Providing a platform

Resin flooring has been a favoured option for over 50 years in the food, automotive, pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors. It has a long and proven track record in these types of aggressive industrial environments because of its excellent performance characteristics, and its ability to provide a seamless, hygienic, slip-resistant floor. With the ever increasing demands for durable and easy to maintain flooring within the handling and storage sector, resin flooring outperforms other flooring options.

Often for industrial and warehousing companies, the decision to install or replace a floor can have a major impact on the running of the business. This may involve essential repairs or maintenance to a key flooring area in a storage facility or warehouse. Without these being carried out, normal production or work activity cannot continue. Therefore choosing the right system and also making sure it is installed correctly and within programme is absolutely vital. Industrial flooring accounts for over 70% of all resin flooring applications each year, so it is no surprise that this represents an important market sector for FeRFA and its members.

Choosing the correct flooring system has always been the key factor in ensuring that all of a client’s requirements are met from the chosen system. It may sound obvious, but the selection process should always include an exchange of information between the client and the resin flooring manufacturer and/or the contractor. Any particular site issues or requirements such as loading, trafficking, slip resistance, cleaning and maintenance, should be discussed to ensure the client has an understanding of what is involved in laying a resin flooring system and which resin system would be the most suitable.

The FeRFA Classification is the simplest way to do this. It is the basis of BS 8204-6 Synthetic resin floorings – Code of practice and it identifies each type of resin flooring, allowing a complete cross reference between the products from each manufacturer, irrespective of brand name. The resin types are defined from Type 1 to Type 8, based on the applied thickness of the resin system.

The selection process should always account for the functional needs of the floor finish, the substrate on which it is to be installed, and the aesthetic requirements. All of this may sound complicated, but it is actually straightforward when there is easy access to information and guidance for choosing a flooring system.

As the association dedicated to seamless resin flooring, and the source of technical knowledge in this specialist area, FeRFA leads the way in providing advice and guidance. The FeRFA website (www.ferfa.org.uk) provides the most comprehensive source of information on all aspects of resin flooring and the companies involved. In the Guidance section of the website, a series of guidance notes provide up to date information and practical advice on the specification, performance, application and maintenance of Resin Floors.

FeRFA publications are free to download and provide an invaluable source of reference. Topics covered include recycling and sustainability, a key influence in choosing a flooring system. In terms of environmental performance, seamless resin flooring provides a sustainable option in that it meets the low carbon agenda for construction to reduce waste. Resin floors always fit perfectly as they are created in situ. Additionally they can be applied in intricate spaces that would be very difficult with pre-formed systems. Material wastage is minimal, as estimating allows the contractor to determine the exact amount of material which is mixed on site for each job.

The specialist resin flooring contractor will assist throughout the selection process. A list of FeRFA Specialist Contractors and Manufacturers is available on the FeRFA website.

The installation of resin floors is a specialist skill area and FeRFA fully endorses a qualified workforce through the achievement of NVQ Level 2 and above. A qualified workforce raises standards in the industry and gives the client the assurance and evidence of the contractor’s ability to undertake the work involved.   

For more information on FeRFA and resin flooring, please visit the FeRFA website at www.ferfa.org.uk