special report
rubber Flooring
Custodial staff can save time in specialized areas
in healthcare facilities that use a no-wax flooring
maintenance regimen.
performance and execution
of care. But the common denominator for each is the impact of flooring
maintenance requirements on the space
and those who occupy it. By selecting a proper
flooring and maintenance regimen, a planning team
can introduce multi-faceted and long-lasting benefits to the
indoor environment.
Scheduling maintenance in a healthcare facility is difficult,
especially in highly populated and chaotic areas such as maternity wards and
emergency departments. With floor coverings that require finishes, maintenance
must be scheduled in advance, while some areas must be shut down for a period of time
so the flooring can be cleaned properly. This is a timely, labor-intensive process that can slow
operations and adversely affect the indoor environment by introducing chemicals from floor
finishes, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be harmful for patients. By
choosing flooring that can be cleaned without waxes or finishes, hospitals can keep costs
down and indoor air quality (IAQ) up. The idea that a shiny hospital floor is a clean one is not
necessarily true. Although waxes and finishes aesthetically can make a floor look bright and
exciting, they also make cleaning and maintenance more costly and labor intensive. There are
floor coverings out there that can give a high-shine aesthetic without using wax.
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CommerCial ConstruCtion & renovation — january : february 2013