Flooring to Handle the Demands of Manufacturing Facilities
Facilities used for manufacturing typically need to be capable of supporting heavy machinery without breaking down or cracking. Frequent foot traffic is to be expected, as well as impacts from forklifts and other heavy vehicles. The flooring system needs to be strong enough to support the weight of these loads and resistant to other types of surface damage. Well-specified and installed commercial flooring and coatings for the manufacturing industry is customized with consideration for each operation’s unique environment and activities.
Depending on the type of product being manufactured in the facility, harsh chemicals and other dangerous substances could be in use. The right flooring system should both be able to withstand contact with highly corrosive materials and allow for safe and effective cleanup in the event of a spill. Resinous floor coatings are nonporous, so they do not absorb liquids the same way that an uncoated cement surface would. Fluid-applied installation allows for a nearly unbroken surface virtually free of seams or grout lines, so the natural vulnerabilities of tile and other systems can often be avoided.
Maintaining Worker Safety with Customizable Floors
One of the most important elements of helping to protect worker safety through flooring is slip resistance. Slippery floors can lead to falls that can cause serious injuries, and the floor itself is the first line of defense against these accidents. In some settings, static control can also be an important safety factor. Furthermore, OSHA and other regulatory bodies establish rules for how a space must be laid out, utilized, and labeled, in the effort to keep employees as safe as possible. As a result, it may be necessary to designate different areas using a different type of flooring, or to include colored boundaries, markings or directional text within the floor itself, drawing attention to potential hazards.
Fortunately, epoxy flooring and related systems are highly customizable, allowing for a wide range of both practical and aesthetic features. With a wide variety of color and design options, when installed by a professional contractor, a high-quality flooring system can be both function and attractive. Tennant Coatings is proud to offer a broad spectrum of innovative resinous flooring solutions to meet the demands of manufacturing and other industrial settings. Contact us today!
