Form and function take the floor

In industrial premises, it is important to specify building materials that will maintain both decorative and functional properties in the face of intense activity. This can be a particular challenge for the floor, which may be subjected to a long list of potentially damaging factors, such as forklift truck traffic, corrosive chemicals, thermal shock, regular cleaning, heavy impacts, point loading and more.

Appearance

This was the case recently at Pektron, one of the world’s largest privately owned electronics manufacturers, which wanted to create a showroom finish in its new manufacturing facility that would impress visitors while simultaneously being able to withstand the complex electronics production activity onsite. 

Pektron knew that if the floor failed in its Derby site or if it could not be easily cleaned, then the facility would not only present an unappealing image to clients, but that it could impair production of its products – which have to meet the high standards of some of the world’s most recognisable brands. 

To achieve this, 500m2 of a chemical resistant, epoxy resin coating was applied in a light grey colour, with 500m2 of a clear, two-component, aliphatic sealer applied on top to create a glossy, aesthetically appealing finish. The seamless and impervious properties of this specification would help Pektron keep the finish looking fresh and unblemished.

Prior to the application of the floor coating, a solvent and water free, epoxy resin damp proof membrane was laid onto the underlying substrate to protect the finish against the damaging effects of rising moisture vapour. This step was particularly necessary as the concrete slab was still very new and could be retaining a lot of moisture.

This flooring build-up, which was completed in only two days, meant that Pektron could be sure that its floor would maintain a clean and colourful appearance for an extended period of time, helping to create a good impression on visitors and clients touring the facility. 

The versatility of resin flooring solutions means that businesses can tailor them to meet specific needs. This can include incorporating antimicrobial additives, creating floors that dissipate static electricity, providing resistance to specific chemicals, broadcasting with anti-slip aggregates or choosing a rapidly curing system. 

Durability

Durability in particular was an important criterion at Street Crane’s Chapel-en-le-frith facility, which needed a floor that would be able to retain a showroom standard finish despite frequent heavy impacts and substantial point loading. 

As a manufacturer of cranes, hoists and crane components, a key part of daily operations would include moving heavy equipment around and setting it down on the floor. Street Crane knew that if the floor was not robust enough then this would quickly cause issues such as dusting and cracking.  

Street Crane undertook a thorough specification process to ensure that the right floor was installed. As part of this it went to view two sites with different systems to see which one would be the best fit. The manufacturer chose to install 2,000m2 of a four-component polyurethane flooring system in a thick coating to create a heavy-duty surface that would be up to the task at hand. Its seamless, non-tainting and non-dusting finish would also make it easy to keep the busy production area clean. 

When specifying the floor for a demanding industrial environment it is important to consider what the floor will be exposed to, what it should look like and how the finish can be tailored to enhance on-site working conditions. Central to this is discussing the site with both the supplier and applicator and if possible visiting similar locations or laying sample areas to test the effectiveness of the system before committing to a complete coating.