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Dear All,

Has anyone come across a particularly good flooring for a podiatry surgery. I am currently fitting out two new urgeries and am looking for a flooring material that will be easily cleaned, anti-static, not too cold for patients to stand on, but which can be contoured to fit up to skirting level and will wear well.

Any suggestions would be most welcome, as would any advice re bonding the flooring to the wall and the type of cleaning materials that should/should not be used.

Many thanks,

Anne

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Any of the clean room builders should be familiar with this type of flooring, and needs.
A company called Arden, based in Melbourne, do work all around Australia. Try Jeff Newing 03 9706 4023

Alan,

Many thanks for this advice. Unfortunately I am not based in Australia. I am in the UK and, working in private practice, do not have access to NHS contractors who carry out this sort of work.

I am already conversant with NHS Estates guidance, but am concerned at the state of the flooring that I see in some hospitals, when it has complied with this advice.

It seems that using the wrong cleaning materials on such surfaces can react with the adhesives used causing them to part company with the walls. This effectively creates niches which harbour germs. I think we could say that what sounds like the optimal flooring in theory may not always prove to be so in practice. I understand that some of this hospital grade/industrial type flooring can also be difficult to clean.

I asked this question in the hope that other members might have had experience of such flooring and hopefully discovered the best materials to use, thus saving me from making some costly mistakes.

Regards

Anne

Hi Anne

I got hospital-grade vinyl about 18 months ago. I was not happy with the result at first in that it looked grubby from day one and no matter what detergent I used and how hard I scrubbed I could not make it look clean. The floor covering shop / outlet was absolutely no help. I was at my wits end and was considering replacing it thinking it was dodgy.

I asked my carpet cleaner about it, he contacted the company that supplied the vinyl and found out the specific cleaning instructions. Next thing I knew it was looking better than brand new.

My carpet cleaner mentioned that he would have cleaned it another way / with a certain product ordinarily but that this was contraindicated for my vinyl.

Don't expect the floor covering shop to tell you how to clean / care for it, contact the manufacturer.

Rebecca

Hi Rebecca,

This is precisely the sort of information I am looking for.

Do you know what your material is called or who supplied it? What special cleaning instructions did you receive, or was it all about using a certain brand of cleaning material?

I do appreciate your help, as I would rather get it right first time around.

Many thanks

Anne

Anne,

I don't even know what the vinyl is called though I'm in Western Australia so possibly not much help to you anyway.

The cleaner was going to seal it but this stuff must not be sealed, he buffed it with a machine and gave me a detergent to use.

Good luck.

Hi Rebecca

Many thanks for your help.

Your input is still invaluable, as the flooring I am currently looking at is also distributed in Australia...

My main concern is with the state of the flooring that I see in some hospitals, which have complied with current advice.

It seems that using the wrong cleaning materials on such surfaces can react with the adhesives used causing them to part company with the walls. This effectively creates niches which harbour germs. I think we could say that what sounds like the optimal flooring in theory may not always prove to be so in practice. I understand that some of this hospital grade/industrial type flooring can also be difficult to clean. You have obviously discovered this too, although thankfully you seem to have overcome that hurdle.

As podiatrists in private practice we have no need of cleaning products supplied in large quantity for hospital or industry, so one has to be mindful of the availability of such materials and the size of cleaning containers before finally deciding on the flooring.

I asked this question in the hope that other members might have had experience of such flooring and hopefully discovered the best materials to use, thus saving me from making some costly mistakes.

Regards

Anne

Has anybody come across that recycled rubber stuff...Q *no question mark or brackets on this Italian keyboard.
It is used extensively in kindergartens. It is non slip, easy to clean and warm. I love it. I am going to put it on my outdoor room. Carole

Give nigel a ring on 07880 742 650 or 07886 205588

based in northants

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Anne, have you found a flooring product yet?

I am a professional flooring expert in the US. My job is troubleshooting and overseeing the installation and repairs of floors in hospitals and medical facilities. I believe you will be impressed if you look at Nora Rubber Flooring, manufactured by Freudenberg Systems in Germany.

Nora Rubber is available in many configurations and colors, needs only gentle cleaning, is extremely stain resistant (even iodine will not stain it), is comfortable under foot and is very slip resistant.

You can learn more about Nora Rubber at www.norarubber.com

If I can be of further assistance, please write me at lostlakeaero@powerweb.net in the US.

Hi John,

Yes I have already installed new flooring and will put it to the test of time when I open my new surgery at the end of next month.

I have read the information provided on Nora and it does appear to be an impressive material. I note that it is used a lot in airports, so presume that it is a good hard-wearing product.

Many thanks for your advice in this matter. It is very much appreciated.

Regards

Anne