ALL ABOARD F. Ball helps to transform double-decker bus into a library for school children.
Products donated by F. Ball and Co. Ltd., including the company’s Stopgap 700 Superflex levelling compound, Styccobond F41 carpet tile tackifier and Stycco Flex rapid-curing flexible tube adhesive, have been used in the refurbishment of a 30-year-old Routemaster bus to create a library for children with special educational needs and disabilities at Tolworth Nursery, Infant and Junior School, Surrey.
Flooring contractors from local Eric Miller Flooring began by applying Stopgap 700 Superflex levelling compound over a firmly-secured plywood subfloor on the top deck of the bus to create a smooth base ready for the receipt of floorcoverings. Stopgap 700 is a fast-drying, fibre-reinforced, self-levelling compound designed for use over flexible subfloors, such as plywood and steel. Applied at a thickness of 3mm, it is ready to receive floorcoverings from a little as three hours.
On both decks, Styccobond F41 carpet tile tackifier was used to install blue premium Burmatex fibre-bonded carpet tiles. Styccobond F41 dries to create a permanently tacky film that prevents ‘loose-lay’ carpet tiles from moving, whilst allowing individual tiles to be lifted and replaced easily when worn or damaged. After extensive research and development, the adhesive has been reformulated to offer improved coverage capabilities, enhanced tack and a faster drying time.
New carpet tiles were also installed on the bus’s staircase, where old floorcoverings and adhesive residues had been
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removed prior to the beginning of the project. Styccobond F66 solvent-free contact adhesive was used for this as its instant bond-forming properties make it suitable for affixing floorcoverings onto vertical surfaces.
Finally, Stycco Flex, F. Ball’s rapid-curing flexible tube adhesive, was used to attach aluminium stair nosings on the staircase. The high strength build-up and fast curing time means it can secure stair nosings and trims, without the need for mechanical fixings, in as little as 60 minutes. The highly versatile adhesive is known for its ability to bond almost any materials found in the flooring and construction industries.
The reformulated version of Stycco Flex is also recommended for installing vertical PVC flooring accessories, including skirting, capping and coving, as a result of excellent plasticiser resistance. It also has improved application properties; the ability to apply to vertical surfaces has been improved to ensure no slipping or sliding of accessories, it is now easier to gun out and it has better ‘nip-off’ qualities.
Commenting on the project, Eric Miller said: “It was a bit of an unusual project. I’ve never installed flooring on a bus before. F. Ball kindly donated the products for this job, but we use them all the time. They’re reliable and always do what they say on the tin.”
www.f-ball.com
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