Friday 14 October 2011

A Run-Down Of Types And Purposes Of Industrial Flooring

By Adriana Noton


One of the most commonly used materials in industrial flooring today is an epoxy resin, applied in different ways, though some facilities also use tiles. Each of these resins is defined by its ability to cope with a number of different criteria and situations.

A floor's resistance to chemicals is a prime consideration, as is its ability to tolerate abrasive contact. A floor should also be non-slip and have a good quality decorative finish. In areas of light production work, the resin is usually applied in the form of a paint or liquid. Places where heavier industrial processes are taking place often have floors laid by trowel, with these often known as 'screeds'.

Screeds help provide a floor with improved durability, especially if heavy loads are being used. They can also boost a surface's slip resistance, something which takes on greater importance when the floor is wet for periods of time due to regular cleaning or the kind of industrial process being carried out.

The resistance of a floor to chemicals and corrosion is especially important in industrial environments in order to protect buildings from extreme processes. The flooring used in such cases usually consists of chemically resistant screeds or coatings, as well as anti-corrosion barrier coatings, often applied as paints. Some of these methods can also be applied retrospectively to floors to repair damage already sustained.

Hygiene is another consideration for the type of surface installed. Many facilities, particularly those involved in food production, need to keep facilities as clean as possible. Stain resistance and slip resistance are also important considerations; if hygiene is important that the floor will need to be cleaned frequently and may therefore be often wet.

Floor tiles are another way of making floor surfaces fit for industrial purposes. Tiles have the advantage of being easy to transport, move and, if necessary, re-use. They are also much easier to install than a full liquid-applied resin or a screed.

Liquid screeds are another method of flooring which has grown in popularity in recent years, especially in Europe. This type of screed can be installed in a much less labour intensive way by small teams of workers, unlike more traditional, trowel-laid screeds. They also lead to a flatter floor, and quality control is much easier as the screed comes premixed, with viscosity being checked just ahead of final installation.

A liquid screed cab also boost the thermal conductivity of a floor, leading to greater efficiency and fewer costs should an underfloor heating system be in place in the facility. Floor finishes can also generally be more quickly applied, as the floor can be laid to a slightly greater depth.

Solvent-free epoxy resins are becoming more popular in recent years; these possess a number of advantages over their solvent-based counterparts. For a start, they are almost odor-free, meaning that floors can be laid in occupied buildings. Drying times are also significantly reduced, with the result that the surface can be utilized much more quickly.

With a variety of industrial flooring available for different facilities and purposes, expert help and evaluation are crucial before deciding on the course any possible project should take.




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