Epoxy Flooring & The Medical Industry

Today, hospitals are one of the world’s most unique environments. With the average size of a hospital being roughly 300,000 square feet, the designers of the space have to make sure that every inch of the facility is functional and requires a minimal amount of downtime. The most crucial part of any hospital, health center or medical facilities is choosing the flooring system as a flooring system that inhibits productivity, health or goes against laws or safety regulations that can result in massive fines or even legal action. With all things considered from safety demands, aesthetics, functionality and durability, one flooring system stands apart from the rest, epoxy flooring. With so many demands not being negotiable in the medical industry, epoxy is the only flooring system that gives up nothing to perform. Down below, you will see just how well-equipped epoxy flooring is to be considered the flooring system of the medical industry.

When it comes to the durability and strength of the other flooring systems, epoxy flooring stands at the top of the bunch. With the strong bond that is created between the concrete substrate and the epoxy, the result is a strong, structurally sound and seamless finish. This makes epoxy one of the only floor coatings that can withstand continuous use with exposure to heavy machinery and medical equipment without forming cracks. Epoxies are also known to resist the adverse effects of heavy foot traffic, significant weight loads; with a peak capacity of up to 14,000 PSI, spills, collisions, impacts and corrosive elements without chipping or cracking. Not only is epoxy flooring one of the strongest flooring systems on the market, but it is also one of the longest-lasting with an average lifespan of 25 years.

For a flooring system to be considered to be used in the medical industry, it must be able to be easily, rapidly and efficiently cleaned throughout the day to provide a healthy surface for patients and employees alike. Epoxy flooring provides a simplistic maintenance protocol as well as resistance to harsh chemicals and rigorous sanitizing and cleaning protocols. Not only is epoxy resistant to the adverse effects of chemical corrosion, but they also don’t require any extra buffing or waxing. This makes epoxy flooring an affordable coating as well with low maintenance costs and its best in industry lifespan of 25 years.

In medical facilities areas like operating theaters, emergency areas, laboratories, and even storage facilities are regularly exposed to harmful pathogens, viruses, and bacteria. In order to reduce the risk of these hazards dwelling, seamless surfaces, like epoxy flooring creates, is highly recommended for these areas. With its seamless finish, epoxy coatings are impenetrable from mold, mildew and harmful bacteria that can cause serious health concerns. This is why other flooring options like ones that use grout lines or cracks like in vinyl floorings are never permitted in medical institutions. What makes epoxy more sterile than other coatings is that its bond is formed directly to the concrete substrate, allowing no room for bacteria to hide away in the tiny space left by glue or mortar.

Evidence brought forth by the Healthcare Facilities Today shows that the role that the design of a healthcare facility plays in the patient’s healing process and their experience. Epoxies have dozens of ways that they can be configured like a full spectrum color range, metallic pigmentation and the use of logos in its finish. Depending on the contractor you use to install the epoxy, different designs can be implemented into the floor coating.