishes.
ii) Most suited for access to main cabling for power and lightning, void depths limited to
about 100mm.
iii) Provide flexibility for changes in cable distribution
b) Full access
i) Standard size of 600 x 600mm interchangeable floor panels elevated on adjustable
pedestals to provide multi-directional void space
ii) Height usually vary between 100 and 600mm, extreme can be as little as 50mm and
as much as 2m are possible.

Demountable partitions
1) Partitions considered to be internal walls that are lightweight, non-load bearing, demountable
or movable.

2) Demountable partitions can usually be taken down, moved and re-erected without any
notable damage to the materials, components, finishes and surrounding parts of the building.

3) Movable partition usually takes form of a series of doors or doors leaves hung to slide.

4) Factors should be considered when selecting a demountable partition,

a) Fixing and stability
i) Points to be considered are bottom and top fixing, joints between sections.
ii) Top fixing
 For ceiling tolerance of the same magnitude
 Problems arise when used with suspended ceiling as little or no pressure
can be applied to the suspended ceiling
 Problem can be solved by fixing a brace or panel in the ceiling void directly
over the partition below to give required stability
 Partition can also pass through the ceiling but this would reduce the flexibility
iii) Bottom fixing
 2 common methods of bottom fixing are screw jack fixing and horizontal
base unit
 Both methods are intended to be fixed above the finished floor level
b) Sound insulation
i) The degree of sound insulation required will depend largely upon the usage of
rooms created by the partitions.
ii) The level of sound insulation will depend on,
(1) The density of the partition
(2) Degree of demountability
(3) The continuity of the partition with the floor and ceiling
iii) Less demountable partition, better sound insulation
iv) Partitions fixed between structural floors will have good sound insulation
v) Partitions fixed between structural floors and suspended ceiling will have poor sound
insulation due to the flanking sound path over the head of the partition
vi) To improve insulation,
 A sound insulating panel could be inserted in the ceiling void directly over the
partition below
 Or partition can pass through the suspended ceiling.

c) Fire resistance
i) The main restrictions on the choice of the partition is the requirements for the fire-
resistant properties, spread of flame, fire stopping and providing a suitable means
of escape during fire.
ii) Weakest point in any demountable partition will be the openings and the seals at the
foot and head.
iii) Fire stopping at the head of the partition used in conjunction with a suspended
ceiling usually takes the form of a fire break panel fixed in the ceiling void directly
over the partition below