Paul Rogers, Technical Services Manager at Amtico, gives his top three considerations for specifying safety flooring, and outlines how LVT is taking the sector to new heights

The latest figures published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), show that there were more than 71,000 non-fatal injuries reported by employers under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) and a further half a million estimated, according to self-reports through the Labour Force Survey. Despite these figures appearing high in isolation, they actually form part of a downward trend, which has seen an approximate 58 per cent reduction in injuries since 1986/87.

When analysing the breakdown of common types of accident in the last year, 31 per cent were attributed to slips, trips or falls, which makes this category far and away the most common cause of incidents. With these statistics in mind, it is unsurprising that the type of flooring used in commercial premises continues to play a crucial role in preventing accidents, reducing risks and improving overall safety.

So what are the main considerations when specifying the most suitable safety flooring for a commercial property?

Slip resistance
The most important factor is a flooring’s slip resistance rating. There are two significant tests to help identify a floor’s suitability: the pendulum test and ramp test. Although both have their merits, the pendulum test is the preferred method of the HSE, and is based on swinging an imitation shoe heel, which sweeps over an area of flooring in a controlled manner. The test provides flooring products with a value/rating that specifiers can use to evaluate performance. A figure of 36 or above is deemed to have a low slip potential.

In order to ensure a flooring is suitable for all conditions, as well as sustainable throughout the lifetime of the product, it is important for it to have a degree of surface roughness. This can include an emboss or, more commonly, a micro-roughness, which is applied during the manufacturing process. However, it is essential to check that any roughness is an integral element of the product, rather than a surface coating added afterwards. This ensures a flooring is more sustainable and will not wear away through use. It also provides a more predictable safety performance for commercial environments.

Hygiene
Most commercial floorings are subjected to regular cleaning schedules, especially in education applications, such as schools and universities, where cleanliness and safety are essential. However, in these environments, the control of bacteria is also becoming extremely important, which is why the latest safety flooring products include antimicrobial technology. This feature has been proven to resist the growth of potentially harmful bacteria between cleaning schedules.

This built-in hygienic protection against bacterial and fungal growth has clear benefits, not least improved wellbeing for a commercial building’s occupants. Indeed, while safety flooring is usually considered for its slip resistance, the additional ability to improve hygiene levels is a major benefit.

Aesthetics
It would be fair to say that safety flooring and interior design have not always been considered together, with many product specifications focused solely on the practical elements. Of course, this is acceptable in many applications where aesthetics are not important, but in bars and restaurants – where design is often integral to the success of the business – there has been a growing demand for more variety and a higher quality finish.

Some of the design limitations in recent years have been linked to the proliferation of sheet vinyl safety flooring, which is often one-dimensional and lacking natural details. To tackle this market, and provide specifiers with greater design scope, Amtico has developed the Spacia 36+ collection of LVT safety flooring. The new range is available in 16 realistic and natural woods or stones, which allows commercial premises to deliver high-quality flooring designs, while also complying with required performance ratings.

Another important benefit of Amtico’s Spacia 36+ range is its inherent durability, thanks to a 0.55mm wear layer. This makes it an ideal choice for areas that need to withstand high levels of traffic; indeed, it is supplied with a 10-year commercial warranty to reflect its suitability for such environments. In addition, installation is kept simple, in conjunction with easy cleaning and maintenance requirements.

When it comes to safety flooring, the choice has been limited and somewhat restrictive for some years. However, by taking a fresh approach to flooring specifications and opting for LVT, such as Spacia 36+, commercial projects can not only benefit from superb slip resistance and improved hygienic benefits, but also adopt improved aesthetics from a variety of colour balanced planks and tiles. These factors provide a powerful combination.

Contact Details
For more information please call Amtico on 0121 745 0800, email or visit the website.