An alternative method of construction for certain specific applications is the welded steel RF shielding system. Panaweld RF Shielded Rooms are constructed from 2 mm thick (thicker for special applications and high magnetic shielding effectiveness) hot rolled steel sheet on the walls and ceiling and 6 mm thick hot rolled plate for floors. According to requirements the floor may be dielectrically isolated with a polyethylene material and 12 mm thick cement board, or similar material.
The walls and ceiling of a welded room are supported using structural steel sections suitably designed for the local seismic conditions (where applicable) and to accept any additional loads such as lighting, ferrite or pyramidal absorbers.
Intermediate steel sections are also installed to ensure that that there is a suitable back up at each continuously welded joint. To attain maximum flatness the grid pattern for these structural sections is less than 1.2 x1.2 m.
The steel sheets/plates are first stitch welded and finally continuously welded using the MIG welding process to minimise distortion. All joints are inspected using a shielding Effectiveness Leak Detection System (SELDS) unit. Any faulty weld areas are reworked as necessary.