A raised technical floor (also known as technical flooring) is a structure that creates a raised floor on a solid base - generally a concrete slab or tiles -, leaving a lower hidden space for the passage of mechanical, electrical and communications installations.

This type of floor is widely used in modern office buildings, and especially in specialized areas such as data processing centers (DPC) or control rooms), where it is necessary to channel services, wiring and electrical supplies.

The raised floor can be installed at different heights, from a few centimeters (±5 cm) to more than one meter, depending on the space required for the services it houses. When height allows, the lower space can be accessed for maintenance tasks.

In the United States and Europe, the use of raised floors as part of the underfloor air distribution system is common, which uses the space under the floor as a plenum for air conditioning. The conditioned air circulates below the floor and rises through perforated tiles located under the equipment or workstations, guaranteeing efficient and uniform cooling.

The traditional raised floor consists of a metal grid or substructure with height-adjustable pedestals, on which removable panels (usually 60 × 60 cm) are supported. The height of the pedestals depends on the volume of wiring or conduits to be housed, with a minimum clearance of about 15 cm, although the normal range is between 60 and 120 cm.

The panels are usually made of steel-covered chipboard or steel with a cement core, and can be covered with carpet, laminate, marble, stone or antistatic materials (common in computer rooms).

Data centers

In modern data centers, the raised floor allows the conditioned air to be distributed from the subfloor to the equipment areas using perforated or diffuser tiles. This system improves energy efficiency and thermal control.