The best green office solution that you don't know about yet

When you think about greening your office, you probably think about recycling paper, or improving indoor air quality. But your workspace also needs to organize hundreds of cables and wires, accommodate computer networks, telephones, and appliances—and still be kept safe and well maintained (to keep that air quality improved). Is there a sustainable solution? Yes: your best green bet here is a metal raised access floor—in fact, the right floor can contribute LEED credits to your building and stay entirely out of the waste stream. Look for a modular, all steel construction: both recycled and recyclable. Your steel raised access floor can contribute LEED credits, specifically MR Credits 1 - 4: Building Reuse, Construction Waste Management, Materials Reuse, and Recycled Content. A steel product is 100% recyclable and meets local and national fire regulations: you'll get a green light from the fire chief who, in New York City, will not allow a wood, particle-board, or plastic floor. Find a steel floor that may be installed with non-plenum rated cabling—this keeps the toxins found on the sheathing out of the food chain, and provides re-use capability, allowing older buildings to meet current (and future) technology and connectivity requirements. Steel has exceptional load bearing strength, and handles heavy static and rolling loads. This strong, tough flooring can be picked up, moved, and rearranged hundreds of times without deteriorating—it won't get torn out and thrown away. As an additional cash flow and environment saver, some raised access floors can be leased. For computer and server rooms, a low profile system will save valuable vertical space. Nobody wants or likes low ceilings—it makes the space feel small and cramped. A low profile floor saves on ramp space and eliminates the need for costly handrails. The right flooring system makes changes to wiring and outlets quick, easy and inexpensive. To add equipment and wires, simply remove the finish tile and lift the channel plates along the wiring path; new wires are installed in seconds instead of hours. With quick-connect floor boxes, outlets for computers and power can be relocated in seconds. A major benefit of these floors is their ability to enhance workplace performance and equipment room environments. Look for a system that is non-combustible, solid, and that has excellent grounding and electrical continuity. Additionally, some are interchangeable with other panel strengths. Your raised access floor has another green benefit: it's finished with carpet, VCT, ceramic, or wood tiles—which can be easily refurbished or replaced one at a time, keeping waste out of overburdened landfills. To save energy, landfill space, and benefit lower-budget buildings and renovations, clean and donate used tiles to Habitat For Humanity, The Loading Dock, or New York Waste Match (www.wastematch.org/). Get your building working today—be clean and green with steel raised access flooring. Sheri Gorman LEED AP is director of business development and marketing and James McVoy is senior account executive for RD Weis Companies, Port Chester, N.Y.