THE TILE IS RIGHT
Cameron Fraser, Commercial Director of Ceramique Internationale, discusses the importance of choosing the right tiling in an industrial setting.
Cameron Fraser (left)
Whilst industrial-style products have grown in prominence for the home design market, the recent growth of the UK manufacturing sector has seen industrial tiling undergo its own resurgence.
Unlike selecting tiles for the home though, tiling an industrial setting presents a large range of challenges and a plethora of risks. Specifying flooring for manufacturing environments and factories is often seen as the litmus test for tiles and ceramics due to the specific circumstances and stresses associated with those areas. With this in mind, it is vital that the right tiles are selected to match the needs of the plant they are used in.
UNDER PRESSURE The first factor one should take into consideration when selecting any flooring solution in a manufacturing environment is the weight and pressure that it needs to withstand, often dictated by what sort of machinery will be in operation. Ceramic tiles of 14 to 15mm thickness are particularly hardwearing and are able to cope with a variety of stresses, including heavy footfall, machine vibrations, vehicle traffic and impact from falling objects.
SLIP-RESISTANT Dependent on the type of manufacturing or industrial process
40 | INDUSTRIAL FLOORING
being undertaken, there may also be a requirement for anti-slip flooring and there are a number of tiles that offer this as standard. However, should there be a need for a particularly aggressive anti-slip surface, specialist coatings can also be easily applied. That said, slip- resistant tiles with textured surfaces will often be specified as standard in work areas and with them comes a special set of cleaning requirements. Rotating brushes or rollers are able to get into the surface’s texture and remove dirt easily. A commonly used alternative is the high-pressure washer but users must ensure that this will not damage the tile joints. If the floor is not excessively dirty, easily dissolved chemical agents are fine to use and, for smaller floors, there is nothing wrong with an old-fashioned mop and bucket.
CHEMICAL MATTER The presence of any chemicals or acids in the manufacturing process presents a different set of issues. Porcelain tiles offer superior resistance to acids (except hydrofluoric), alkalis and corrosive compounds, meaning that any spills will not damage or destroy the flooring. The tough composition also means that they can cope with heavy maintenance in areas that require industrial cleaning. In
pharmaceutical and food processing areas where there are particularly stringent hygiene regulations, the impermeability of porcelain tiles means that bacteria is unable to collect and grow.
AESTHETICALLY
PLEASING Whilst many may think that tiles and flooring for industrial settings are just utilitarian in design, aesthetics are also worth taking into consideration. Tiles are now available that offer an underlying body that matches the surface appearance so they are the same colour and finish throughout the tile, rather than just having a surface coating. This means that if the surface is worn or chipped (something that may occur on the shop floor), there is no noticeable change to the visual effect.
It is vital that all these factors are taken into consideration when looking at flooring in an industrial setting. Once a thorough assessment has been undertaken, a suitable tile can be chosen that properly meets the requirements. Working with a flooring expert can help ensure that the products are fit for purpose, potentially saving both money and lives.
www.tilesandmosaics.co.uk www.tomorrowscontractfloors.com
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