POLYSAFE. THE COMPLETE SAFETY FLOORING SOLUTIONsweets.construction.com/swts_content_files/1468/445690.pdf · as raising the bar significantly in 2000 with the launch of Supratec –

POLYSAFE. THE COMPLETE SAFETY FLOORING SOLUTION

2SAFETY IN NUMBERS

Polysafe safety flooring has been manufactured by

Polyflor for over 20 years and today the collection

offers an array of products for all possible applications

with a level of performance and quality second to none.

Safety flooring is specified increasingly to provide

underfoot safety for employees, customers and public

alike. Polyflor is unswerving in its commitment to

maintain the level of slip resistance throughout the

life of the product, in addition to providing the choice

of colour, decoration, texture and ease of cleaning you

would expect from a Polyflor product.

• Guaranteed levels of slip resistance

• Independently proven to be easier to clean

• Unique and patented Supratec+ system

• Range of attractive colours and decorations

• Tailored products for all applications

• All ranges widely available

• Peace of mind in specifying a Polyflor safety floor

T H E C O M P L E T E S A F E T Y F L O O R I N G S O L U T I O N

POLYSAFE

Slip resistance assurance

Corona

Astral

Vogue Ultra

Strata

Polysafe Standard

Hydro

Ultima

Use Areas

SlipResistance

LowMaintenance

SpecificationsFinishing& Detailing

PerformanceProperties

I N D E X

4 - 5

6 - 13

14 - 15

16 - 19

20 -22

23 - 27

28 - 33

34 - 35

Choosing Polysafe gives that added reassurance from amanufacturer dedicated to offering products that are fit to servetheir purpose as slip resistant safety floors, backed up by asignificant commitment to new product development to suit theneeds of Polyflor customers. In 2007, this approach has beenrecognised with Polysafe being awarded the prestigious Queen’sAward for Enterprise, in the category for continuous productinnovation and development; a true reflection of Polysafe’s highstanding in the safety flooring market.

POLYFLOR – 1ST TO MARKETPolyflor is a true pioneer of safety flooring manufacture,being first to offer Agrèment guarantees on the nowuniversal 2mm gauge product, first to launch a moredecorative, multi-chip decoration in the 1990s as wellas raising the bar significantly in 2000 with the launchof Supratec – a patented leap in cleanability of safetyfloors.

Our Polysafe products have evolved and developed tomeet customer needs over the years, but we havenever lost sight of the rationale behind safety floors– that they offer sustainable slip resistance and that allother features such as aesthetics and cleanability arebuilt on top of safety, never compromising it.

This philosophy is enshrined in another Polysafedeclaration - that the slip resistance (36+) of aPolysafe product is assured for the guaranteed life ofthe flooring. This Polyflor guarantee is offered toassist client choice in a market being increasinglycrowded with ‘pseudo’ safety flooring.

HOW DOES POLYSAFE WORK?Quite simply, slip resistance is achieved by increasingthe friction between the foot and the floor.

This increase is obtained through the combination ofaggregates within the floor such as quartz, aluminiumoxide and silicon carbide, giving Polysafe safetyflooring its distinctive sparkle effect. These aggregatesare not simply sprinkled onto the top as a coating thatwill wear off over a short time in use, but areincorporated throughout the full thickness of the floorto ensure slip performance can be assured for theguaranteed life of the product. The aggregatescombine with the surface emboss to provide a rougher,harder friction surface to ‘bite’ into the under surfaceof footwear when walked upon and create thenecessary friction and underfoot safety.

The slip resistant properties are also present wheresafety flooring is required for continually wet areas.Here, more prominent embosses are used inconjunction with the aggregates to impart thenecessary slip resistance for barefoot users as well asto increase the floor’s ability to provide a safe surfacefor the user when the floor is covered with water.As can be seen from the following diagrams, Polysafeproducts offer a true indication of a safe floor withaggregates throughout the product thickness toensure sustainability and durability in performance.If Polysafe flooring is used in the correct areas andmaintained correctly, the slip resistance will tend toimprove with age as the more abrasive aggregates will

Polysafe – slip resistanceassured for the guaranteed life

4

still be carrying out the job of imparting the necessaryslip resistance in years to come. Conversely, hybridproducts currently being sold as ‘safety floors’ in someinstances have very thin coatings of aggregate applied.These offer short term slip resistance and no crediblesubstitute to a vinyl containing aggregates all the waythrough the performance layer in terms ofsustainable performance.

WHY SAFETY FLOORING?Safety flooring is typically used in public areas wherethere is a risk of spillage or wetness that could makethe floor slippery and unsafe, such as in bathrooms,kitchens, bar serveries, toilets and changing rooms.With the ongoing development of cleaning technologysuch as Supratec+ allowing the introduction of moreattractive colours through easier maintenance, safetyflooring is now becoming more decorative and suitedto more high visibility areas.

Polyflor always adheres closely to Health and SafetyExecutive Guidelines (HSE) in the UK, both in terms ofoffering products that match the needs of applicationareas and also by testing and measuring slip resistanceagainst their preferred test methods (see pages 24 - 27).

REASSURANCE?Previous experience in use is a strong selectioncriterion and one of the HSE’s own recommendations.On this basis, with quite literally millions of squaremetres of flooring installed, Polysafe is truly a safechoice.

PERFORMANCE LAYER, AGGREGATE THROUGHOUT THICKNESS

BACKING LAYER

PERFORMANCE LAYER

WEAR LAYER

BACKING LAYER

PERFORMANCE LAYER

BACKING LAYER

WEAR LAYER

FORM V FUNCTION

Polysafe’s prime function, slip resistance isbeyond doubt. All other motivators can also beaccommodated:

Colour – a strong range of colour and decorationsto suit varying tastes

Cleaning – both Polysafe Standard and Supratec+

products have been independently proven to leadtheir class in terms of cleanability andappearance retention

Budget – Polysafe ranges cover a variety of pricepoints and all are readily available fromDistributors nationwide and around the World

B E T T E R P O L Y S A F E T H A N S O R R Y !

1. Polysafe safety flooring.

3. Product B - A heterogeneous floorcovering with thinsurface coating of aggregate. This gives a temporary slipresistant finish, losing these properties after a shortperiod.

2. Product A - A heterogeneous flooring with aggregatescontained in the top layer, but not throughout the fullproduct thickness. A separate wear layer withoutaggregate means this heterogeneous flooring will lose itsslip resistant properties after time.

5

of the product

Drystone 5470

Barley 5500

Mango 5480

Tulip 5520

Geyser 5580

Otter 5530

Blackbird 5560

Pacific 5550

Bluebell 5510

Seawater 5490

Seal 5570 Grasshopper 5540

KEY FEATURES

• Contains new improved Supratec+,an exclusive polymer system that providessignificant and sustainable maintenancebenefits.

• Colours co-ordinate with other Polyflorsmooth ranges - Polyflor Prestige PURand XL PU.

• Incorporates quartz, aluminium oxide andsilicon carbide particles, to improve tractionand safety underfoot.

• Slip resistance is assured for the guaranteedlife of the product - ≥36 result achieved onRRL Pendulum wet test – 4S Rubber(Slider 96).

• Suitable for areas subject to water and othercontaminant spillages in hygiene criticallocations, with a surface roughness ofRz ≥20µm.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS

Washrooms, Toilet areas, Bar Serving areas,Laundry and Sluice rooms, Laboratories,Changing rooms.

SPECIFICATIONSUSE AREA CLASS

GAUGE: 2.0mm

AVAILABILITY: Sheet

LOCATION: Bury Football Club, Bury

Regularly used seven days a week for trainingpurposes, match days and for other sportingfunctions, Corona is excelling when up againstthe extreme demands of the client – that ofproviding underfoot safety and durability whenfaced with regular movements and warm upexercises from users as well as the use of variousforms of footwear.

“Considering the amount of dirt that iswalked into the changing room after a gameand the regular punishment the floor cantake seven days a week, we are highlysatisfied with the safety flooring in use.Not only does the floor feel safe to walk onbut it doesn’t take up a lot of dirt and there’sno sign of wear. It’s certainly made my jobeasier as I find it extremely easy to clean andit’s kept its colour and texture very well sinceinstallation”

Wilf LintonMaintenance and Health & Safety Manager,Bury Football Club

Polysafe CoronaHEAVY-DUTY SAFETY FLOORING WITH A MULTI-CHIP DECORATION,FEATURING THE BENEFITS OF SUPRATEC+

6

DHK

Orion Beige 4280*

Red Sky 4310

Lunar Grey 4240* Vega Green 4270Starburst 4300*

Space Mauve 4230

Aquarius 4220

Polaris 4250 Isis 4380*Solstice 4260Sculptor 4400*

Sunspot 4410*North Star 4370* Nebula Blue 4200*

Please note: due to limitations of colour printing, actual samples should be seen before colour selection is made.

KEY FEATURES

• Contains new improved Supratec+,an exclusive polymer system that providessignificant and sustainable maintenancebenefits.

• A popular multi-coloured flake decorationallows vibrant colours to be specified withoutdetriment to sustainable slip resistance andmaintenance.





Washrooms, Toilet areas, Bar Serving areas,Laundry and Sluice rooms, Laboratories,Changing rooms.


GAUGE: 2.0mm

AVAILABILITY: Sheet

LOCATION: Odd Bar, Manchester

Polysafe Astral allows a design statement to becarried through to back of house areas withoutcompromising the main requirements of asafety floor – to be slip resistant and offer lowmaintenance characteristics. Here, the vibrancyof Astral combines elegantly with the overalldesign scheme of the nightspot to reinforce itsexclusive ethos, whilst maintaining theimportance of underfoot safety to its clientele.

“We wanted the toilet area floors to reflectthe contemporary, up market design of thebar but also – for obvious reasons! – to beeasy to clean. The funky colours and excellentcleanability of Polysafe Astral safety flooringmet these requirements perfectly”.

Cleo FarmanOwner/Director, Odd Bar

* Available with a plain decoration in the Polysafe Design range.

Polysafe AstralHEAVY-DUTY SAFETY FLOORING FEATURING THE SUPRATEC+ POLYMER SYSTEM,

WITH MULTI-FLAKE DECORATION

7

DHK

Dune 4690

Firestar 4790

Steel Blue 4740

Nightsky 4760

Lilac Meadow 4810

Marine 4870

Winter Dusk 4730

Forest Pine 4500

Moonbeam 4780

Woodland Grey 4770

Oystershell 4800 Bisque 4860

KEY FEATURES

• Easier handling and installation throughhighly flexible formulation and backing.

• Incorporates quartz crystals, aluminiumoxide and silicon carbide particles, toimprove traction and safety underfoot.




Washrooms, Toilet areas, Storage and Utilityareas, Bar Serving areas, Laundry and Sluicerooms, Laboratories, Changing rooms.


GAUGE: 2.0mm

AVAILABILITY: Sheet

The appealing multi-chip decoration of VogueUltra, available in twelve colourways, ismatched by a slip resistant surface that offersno compromise to underfoot safety. The rangeadheres fully to HSE Guidelines in terms of anin-situ Pendulum wet test result of 36+ and asurface roughness of ≥20µm.

Polysafe Vogue UltraHEAVY-DUTY, DECORATIVE SAFETY FLOORING WITH MULTI-CHIP DESIGN

8

DHK

Polysafe StrataHEAVY-DUTY SAFETY FLOORING WITH A MULTI-COLOURED FLAKE DECORATION

KEY FEATURES



• A popular multi-coloured flake decorationallows vibrant colours to be specified withoutdetriment to sustainable slip resistance andmaintenance.



Washrooms, Toilet areas, Food preparation areas,Kitchens, Bar Serving areas, Laundry and Sluicerooms, Changing rooms, Cloakrooms.


GAUGE: 2.0mm

AVAILABILITY: Sheet

A popular multi-coloured flake decorationavailable in nine colours, enabling the designaesthetic to be carried over to more visible backof house areas and allowing the colourco-ordination of chips within an overall designscheme. Fully conversant with HSE Guidelines,the range achieves a RRL Pendulum wet testresult of 36+ and a surface roughness of ≥20µm.Like all Polysafe ranges, the slip resistance isassured for the guaranteed life of the product.

Arkose 4190

Elvan Fawn 4180

Marlstone 4630

Calcite Blue 4460

Deep Sapphire 4050

Bedrock 4170

Black Opal 4080

Greenstone 4440 Feldspar 4620

DHK

9


Elmwood 4520

Twilight 4490 Black Walnut 4150Antique Copper 4120

Arctic Blue 4130 Nordic Grey 4090Alpine Green 4110

Redwood 4040*

Maple Fawn 4030*

Silver Birch 4020* Lilac Blue 4580Cedar Blue 4060*Autumn Beige 4140

Storm Blue 4560Ash Grey 4540 Cool Aqua 4570

KEY FEATURES


• Proven to be an easier to clean standardsafety flooring.

• Best selling range offering extremely goodvalue.




Washrooms, Toilet areas, Food preparation areas,Kitchens, Bar Serving areas, Laundry and Sluicerooms, Changing rooms, Cloakrooms.


GAUGE: 2.0mm, 2.5mm, 3.5mm*

AVAILABILITY: Sheet

LOCATION: Chelsea Football Club, London

The multitude of colourways available in thePolysafe Standard palette enabled strikingreproductions to be made of Chelsea’sevolution of club emblems at the CentenaryHall exhibition. The walkway creates anaesthetic focal point to the exhibition’s manyvisitors whilst offering the key requisites ofunderfoot safety and slip resistance.

“We are very pleased with the flooring CWCrecommended and installed. Not only is itsafer underfoot for the many people visitingthe Centenary Hall but also the colour choiceavailable was ideal for reproducing the insetclub logos. The overall effect is excellent”

Simon ArthurGroup Operations Director,Chelsea Football Club

* 4 colours are available in 3.5mm gauge for extra heavy-duty areas.

Polysafe StandardHEAVY-DUTY SAFETY FLOORING WITH A TRADITIONAL DECORATION

DHK

10

White Stone H4930* Bisque H4860**

Sheared Slate H4960* Oystershell H4800**

Tempered Steel H4940* Woodland Grey H4770**

Blue Forge H4850* Marine H4870**

KEY FEATURES

• Designed for use with barefoot or soft soledfootwear in continually wet areas.

• Features a raised pimple emboss and a choiceof multi-chip or traditional decorations.

• Slip resistance is assured for the guaranteedlife of the product - ≥36 result achieved onRRL Pendulum wet test – 4S Rubber (Slider96) & TRL Rubber (Slider 55), with a surfaceroughness of Rz ≥20µm.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONSSwimming pool surrounds, walk-in showers,hydrotherapy areas, barefoot recreationalareas such as changing room facilities,barefoot walkways.

SPECIFICATIONS

GAUGE: 2.0mm

AVAILABILITY: Sheet

LOCATION: Wrightington Hospital, Wigan

The amalgamation of a raised profile embossand aggregates incorporated throughout thefull thickness of the vinyl to impart thenecessary slip resistance makes PolysafeHydro the specified floorcovering in showerareas at Wrightington Hospital. Allied withappropriate maintenance regimes, the productmeets the rudimentary requirement thatpatients and Hospital workers are safe whenwalking in continually wet areas with bare feetor soft soled footwear.

“Patient safety was our paramount concernin choosing floorcoverings for bathrooms andshowers. Polysafe Hydro in showers andPolysafe Vogue Ultra in general areas hasproved the ideal combination”

Brian PorterEstates Officer, Wrightington Hospital

Polysafe HydroHEAVY-DUTY SAFETY FLOORING WITH A RAISED EMBOSS,

FOR USE IN BAREFOOT AND CONTINUALLY WET AREAS

* Available with a flat emboss in the Polysafe Designrange to allow colour co-ordination across use areas.

** Available with a flat emboss in the Polysafe Vogue Ultra range to allow colour co-ordination across use areas.

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KEY FEATURES

• Enhanced levels of traction and safetyunderfoot due to high aggregateconcentration and a specially engineeredemboss.

• Surface roughness Rz ≥70µm to deal with highviscosity contaminants.

• Ideal for high footfall areas that requireincreased levels of slip resistance such as foodpreparation areas or busy commercialkitchens.


• An R11 rated product.


Commercial kitchens and food preparationareas.


GAUGE: 2.5mm

AVAILABILITY: Sheet

LOCATION: Rhodes Twenty Four, London

With the intense traffic generated in thecooking quarters of one of Gary Rhodes’ toprestaurants, the specified flooring has to giveits users continued confidence in terms ofenhanced slip resistant properties, whilsthaving an intrinsic surface roughness able todeal with the contaminant spillages occurringregularly in this challenging environment.Polysafe Ultima, with its blend of highconcentration of aggregates within the productto generate its high surface roughness and itssustainable slip resistance properties in strictconformance to HSE Guidelines, fitted the billperfectly.

“The quality of the Polysafe Ultima floor isoutstanding. It is exceptionally hardwearingand durable. The slip resistant surface makes itan ideal choice for our very busy kitchen.The Polysafe Ultima floor is easy to clean andhas a crisp, modern appearance”

Adam GrayHead Chef, Rhodes Twenty Four Restaurant

Polysafe UltimaSAFETY FLOORING WITH A MULTI-CHIP DECORATION. DESIGNED FOR HEAVY USE AREASWHICH REQUIRE ENHANCED SLIP RESISTANCE AND HIGH SURFACE ROUGHNESS

Iron Ore 4340 Mortar 4360

Bluestone 4390 Pearl Granite 4330

Aurora Grey 4290 Baltic Green 4350

DHK

12

All Polysafe ranges are suitable for areas where thereare risks of water spillages and other contaminants,achieving a surface roughness of Rz ≥20µm and ≥36 inthe RRL Pendulum wet test (4S Rubber/Slider 96).Polysafe Ultima is specifically designed to deal withhigh viscosity contaminants such as grease and oil,achieving a typical surface roughness result ofRz ≥70µm and ≥40 in the Pendulum wet test(4S Rubber/Slider 96). Polysafe Corona and PolysafeAstral are particularly suitable in areas which are morevisible to the public, where the low maintenanceattributes of Supratec+ combine with attractivecolours and decorative options. Polysafe Corona isalso particularly suitable where colour co-ordination inclose proximity to Polyflor smooth vinyl is requiredacross use areas. Polysafe ranges are also BBACertified as G5ws, indicating the products are fit fortheir intended use for at least 10 years (2mm gauge)provided they are installed to Polyflor instructions,and are suitable for heavily trafficked public areas orcommercial buildings where the floorcovering can bewelded to tolerate standing water.

The recommendations opposite give an indicative guideonly as to product suitability based on Polyflor’sknowledge and experience. Other Polysafe ranges willalso be suitable for the areas indicated.

For further information on product suitability or adviceon specific use areas not listed, please contact ourCustomer Technical Support Team on +44 (0)161 767 1111.

RISK ASSESSMENT

Before a floorcovering is specified, an initial riskassessment of the floor area is recommended, toensure that all the potential risks for slip are takeninto account, to determine the type of flooringrequired.

The following questions need to be considered:

Likely contaminants in the area• will the flooring receive regular oil, grease or other

forms of contamination to necessitate the need fora more specialist safety floor?

Maintenance• how is the floor going to be cleaned and how often?

Footwear• is this controlled or is the area open to the public?

Nature of traffic and behaviour of users• what will be the likely level of footfall and user

movement on the floor? Will users be continuallypushing and pulling trolleys, will children berunning etc?

Life Expectancy• does the level of footfall and punishment the

floor will take over the years require a 2.5mm gaugeproduct?

Aesthetics• is it important for the floor to be very visible to the

public with a requirement to be decorative?

Use Areas

T O P T I P S

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Application/Location

COMMERCIAL

Corridors*

Food preparation areas

Kitchenu

Laboratory

Restaurant/Dining Hall

Stairs

Utility/Storage areas EDUCATION Bathroom – showers

Bathroom – toilets

Changing room

Classrooms – CDT and Craft rooms

Classrooms – Food Technology

Classrooms – Laboratories

Classrooms – Machine Shops

Cloakroom

Commercial Kitchensu

Corridors*

Dining Hall – Serving areas

Reception*

Restaurant/Dining Halls/Canteen

Stairway

Utility/Storage areas

HEALTHCARE Bathroom/Cleansing Room – showers


Changing Rooms


Dining Halls – Serving areas

Hospital Wards*

Hydrotherapy areas

Kitchens – ward

Laboratories

Laundry/Utility Room

Patient Recovery Rooms

Patient Treatment Rooms

Restaurant/Dining Halls/Canteen

Sluice Room

Stairway


ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURING


Canteen

Application/Location LEISURE

Bathroom – showers


Cafeteria, Bar Serving areas

Changing Rooms


Hydrotherapy areas

Stairway

Storage areas

Swimming pool areas PHARMACEUTICAL

Bathroom - toilets

Canteen

Laboratory

Utility/Storage areas RETAIL

Changing Rooms


SOCIAL HOUSING

Bathroom

Kitchens

Showers

Stairway

GENERAL

Autopsy Rooms

Bakeries without rack ovens

Bar Serveries

Butter and Cheese Packing

Chemical Processing

Circulation areas*

Fast Food Kitchens

Fish Processing areas

Light Engineering & Industrial use

Meat Cutting/Preparation rooms

Mortuaries

Ramps

Transport Applications

Trolley areas

Veterinary Rooms

Wash Bays

Wet Chemical areas

15

* Safety flooring is not typically used in these areas, a smooth vinyl floor is usually recommended. However if a risk assessment is undertaken and a safety floor specified, then the products selected would be Polyflor’s recommendations.

u Product recommendation is dependent on the likely viscosity of contaminants in the use area - contact our Customer Technical Support team for further guidance.

The proven maintenance benefits our safety flooringprovides is just another reason why Polyflor’s position asthe leaders in easy to clean safety flooring is unrivalled.

2001 Polyflor became the first manufacturer to fullypatent and deliver low maintenance safety flooringwith the launch of Polysafe Astral & Design withSupratec, a unique polymer system applied to theproduct. This new advancement set new standards inthe cleanability of safety flooring and truly signpostedthe future direction of the safety flooring market.

2005 With the demand for safety flooring evergrowing and maintenance being a key requisite forspecification, Polyflor’s dedicated policy of continuedproduct research and development allowed us tointroduce Polysafe Corona – a new breed of safetyflooring specially formulated with 2nd generationSupratec+, a soil releasing polymer system enhancedwith polyurethane.

The exclusively developed cleaning technology ofSupratec+ is again available on the Polysafe Astralrange, giving significant and sustainable maintenancebenefits over traditional untreated products.Noticeable improvements have been seen over firstgeneration Supratec in terms of dirt pick-up, dirtretention and ease of maintenance. The application ofSupratec+ also allows maintenance costs andenvironmental impact to be kept to a minimum,reducing the need for energy intensive cleaning,chemical usage and water consumption. This easiermaintenance regime also leads to around 60% lifecycle cost savings over a span of 15 years whencompared to traditional untreated safety floors.See table opposite:

The Home of Low MaintenanceSupratec+ - the journey

Traditional Safety Flooring 1st Generation Supratec

2001

2005

16

ACTIVITY

SWEEP

SPRAY

MICRO MOP

DAMP MOP

MACHINE SCRUB

WET VACUUM

TIME [MINS]

17.24

14.05

54.05

20.48

TIME [MINS]

12.93

4.00

6.00

£2.07

£1.69

£6.49

£2.46

LABOUR &MATERIALS

£1.42

£0.44

£0.66

LABOUR &MATERIALS

COSTPER ANNUM

FREQUENCY

EVERY DAY

EVERY DAY

TWICE A WEEK

TWICE A WEEK

FREQUENCY

EVERY DAY

EVERY DAY

EVERY DAY

£755.55

£616.85

£674.96

£255.84

£2,303.20

£34,548

COSTPER ANNUM

£518.30

£160.60

£240.09

£918.99

£13,785

ACTIVITY

SWEEP

SPRAY

MICRO MOP

DAMP MOP

MACHINE SCRUB

WET VACUUM

TOTAL COST PER ANNUM

TOTAL COST OVER 15 YEARS

TOTAL COST PER ANNUM [SAVING 60%]

TOTAL COST OVER 15 YEARS [SAVING 60%]

T R A D I T I O N A L S A F E T Y F L O O R I N G P O LYS A F E W I T H S U P R AT E C+

SOURCE: Miscellaneous Productivity Rating for Hard Floors, The British Institute of Cleaning Science.

SUPRATEC+MAINTENANCE COST COMPARISON [100m2 over 15 years]

Further independent cleaning trials have also foundthe incorporation of Supratec+ to offer furthermaintenance benefits when compared againstcompeting safety floors.

Research carried out by Cleaning Research Internationalfound that Polysafe products with Supratec+

outperform competitors in terms of cleanabilityand colourretention,important issues for specifiers and end users as well asthose undertaking facilities management and routinemaintenance procedures.

Polysafe Standard and Supratec+ products – PolysafeCorona and Polysafe Design were installed alongsidecompeting safety floors with similar slip resistance

performance characteristics into a doorway area of abusy school corridor. This area is typically subjected toregular footfall at various periods throughout the daywhere users move regularly between rooms and whereno barrier matting means the floor is exposed towalked-in dirt.

The results: The testing involved monitoring the

in-use performance of each flooring sample over a

number of months and cleaning the floor through

damp mopping with a neutral detergent at set

periods. Values were taken in relation to cleanability,

change in appearance as well as slip resistance

readings when compared to a control sample.

APPEARANCE RETENTIONResults show that both Supratec+ products and alsoPolysafe Standard have the lowest percentage ofcolour change after a series of maintenance procedures

17

using damp mopping, meaning a better response tocleaning than competitor products is achieved.This means that Supratec+ and Polysafe Standard havea lower propensity for dirt retention and discolouring,hence a superior appearance and colour retention.

Competitor products responded least well to thecleaning regime with a significant change in visualappearance noted when compared to Polysafeproducts, with one competitor product in particularsuffering the effects of a high amount of scuffing.

A P P E A R A N C E R E T E N T I O N R E S U LTS

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POLYSAFE STANDARDBEFORE CLEANING AFTER CLEANING CONTROL

COMPETITOR BBEFORE CLEANING AFTER CLEANING CONTROL

COMPETITOR ABEFORE CLEANING AFTER CLEANING CONTROL

SUPRATEC+ 1BEFORE CLEANING AFTER CLEANING CONTROL

SUPRATEC+ 2BEFORE CLEANING AFTER CLEANING CONTROL

COMPETITOR CBEFORE CLEANING AFTER CLEANING CONTROL

SLIP RESISTANCEMean slip resistance values using the RRL PendulumTest (fitted with Four-S rubber and tested in accordancewith BS 7976:2002) were taken at regular periodsthroughout the cleaning trial as well as at the start andfinish of the test. By conclusion of the trial, all Polysafeproducts maintained slip resistance readings ofgreater than 36 in the wet, thereby adhering to Healthand Safety Executive Guidance.

It is clear then, that in today’s safety flooring market,Supratec+ is a significant offering where the lowmaintenance properties allows colour choice tobecome an important specification criterion for asafety floor, without detriment to the key requisite ofsustainable slip resistance. The availability ofSupratec+ in the Polysafe Corona range allows freshand vibrant colourways to be selected, allied to colourco-ordination with Polyflor smooth vinyls across useareas. This is a complete world away from thearchetypal safety floors of years gone by, where colourchoice was more limited. This co-ordination facilitatesthe implementation of colour coded design schemesand wayfinding zones in specific areas of a building.

For detailed maintenance instructions for all Polysaferanges, please refer to individual Floorcare sheets,either from www.polyflor.com or contact Polyflordirectly.

RREEMMEEMMBBEERR AA CCLLEEAANN FFLLOOOORRIISS AA SSAAFFEERR FFLLOOOORR

That’s why safety flooring is being used in the firstplace – specify a floor with the right maintenanceregime for you and stick to it.

The use of polish is not a short cut to keeping safetyflooring clean. Polish should not be applied to anyPolysafe product as it impairs the slip resistance ofthe floor.

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The foundation on which Polyflor’s values are built isdriven by our customer focus and our ability to workclosely with all contractors, specifiers and end users tounderstand their requirements and provide the idealflooring solution for any installation.

Not only is Polysafe a superb performer when it comesto slip resistance and cleanability, it also has manyother performance attributes that make it the perfectsafety floor for all concerned in the specification chain.This ranges from a wide scope of colour and decorationoptions to meet the visual stimulus of a designer,product flexibility and ease of welding to suitinstallation by contractors to the importance of lowmaintenance to the end user and specifier. Of coursethe requirement for a safety floor to offer slip resistantperformance over a number of years is of utmostimportance to all parties who need to be reassuredthat the floor does the job it has been designed for inareas with risks of water and contaminant spillages.All our product ranges are regularly subjected to therigours of internal testing on our production line and inour laboratories to ensure they are fit to serve theirpurpose as sustainable safety floors and this is fullybacked up by external testing carried out byindependent bodies to relevant industry standards.

DURABILITYPolysafe products retain their performancecharacteristics and decoration, demonstratingoutstanding durability and abrasion resistance,thereby adhering to the guidelines detailed in EN 13845(the European Norm for Safety Flooring) that safetyfloors should suffer no ill effects when tested forabrasion over 50,000 cycles (EN 660-2). A stringenttesting procedure is applied which involves constantcycles of abrasion under pressure with the continuousapplication of grit.

Below, in-house laboratory tests show Polysafe Corona,shade 5500 Barley being tested for abrasion.

The images show the Polysafe Corona shade beforeand after abrasion testing (over 5,000 cycles).The decoration and aggregates remain as new,demonstrating the durability of the product. There is noapparent wear to the surface of the product. The visiblemark is due to a reduction in gloss level.

WELDINGPolysafe products can be easily heat welded usingcolour co-ordinated Polyflor welding rods. They canalso be joined to adjacent Polyflor smooth vinyl floorcoverings or Ejecta set-in skirting. The image oppositeshows Polysafe Corona, welded with a standard Polyflorwelding rod being tested on a Tensometer machine forstrength of weld in our laboratories. We are confidentthat our Polysafe ranges are as forgiving to weld asstandard Polyflor smooth floorcoverings, providing thesuperb non-porous finish and weld strength to preventdirt ingress and achieve strict control in hygiene critical

Performance Properties

After

Before

20

21

locations. For flooring used in continually wet areas,it is imperative that the strength of the weld isimpervious to water and conforms to the EN 13553standard for water tightness so that the product canachieve CE marking. Thus, Polysafe Hydro has externalcertification that the product meets this standard.Polysafe Hydro and all other Polysafe ranges also fullyconform with the requirements of EN 13845 - theEuropean standard relating to particle based slipresistant vinyl floorcoverings, whereby the strength ofweld is a requirement of conformity.

FLEXIBILITYThe formulation of Polysafe products has been designedto allow greater flexibility to enable trouble-freesite-formed coving and installation around fixtures andfittings. The increased flexibility offered with today’sPolysafe flooring means it is now easier to install inparticularly tight spaces or difficult to lay areas suchas drainage points.

Below, Polysafe Corona is shown, site-formed covedand welded to Polyclad Plus wall cladding.

This picture shows Polysafe Corona with Supratec+;shade 5490 Seawater, tested around a 4mm mandrel.No whitening or cracking is observed. This test by farexceeds the requirements set in EN 13845 – theEuropean Norm for Safety Flooring.

STAIN RESISTANCEGiven the hard-working nature in some of the areaswhere Polysafe is used, resistance to chemicals andstaining can be an important consideration, be itpaints, oils or more industrial chemicals. Completechemical resistance charts for all Polysafe ranges arefreely available from Polyflor showing the resistanceto a range of specific chemicals by shade on eachrange and will prove helpful in selecting colours thatare least affected by specific chemicals.

Polysafe vinyl floorcoverings are found to show anexcellent resistance to mild and dilute acids, alkalis,soaps and detergents. Polysafe Corona with Supratec+

is shown here during and after being stained with anumber of household agents. Once the agents wereremoved after 24 hours only with water, in this case thebenefit of the Supratec+ treatment is clearly visible.

For the more serious potential spillages on safetyflooring such as petrol and strong acids, these are notharmful, provided any spillage is cleaned off immediately.The table above gives a very general guide, but bestpractice in this area is to ask the Polyflor CustomerTechnical Support Team for advice on your specificproject and the likely contaminants in the area.

LIGHT REFLECTANCE VALUESAll shades in the Polysafe portfolio haveappropriate light reflectance values, available directlyfrom Polyflor. In line with Part M of the BuildingRegulations for new buildings and allied to theDisability Discrimination Act 1995, there should be avisual contrast between the floor and wall, in terms ofa measurable difference in light reflectance valuesrecorded for floor and wall surfaces. Contact theCustomer Technical Support Team for moreinformation.

ANTIMICROBIAL PERFORMANCEAll Polysafe ranges contain antimicrobialagents for improved hygiene protection.This is especially important given that safety

flooring is often installed in wet areas that are bothwarm and trafficked by bare feet. The presence ofthese agents gives improved hygiene performance.

Indeed, in the healthcare environment, where the issueof hygiene continues to make headlines in an age ofMRSA and Hospital acquired infections, all Polysafeproducts have been independently tested and resultsdemonstrate that all ranges inhibit the growth ofMRSA. A key issue following on from this is that aneffective cleaning regime is the most importantdefence against infection and the floor inhibitinginfection alone should not take the place of regularmaintenance.

It is always prudent to obtain maintenance instructionsfor the specified floorcovering from your chosenflooring manufacturer. Complete cleaning andmaintenance instructions can be found for eachPolysafe range on specific floorcare sheets, availableto download online or from Polyflor directly.

LOW VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOCS)In order to contribute to a healthierenvironment with the reduction of emissionsinto the atmosphere, Polysafe ranges have

independent certification classifying them as Low VOCproducts. Tested to the AgBB test (Chamber test), thevarious VOC emissions are weighted according to thelevel of toxicity. The total VOCs emitted from Polysafeflooring falls well within set VOC limits, receivingresults well below the limit permitted.

TYPE OF CHEMICAL EFFECT ACTION

Aqueous Solutions

Mild acids and alkalis No effect

Strong alkalis May cause discolouration Dilute and remove in some shades

Strong acids Prolonged contact can Dilute and remove cause discolouration immediately

Dyes (indicators) Contact can cause Dilute and remove discolouration immediately

Organic Liquids

Aldehydes Flooring attack occurs Wipe up Esters after several minutes immediatelyHalogenatedhydrocarbonsKetones

Alcohols After several days, Wipe upEthers plasticiser extraction immediately Glycols occurs, with associatedHydrocarbons problems of shrinkage (aromatic and aliphatic) and embrittlementPetroleum spiritVegetable oil

22

24

Slip Resistance

Slip resistance can be a confusing area for specifierand client alike. On one hand there is a requirement tospecify flooring that is safe and fit for use, against abackground of increasing awareness and litigation inthe case of slips and trips. On the other hand, there is aplethora of test methods to assess the slipperiness offloors, various manufacturer claims and competingproduct to complicate choice. Add in colour choice,decoration and maintenance and the confusion canmultiply.

Polyflor would always give the same two key points ofadvice before slip resistant flooring is specified.

1. Use a reputable manufacturer that can demonstrateprevious experience in areas you are working on.

2. Ask for advice – the team at Polyflor have moreexperience in this area than any one individual couldacquire. The Customer Technical Support Team is onhand to dispense free advice – please use them.

REMEMBER – over specifying on slip resistance doesnot necessarily give the safest floor.

When carrying out initial risk assessments to determinethe factors that could cause slip risks and implementingpre-emptive measures to minimise these risks, thespecification of appropriate flooring should not beseen as the sole, one dimensional solution. The Healthand Safety Executive (HSE) points to other factorshaving an impact on the risk of slipping - these include:the type of footwear used, drainage and expected floorcontaminants, likely cleaning regimes as well as thedifferent types of use the floor is subjected to bypedestrians, including individual gaits and humanbehaviour when walking.

More information on HSE’s ongoing campaign to reducethe number of slips and trips as well as the targets setfor 2010 in the HSE’s revitalising Health and Safetystrategy can be viewed on www.hse.gov.uk/slips.

SLIP RESISTANCE TEST METHODSPolyflor tests Polysafe products against a variety ofinternational test methods for slip resistance and theresults are published for all to see.

The test methods explained here are the most relevantand commonly used to make precision assessment offloor slipperiness.

RRL PENDULUM TESTThis test method is recommended and preferred by theHSE to assess the dynamic coefficient of friction of afloorcovering, achieved by swinging a dummy heel overthe floor surface (see opposite page, top left) tosimulate a foot slipping on a wet floor. A standardisedrubber soiling sample is used to represent a standardshoe sole of average slip resistance. Widely used, thegreatest strength of this test is that it can easily be usedin-situ, so the slip resistance of the floor can beassessed over its whole life.

Results are quoted using a Four S (Slider 96) rubberslider. Whilst floor surfaces can be tested in the wet ordry, the results indicated on Polysafe always quote thewet result as this is the condition in which slipping islikely to occur. Be wary of very high dry results quotedin isolation.

HSE Guidelines call for a floor to give a pendulum testvalue of 36 and above in the wet to be classified as alow slip risk.

SLIPS AND TRIPSAccording to HSE research:

• Slips and trips are the single most common cause ofmajor injuries in the United Kingdomworkplace, accounting for 1 in 3 major injuries perannum (37% of all occupational injury accidents)

• Over 8500 major injuries are suffered each year at acost to the economy of £750 million each year

• A cost of £512 million is felt by employers in lostproduction and other costs each year.

Behaviour

Environment Contamination

Floor material

FootwearUse

CONTROLLABLE

PREDICTABLE

Slip Potential

The HSE Slip potential model

All Polysafe products achieve a Pendulum reading inthe wet of 36+ which lies within the low slip riskcategory and this slip resistance is assured for theguaranteed life of the product.

For floorcoverings in continually wet areas such aswalk-in showers, a softer TRL (Slider 55) rubber slidercan be used on the Pendulum foot (UK Slip ResistanceGroup Guidelines 2005) in order to simulate the act ofa bare foot or a user with soft soled footwear slippingon a floor. The same requirements of meeting 36 orabove are needed to give a low slip risk classification.Our wet room product adheres to these guidelines -Polysafe Hydro obtains results of 36+ using both 4Sand TRL rubber sliders.

SURFACE ROUGHNESSThis test is also favoured by the HSE to be used on-sitein conjunction with the Pendulum test and involvesmeasuring the total micro surface roughness of theflooring with a surface roughness meter. A mean value

of several peak to valley measurements is electronicallycalculated on the surface by tracing a needle over thefloor at various points. This measure is felt to be agood predictor of slip performance.

In order to cope with different contaminant spillages ofvarious process materials, the surface roughness of theflooring must be sufficient in order to penetrate thesqueeze films created when there is a presence of wetcontaminants between shoe sole and the floor thatprevents solid-to-solid contact. The surface roughnessthe floor requires is governed by the viscosity level ofliquid contaminants in the application area.

Note that in the materials listed below, margarine forexample, relates more to areas where this material is anintrinsic part of the environment, such as a margarineprocessing unit, as opposed to minor use of spreadingmargarine in sandwiches in a café for instance.All Polysafe products exceed Rz 20µm, and inaccordance with HSE Guidelines are classed asproducts with low slip potential. Polysafe Ultima has atypical result of Rz ≥70µm and also has a Pendulum wettest result of 40+(4S Rubber/Slider 96).

PENDULUM TEST VALUE(WET TEST USING 4S RUBBER/SLIDER 96) SLIP RISK

0 - 24 HIGH

25 - 35 MODERATE

36 + LOW

MINIMUM RTM ROUGHNESS LEVELS

Contaminant Contaminant Minimum Rz Floor Viscosity Roughness

<1 Clean water, Coffee, 20µm Soft Drinks

1 - 5 Milk, Soap Solution 45µm

5 - 30 Cooking Stock 60µm

30 - 50 Motor Oil, Olive Oil 70µm

>50 Gear Oil, Margarine Above 70µm

25

THE RAMP TEST (DIN 51130 & AS/NZ 4586)

This test involves testing a shod foot person on aninclined ramp, in the presence of an oil contaminant.The resulting level of degrees the ramp can be inclinedbefore the operator slips is categorised into appropriate‘R’ values – running from R9 up to R13 as shown below.This test has been commonly used in Europe, especiallyin the hard flooring sector. Whilst Polyflor quotesresults of this test on all products (see page 34), it isbelieved that this test can be used to mislead. Firstly, acommon misconception is that the R scale runs fromR1 to R13 with R1 being the most slippery when in factan R9 rated product is classified as the floor with themost slipperiness. This allows a hole for manufacturersto crawl through where R9 products are sold asspecialist, slip resistant surfaces. Furthermore, thistest is carried out ex-factory and is not practical toreplicate on-site, so gives no reliable measure ofperformance and wear over the life of the floor, as ispossible with the Pendulum and Surface Roughnesstests. For instance, a factory applied thin coating couldbe applied to pass the Ramp test but the slipperinesswill normally change significantly on installation andwould soon wear off in use after maintenance regimeshave been applied.

BAREFOOT RAMP TEST (DIN 51097)This test relates specifically to the performance offlooring in barefoot and continually wet conditionsusing a barefoot operator with soap solution ascontaminant. Showers, swimming pools andhydrotherapy areas are typical areas for which thistest may be requested. Given the nature of traffic inthese areas and the use of bare feet, the issue of wearover the life of the floor does not cause the sameissues as with the shod Ramp test. However, the HSEalso has reservations about both Ramp tests asneither use contaminants that are representative ofthose commonly found in workplaces.

Polysafe Hydro achieves a B rating, suitable for showersand pool surrounds etc.

The UK Slip Resistance Group (UKSRG) also finds thatthe Ramp test does not correlate at all with thePendulum test because of the difference in type ofcontaminants used and the more industrial typefootwear used by the operator in the Ramp test.Therefore, the UKSRG has developed an alternativeRamp test using water as the contaminant andfootwear with Four S rubber soles, however this test isstill not able to be replicated on-site and thus suffersfrom the same durability issues, so should not be usedsolely as a basis for specification.

COMPLEMENTARY TEST METHODSOther methods of measuring the slip resistance offloors are available, however these are only seen asbeing complementary tools and should not be used asa basis for floor surface specification, modificationand legal proceedings, over and above the HSErecommended Pendulum test and surface roughnessmeasurements.

THE HSE SLIPS ASSESSMENT TOOL (SAT)

Classification Class A Class B Class C (barefoot (showers, (steps into walkways, pool water, walk mainly dry) surrounds) through pools etc)

Slip angle 12 - 17° 18 - 23° 24+°

26

HE

ALT

H &

SA

FETY

LA

BO

RA

TOR

Y, S

CIE

NC

E P

HO

TO L

IBR

AR

Y

This is a computer software programme developed bythe HSE which, in conjunction with a hand-held surfaceroughness meter, can be used in-situ to risk assess sliphazards. The software operator feeds in informationon-site such as: the surface roughness readings,amount of contamination, footwear used and thecleaning regime implemented in order to gain a slip riskclassification for the floor, taking into account thesefactors and others detailed in the slip potential model.This simple software programme can be downloadedfree of charge, from www.hse.gov.uk/slips.

ROLLER-COASTER TEST - SLIP ALERT

This is a relatively new measurement tool that hasbeen developed specifically to reproduce thecharacteristics of the hydrodynamic squeeze film thatoccurs under a pedestrian’s heel when they slip,measuring the average slip resistance over the areatested. However, this test is in its infancy and with itslimited experience, sole reliance to this test onmanufacturers’ product specifications should not besought to qualify specification of floor surfaces.

RIBA APPROVED CPDA RIBA Approved CPD Seminar is available to bepresented by a Polyflor representative covering theafore-mentioned slip resistance methods and to assistthe specification of safety floorcoverings. ContactPolyflor for further information. This presentation isalso available as an online CPD. Further details can befound by visiting www.ribaonlinecpd.com.

EN 13845:2005This European Norm specifically relates toparticle based safety flooring. Whilst thisstandard covers all aspects of product quality,

it also brings in another measure of slip resistance:

ESf – all Polysafe products achieve a rating ofEnhanced Slip for use with footwear, as opposed to DS,(meaning Dry Slip) as stated in the EN 13893 standard

ESb – Polysafe Hydro achieves a rating of EnhancedSlip Barefoot.

CE MARKINGFrom 2007, all flooring sold in Europe must carry theCE mark and show results on two mandatoryperformance aspects – fire and slip.

The vast majority of smooth vinyl floors willcarry a Dry Slip rating – this essentially means that theflooring is safe for use. For safety flooring or slipresistant flooring specifically, you should look for anES rating.

In addition, continually wet area safety floorings likePolysafe Hydro must conform to EN 13553 for watertightness, in order to achieve CE marking status.

USEFUL REFERENCES FOR FURTHER READING‘Assessing the slip resistance of flooring’ HSE Information Sheet, 2007

‘Taking Slips and Trips Seriously’ Paul Beaumont, HSC

‘Slips and trips: The importance of floor cleaning’HSE Information Sheet – Slips and Trips 2

‘Slips and trips: Summary guidance for the catering industry’HSE Information Sheet – Catering Sheet No 6

‘Preventing slips in the food and drink industries – technical update onfloor specifications’ HSE Information Sheet – Food Sheet No 22

‘Preventing slips and trips in kitchens and food service’HSE Information Sheet – Catering Sheet No 6 (revised)

‘Preventing slip and trip incidents in the education sector’HSE Information Sheet – Education Sheet No 2 (revised)

‘Slips and trips in the health services’ HSE Information Sheet –Health Services Sheet No 2

UK Slip Resistance Group (UKSRG) Guidelines, 2005

Health Technical Memorandum 61 : Flooring – Department of Health

All HSE Guidance is available on: www.hse.gov.uk/slips/information.htm

Points to consider:

• HSE recommends the Pendulum test in conjunction

with surface roughness meter for real life in-situ

results

• All Polysafe products adhere to HSE Guidelines,

achieving 36+ in the Pendulum wet test (Four S Rubber

/Slider 96) with a surface roughness of Rz ≥20µm.

• The slip resistance on all Polysafe ranges is assured for

the guaranteed life of the product

• Other methods of measuring slip resistance are only

complementary and should not be used as sole

indicators for specification, for example the Ramp test

is an ex-factory test and cannot be replicated on-site

• RIBA Approved CPD seminar for the specification of

safety vinyl floorcoverings is available directly from

Polyflor representatives or online

6

27

By the nature of its common use areas, Polysafe isoften used alongside other elements of the floor.Drainage outlets to accommodate water, transition tovarious other floor and wall surfaces and welding tocreate both a hygienic as well as waterproof finish.

This section of the brochure is designed to bring theseconsiderations into mind when specifying as well asdemonstrating how they can be achieved.

There are no short cuts to optimum performance withthe installation of any flooring. That is why anoverview should be taken of each project so that thefinishing details are considered right from the start ofthe project. It also means that all parties are aware oftheir individual areas of responsibility.

There is no question that the final details contributeso much to an impressive finish for the floor. Theseinclude relatively minor details such as awkwardcorners, internal or external mitres, the junction wheredifferent floorcoverings meet and finishing detailsaround drains and other accessories. They make uponly a small proportion of the total floor, yet they oftenmake up most of an architect’s snag list.

A Polyflor installation must focus on these importantdetails and also take into account all aspects of thelocation. We believe that the floor must not only lookgood, but also perform well, so that it is impermeable,hygienic and safe.

DRAINAGEThe location of drains is important. As far as possible,they should be away from sources of vibration (toreduce movement) and from beams, columns and walls(to make leak detection easier). Obviously, they shouldbe close to the main spillage sources, when directoutlets from spillage sources are not possible.

The floor gradient into the drain depends on theprocess, traffic volume and the surface texture of thefloorcovering. The drains used should be built to permitexamination, cleaning and repair without theseoperations causing damage to the floor.

SHOWER DRAINSOnly drains which have been specifically designed foruse with sheet vinyl floorings should be considered.Most of these drains have clamping rings, whichensure the watertight security which is essentialwhere hygiene and safety are of primary importance.

These clamping rings ensure that the Polysafefloorcovering is held securely in position and theyprevent the ingress of water that could adverselyaffect the adhesion at this critical point.

Finishing and detailing

28

DRAINAGE CHANNEL

POLYSAFEPOLYSAFE

CHANNEL COVER

POLYFLOR

CLAMP

Typical Specification DetailThe drain to be fitted must be suitable for use with aPolysafe floorcovering, and must incorporate aneffective clamping ring. It should be (model type) asmanufactured by (manufacturer) or approvedequivalent. It must be installed in strict accordancewith the manufacturer’s recommendations. A Polysafefloorcovering must be heat formed with no joints ontothe angular face of the drainage hole. The floorcoveringshould be adhered around the drainage hole for aminimum of 150mm, using a water-resistant epoxy orpolyurethane adhesive as approved by Polyflor.In generally wet areas, a water-resistant epoxy orpolyurethane adhesive as approved by Polyflor shouldbe used throughout. The exposed edge of the Polysafeshould be finished with a bead of mastic sealant.

DRAINAGE CHANNELS AND GULLEYSAgain, only drainage channels and gulleys whichincorporate vinyl clamping and locking systems intotheir design should be considered.

Typical Specification DetailThe drainage channel to be fitted must be suitable foruse with Polysafe floorcoverings and must incorporatean effective clamping ring or locking device. It shouldbe (model type) as manufactured by (manufacturer) orapproved equivalent. It must be installed in strictaccordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.The Polysafe floorcovering must be heat formed ontothe angular face of the drainage channel. The Polysafefloorcovering should be adhered around the drainagechannel for a minimum of 150mm, using awater-resistant epoxy or polyurethane adhesive asapproved by Polyflor. In generally wet areas, awater-resistant epoxy or polyurethane adhesive asapproved by Polyflor should be used throughout.The exposed edge of the Polysafe floorcovering shouldbe finished with a bead of mastic sealant.

BM stainless steel drain prior to fitting vinyl clamping ring BM drain with clamping ring in place.

Drainage channel finishing detail

29

POLYSAFEPOLYSAFE

WELD WELD

EDGE TRIMSIn many of the areas where Polysafe is installed, othertypes of floorcovering will also be used. The junctionbetween the Polysafe flooring and these other types offloorcovering is a potential weak point, if not treatedproperly. Correct installation minimises problems suchas water leakage and trip hazards.

POLYSAFE WITH CERAMIC OR QUARRY FLOOR TILESIn installations where the edge of the vinyl comes intocontact with ceramic or quarry tiles, it is importantthat a watertight joint is achieved at the junction.Aluminium edge trims with PVC inserts are ideal forthis purpose. They facilitate installation and the PVCinsert allows for a welded joint between the edge trimand the Polysafe floorcovering.

Typical Specification DetailThe edge trim to be fitted must be suitable for use withPolysafe flooring. It should be (model type) asmanufactured by (manufacturer) or approvedequivalent. The edge trim must be installed in strictaccordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.The Polysafe flooring should be fitted accurately to theedge trim and welded.

ACCESS AND MANHOLE COVERSIt is important that access covers are used whichfacilitate either the welding of the Polysafeflooring to the cover and frame or where the Polysafeflooring can be clamped into place. Both thesesolutions result in a watertight, hygienic and safe joint.

Typical Specification DetailThe access covers to be fitted must be suitable for usewith Polysafe flooring. They should be (model type) asmanufactured by (manufacturer) or approvedequivalent. The access covers must be installed instrict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.The Polysafe flooring should be fitted accurately to theaccess cover and welded.

Visedge VR edge trim Finished detail

Fixing detail of single access cover.

30

SKIRTINGS AND OTHER FINISHESPolyflor supplies a wide range of PVC profiles whichare ideal for use with the Polysafe portfolio. In mostinstallations, we would recommend that the Polysafeflooring is either site-formed coved up the wall, or a“set in” coved skirting is used which can be welded tothe Polysafe flooring.

SITE-FORMED COVINGFor the junction between site-formed coved Polysafeflooring and ceramic wall tiles, Polyflor Ejecta CTCapping strip provides the ideal solution.

The flexible section is designed to accept ceramic walltiles on one side and the various gauges of Polysafeflooring on the other.

Typical Specification DetailThe Polyflor CT strip should be adhered using acontact adhesive as recommended by Polyflor.The edge between the CT strip and the ceramic tilesshould be grouted. The Polysafe flooring should be fittedinto the bottom edge of the CT strip and adhered to thewall using a contact adhesive as recommendedby Polyflor.

A thin bead of mastic sealant should be run along theunderside edge of the CT strip and the Polysafeflooring.

SET-IN COVED SKIRTINGSWhere it is impractical or where it is not cost effectiveto use the site-formed coved method of installation,the Polyflor “set-in” skirting is a viable alternative.Very similar to the “sit-on” type skirting in appearance,the set in skirting has a 50mm toe which is stuck tothe subfloor and allows the main field of sheet vinyl tobe welded to it.

Typical Specification DetailThe Polysafe set-in coved skirting MC (profile type)should be adhered using a contact adhesive asrecommended by Polyflor. All internal and externalcorners should be mitred. The Polysafe flooring shouldbe welded to the skirting.

A. Polyflor CF PVC Cove Former

B. Profile of a typical coved skirting,

inset shows Polyflor Ejecta CT strip in detail

C. Profile of set-in skirting

A

B

C

31

PROTECTION FROM RADIATED HEAT SOURCESThe Polysafe range of floorcoverings is often used insituations where excessive heat causes problems withthe floorcovering and the adhesive. It is impractical togive specific details, as equipment such as ovens andkilns vary in design and height above the flooringmaterial.

Where the conditions may cause a problem, we wouldrecommend the use of metal oven trays that deflectthe heat away from the floor, and an adhesive suitablefor these conditions, such as an epoxy or polyurethane.If you are unsure, we recommend that you discuss theapplication with our Customer Technical Support Team.

Full installation instructions for Polysafe products canbe found in the Polyflor Technical Manual – alsoavailable online at www.polyflor.com.

Q. Does Polyflor supply wall cladding and can this be

joined to Polysafe material?

A. Yes, Polyflor can supply the whole package. Our

Polyclad wall coverings can be supplied and used in

conjunction with Polysafe vinyl floorcoverings and welded

together at the seams to create an impermeable surface

without dirt, water or bacteria ingress. Floor finishes from

our Polyflor Ejecta range can also be used to create the

perfect watertight finish, for example a cove former to

enable Polysafe material to be flexibly fitted from the

floor up to the wall through site-formed coving.

A complete floor to wall solution...

Q. Can Polysafe be laid onto foam to create increased

acoustic performance?

A. Yes, increasingly in schools and social housing projects,

the issues of underfoot safety and acoustic performance

are becoming intertwined in an endeavour to comply with

Part E of the UK Building Regulations. The Polyflor

solution to this is to combine safety flooring with use of

our closed cell Acoustifoam product. This is a 2mm thick

layer of sheet foam laid on the subfloor first, with Polysafe

or alternative Polyflor smooth vinyls laid over the top of

the Acoustifoam. This combination in no way impairs the

performance of the safety flooring and will provide an

impact sound reduction level of over 20dB in acoustic

performance, thereby exceeding the Building Regulation

requirements.

F R E Q U E N T L Y A S K E D Q U E S T I O N S

32

Bar Servery area at MCG Australia

Q. What is the best way to clean your Polysafe

safety flooring?

A. All our Polysafe ranges require a straightforward

maintenance regime. Firstly, sweep, mop sweep or dry

vacuum the floor to remove loose dust, grit and debris.

Next, apply a solution of neutral or alkaline cleanser to the

floor diluted to the manufacturer’s instructions, with

enough time given for the solution to react with the soiling.

The floor should then be machine scrubbed using a 165 rpm

rotary machine fitted with a rotary scrubbing brush, or if

necessary, a scrubbing pad, followed by the slurry being

picked up with a wet vacuum. For areas where no suitable

scrubbing machine is available, a deck scrubber should be

used in conjunction with a wet vacuum or mop and bucket

system. Where a mop and bucket system is used, it would

be pertinent to use a separate bucket to wring the mop

out and hold the dirty water, thereby increasing the dirt

removal. The floor should then be rinsed thoroughly with

clean, warm water and picked up with a wet vacuum and

left to dry thoroughly. It is important that those responsible

for floor maintenance leave the floor to dry completely

before pedestrians are allowed access. In areas where this

is not possible, suitable barriers should be used to tell

people that the floor is still wet and if possible advise

them to make alternative bypass routes.

The frequency of each of the operations is dependent

upon the type and intensity of traffic, however, if cleaning

procedures are carried out daily, it may be possible for the

maintenance regime to be undertaken last thing at night,

so the flooring is dry for the start of the next working shift.

For areas where there are instances of water-based

spillages, an effective method of removing these

contaminants can involve cleaning spills up immediately

as they happen. This ‘clean as you’ go policy avoids

spreading contamination around the floor as spillages are

taken care of immediately. This allows contamination to be

controlled as these spot cleanings are carried out at times

separate to the whole floor area being cleaned. For water

spillages, users can undertake spot mopping or cleaning,

using a paper towel or similar to remove small areas of

contamination from the floor. For greasy and oily spills, a

neutral detergent, diluted to the manufacturer’s

instruction should be used to spot mop the contaminant.

Stubborn black marks can be removed by using the centre

disc of a scrubbing pad and a small amount of undiluted

alkaline cleanser. The disc should be placed under the sole

of the shoe and rubbed to give greater pressure to the

surface.

For Supratec+ products, all the traditional methods of

maintenance such as scrubbing machines can be used.

However, a clean microfibre mop can also be used to pick

up the diluted solution of detergent once it has reacted to

the soiling, using a continuous side-to-side motion. Once

the mop head becomes loaded, it will start streaking the

floor. At this stage, the dirty mop head should be replaced

with a clean mop head. The cycle should then be repeated

until the whole floor is completed.

For Polysafe Hydro, our profiled emboss product for

continually wet and barefoot areas, the scrubbing pad on

the rotary machine should be replaced with a rotary

scrubbing brush, bristle brush or deck scrubber.

Alternatively a cylindrical type scrubbing machine should

be used. All spot cleaning for this product should involve

the use of a deck scrubber.

Full maintenance information and recommended

maintenance products are available online at

www.polyflor.com.

Q. Can I apply polish to your safety flooring?

A. Categorically, any polish or floor maintainer should not

be applied to any Polysafe flooring as this may impair the

main performance attribute of the floor - its slip

resistance. For further advice please contact our

Customer Technical Support Team.

Q. Can I use under-floor heating with Polysafe flooring?

A. Yes, all Polysafe vinyl product ranges can be installed

over underfloor heating, providing that the service

operating temperature does not exceed 27°C (80° F) and

the heating system is switched off during the installation

period from 48 hours prior to installation until 48 hours

afterwards. The adhesive used should be capable of

withstanding temperatures up to 27°C.

Q. How dry does a subfloor need to be before Polysafe

can be laid?

A. Polysafe flooring should only be laid on subfloors

where the moisture level does not exceed 75% RH in

accordance with BS 8203 and which do not suffer from

rising damp or hydrostatic pressure.

The Hygrometer is the only method of test acceptable as

detailed in BS 8203 and only readings taken over at least

a 72 hour period should be considered to represent the

moisture content of the subfloor. Subfloors with a relative

humidity in excess of 75% will invariably cause failure of

the bond between the substrate and floorcovering.

Polyflor does not condone the practice of laying safety

flooring direct to subfloors with moisture content readings

above 75% and accepts no responsibility for

non-performance of Polysafe products in such instances.

For further advice on methods to implement when the

moisture of a subfloor exceeds 75%, please contact our

Customer Technical Support Team.

33

2.0mm

2.0mm

2.0mm

2.0mm

2.0mm

2.5mm

3.5mm

2.0mm

2.5mm

For information regarding handling and installation, adhesives,maintenance, applications and chemical resistance, consultPolyflor.

* WATER TIGHTNESS EN 13553 Annex A

** Sustainable wet slip resistance. The slip resistance across all Polysafeproducts is assured throughout the guaranteed life of the product, withstrict adherence to HSE Guidelines.

For further clarification regarding slip resistance, consult Polyflor.

The data presented is correct at the time of printing.

For latest information, please check our web site at www.polyflor.com

Polysafe flooring products have been independently tested and resultsdemonstrate that they inhibit the growth of MRSA. An effective cleaning regime is however, the most important defenceagainst infection.

Corona

Astral

Vogue Ultra

Strata

Standard

Hydro*

Ultima

1 R2m x 20m

= 40m2

2m x 20m= 40m2

2m x 20m= 40m2

2m x 20m= 40m2

2m x 20m= 40m2

2m x 20m= 40m2

2m x 15m= 30m2

2m x 20m= 40m2

2m x 20m= 40m2

2400g/m2

2450g/m2

2400g/m2

2430g/m2

2430g/m2

3100g/m2

4400g/m2

2450g/m2

3000g/m2

EN 13501-1 Class Bfl-S1EN ISO 9239-1 ≥8kw/m2

EN ISO 11925-2 PassASTM E648 Class 1













EN 13845ASTM F1303Agrément — G5ws







GAUGE ROLL SIZE WEIGHT GENERAL PERFORMANCE REACTION TO FIRE ENHANCED SLIP**

69 .EN 13845 ESf RRL Pendulum Test ≥36 (wet test - 4S Rubber/Slider 96)Surface roughnessRz ≥20µmAS/NZS 4586 R10

EN 13845 ESf RRL Pendulum Test ≥36 (wet test - 4S Rubber/Slider 96)Surface roughnessRz ≥20µmAS/NZS 4586 R10




EN 13845 ESbRRL Pendulum Test ≥36 (wet test - 4S andTRL Rubber)Surface roughnessRz ≥20µmAS/NZS4586 PartC ClassB


Specifications

34

DHK

DHK

DHK

DHK

DHK

DHK

Industry Standards Glossary

EN 13845:2005 – The European Norm for polyvinyl chloridefloorcoverings with particle based enhanced slip resistance.Used within CE Marking for safety floors.

EN 649:1997 - The main standard relating to homogeneousand heterogeneous polyvinyl chloride floorcoverings. Usedwithin CE Marking.

EN 685:2005 - This relates to the classification of productsin relation to the intensity of use, linking this with abrasionresistance and wearlayer thickness.

EN 13501-1:2002 – This relates to the classification ofbuilding products in terms of fire performance and reactionto fire tests and is an essential requirement of the EuropeanConstruction Products Directive. This fire test is used withinCE Marking.

EN 13553:2002 – Standard relating to polyvinyl chloridefloorcoverings for use in special wet areas, covering watertightness and strength of weld. Also used within CE Markingfor continually wet area products.

t 5 LEN 649 Group T

EN 1384550,000 cycles

EN 649 Group T

EN 1384550,000 cycles

EN 649 Group T

EN 1384550,000 cycles

EN 649 Group T

EN 1384550,000 cycles

EN 649 Group T

EN 1384550,000 cycles

EN 649 Group P

EN 649 Group T

EN 1384550,000 cycles

Good resistanceto dilute acids

and alkalis


and alkalis


and alkalis


and alkalis


and alkalis


and alkalis


and alkalis

Contains antimicrobialagents for improvedhygiene protection







AgBB VOC test:Pass (Low Result)







Enhanced withSupratec+ with

polyurethane foreven greater

maintenance benefits

Enhanced withSupratec+ with

polyurethane foreven greater

maintenance benefits

EN 1815Pass

EN 1815Pass

EN 1815Pass

EN 1815Pass

EN 1815Pass

EN 1815Pass

EN 1815Pass

ABRASION RESISTANCE HYGIENE RESISTANCE TO CHEMICALS VOC EMISSIONS MAINTENANCE ENHANCEMENT ELECTRICAL BEHAVIOUR USE AREA CLASSIFICATION

35

SAFETY IN NUMBERS

FalckDesign ABPO Box 10251,SE-434 23 Kungsbacka, Energigatan 9, SwedenTel: +46 (0) 300 15820Fax: +46 (0) 300 15790

James Halstead Flooring New Zealand Ltd11 Dalgety Drive, Wiri,PO Box 98943 SAMC,Auckland, New ZealandTel: +64 (09) 269 1110 Fax: +64 (09) 268 2083

objectflor Art und Design Belags GmbHWankelstraße 50, 50996 Köln,GermanyTel: +49 (0) 2236 966 330Fax: +49 (0) 2236 966 3399

Polyflor Australia59-65 Wedgewood Road, Hallam, Vic 3803, AustraliaTel: 1800 777 425Fax: +61 (0) 3 9215 4444

Polyflor Hong KongRoom 2409, 24th Floor,New York Life Tower,Windsor House, 311 Gloucester Road,Causeway Bay, Hong KongTel: +852 2865 0101Fax: +852 2520 1001

Polyflor IrelandBracetown Business Park,Bracetown, Clonee,Co. Meath, IrelandTel: +353 (1) 877 2770Fax: +353 (1) 877 2734

Polyflor NordicKjelsåsveien 168 B, N-0884 Oslo,NorwayTel: +47 23 00 84 00 Fax: +47 23 00 84 10

WWW.POLYFLOR.COM

Visit the Polyflor website for further detailson worldwide distribution, as well asup-to-date product and technical information.

POLYFLOR LTD. PO BOX 3 RADCLIFFE NEW ROAD WHITEFIELD MANCHESTER M45 7NR UK

TEL: +44 (0)161 767 1111 UK SALES DIRECT: +44 (0)161 767 1122 UK SAMPLE REQUESTS: +44 (0)161 767 2551

UK FAX: +44 (0)161 767 1128 EXPORT FAX: +44 (0)161 767 1166

E-MAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: WWW.POLYFLOR.COM

LIT153 08/07

Documents

POLYSAFE. THE COMPLETE SAFETY FLOORING SOLUTIONsweets.construction.com/swts_content_files/1468/445690.pdf · as raising the bar significantly in 2000 with the launch of Supratec –