Procedures & hints for selecting the correct industrial floor covering
Industrial flooring can be broken down into four main product types, for heavy duty applications, resin (epoxy, polyurethane and methyl methacrylate), interlocking floor tiles, specialist concrete finishes that incorporate reinforcement or hardeners and for lighter duty applications vinyl flooring.
Whether building new facilities or renovating and repairing existing facilities the primary objective is to end up with a facility that is practical, fit for purpose and cost effective. A well designed and installed floor system is essential to meeting these primary goals.
The floor is often forgotten about in the design process despite the fact that it is the main work platform in any factory or warehouse and has a significant effect on production and plant efficiency, and if the floor goes wrong it is one of the areas likely to cause the most disruption and cost in the event of repair or failure. The floor must resist mechanical, chemical and thermal stresses. It must also provide a safe work surface for employees, give a favourable impression to clients, as well as meet all the conditions set out by regulatory agencies.
Two factors are particularly important in the selection of a high quality, yet economical industrial floor systems: a prioritized list of operational requirements, and analysis and preparation of a plan for the installation of the new surface in a manner that suits your operational procedures. To select the right floor system, both of these factors must be examined in detail. This is the only way to ensure that the industrial flooring meets the requirements of the project and is cost effective.
The following is a list of the most common criteria that you should consider
Primary requirements that must be considered on all projects:
1. Expected service life (two, five, 10 or 20 years)
2. Structural requirements to accommodate both static and dynamic loads
3. Colour and appearance: is the floor functional or aesthetic?
Project specific requirements that vary widely:
4. Type of traffic and mechanical wear: (eg: pedestrian, vehicles fork trucks etc)
5. Chemical resistances: oils, greases, alkalis, acids, solvents, cleaning agents
6. Temperatures: thermal shock, constant heat or cold
7. Slip resistance: wet or dry process areas, smooth or textured finish
8. Hygiene: high standards of cleanliness and decontamination
9. Impact resistance: point loading, pallets, drums, tools and machinery
10. Rapid cure: shut down time frame for installation
11. New, damp or contaminated concrete:
12. Risk of product contamination - VOC-free: non-taint, odourless?
13. Conductive anti-static: ESD requirements?
14. UV resistance: discolouration and degradation of the surface
15. Crack bridging: watertight seal, containment of liquids
16. Cleaning and maintenance: preferred method of cleaning
The substrate is the basis of a floor system whether it is new or old. Thorough inspection and assessment are essential to determine the correct substrate preparation for a successful flooring system. If the substrate is new, damp, dusty, damaged or contaminated look at a loose lay interlocking tile system for example, alternatively you may have to consider installing a new screed over the existing substrate or investigate specialist surface preparation methods such as HCA (hot compressed air) or scabbling.
Once your data is in hand, an educated selection of the best solution becomes apparent. Often this approach will lead you to one or two specific solutions that meet all of your requirements, both during the construction phase and after the floor goes in service. It is important to note that care must be taken to detail your requirements accurately; omissions or inaccurate assumptions lead to a flawed selection process. The result could be construction delays, additional cost, or, in the worst case, complete floor failure.
Remember, the most expensive floor in any facility is the one that needs to be replaced prematurely. Good planning and execution will improve your odds of success.
ecotile® suregrip® ergomat® The Versatile Flooring Company
Copyright © 2007 The Versatile Flooring Company Ltd., All rights reserved.
