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SECTOR FOCUS FLOORING IN HEALTHCARE

In this section:
F Ball and Co | Mapei | Gerfl or

Flooring on DOCTOR’S ORDERS!

Patients’ needs are a priority when flooring is installed in healthcare locations

Maintaining a healthy speed
ITH flooring installations in ‘Achieving a long-lasting, therefore, be carried out to determine
Whealthcare settings, there’s often professional flooring finish in the relative humidity (RH) levels of the

a particular need for speed to enable subfloor. Where the RH levels are above
areas to be brought into use as quickly healthcare settings requires 75%, some form of moisture management

as possible. Long-term value is another following best practice in subfloor solution will be required to prevent the
consideration for public sector projects. preparation’ possibility of floor failure (in areas where
Also, floors in a poor state of repair can bonded wood floorcoverings will be
be a breeding ground for bacteria, causing available that, when used together and installed, the RH limit is reduced to 65%).
a contamination risk. Products used to applied correctly, allow floorcoverings to The usual method for controlling excess
install floorcoverings can also have an be installed quickly, easily and safely. subfloor moisture is the application of
influence on safety, with some adhesives Moisture management a liquid waterproof surface membrane.
and smoothing compounds presenting Before installing new floorcoverings, it Advanced products are now available
specified for their help in infection control. is important to check for the presence that will isolate excess subfloor moisture
Achieving a long-lasting, professional of moisture in the subfloor. Unchecked where RH values are up to 98% with a
flooring finish in healthcare settings subfloor moisture, whether residual single coat application and will fully cure in
requires following best practice in subfloor construction moisture or rising damp, can as little as three hours.
preparation. In areas subject to high attack floorcoverings and adhesives. Contractors will also find even quicker,
levels of foot traffic and heavy wheeled Not only can this ruin the appearance of two-coat systems. The first coat cures in
loads, the use of suitably heavy-duty installations, or even cause complete floor 15-20 minutes, and a further 30 minutes
products is recommended. Nowadays, failure, it can present a health and safety curing time is required for the second
a number of floor preparation products, risk by creating a tripping hazard and coat, creating a barrier against residual
including waterproof surface membranes, space for mould and bacteria to grow. construction moisture where RH values
smoothing compounds and adhesives are A moisture measurement test should, are up to 95% in less than two hours. 

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