Construction World August 2018

SHOPPING CENTRES & OFFICE DEVELOPMENTS

L’il Masters wanted to not only ensure that the finish underfoot would facilitate a produc- tive, hygienic and efficient working environment – but that it would also reflect the compa- ny’s colours and identity. To achieve this, 7 000 m 2 of the antibacterial enhanced, polyure- thane system Flowfresh MF was applied in a number of different zones and in a selection of colours that matched L’il Masters branding. Flowfresh MF was the ideal solution for the task at hand, as it would be able to maintain its bright and vibrant colouring in the face of the factory’s intensive industrial operations. Each one of the five different colours used across the site would face a number of challenges depending on where it was located. For example, the 1 700 m 2 of Sand Yellow flooring in the main manufacturing area would be exposed to physical impacts, frequent cleaning, large machinery and foot traffic while the 1 700 m 2 Signal Green coating in the finished goods warehouse has to withstand point loading from very heavy pallets and the frequent movement of forklift trucks. The other colours that were used for this project included 200 m 2 of Signal Grey in the maintenance and tools area, 1 700 m 2 of Tomato Red in the materials warehouse and 1 700 m 2 of Light Blue in the wet wipe manufacturing, packaging and storage room. Not only did this floor design cleverly connect the factory with the overarching business, but it also provides a useful navigational tool for staff and visitors by visually linking a specific space with a colour. Due to the nature of L’il Masters’ business, it was imperative to ensure that each stage of the manufacturing process is as clean and sanitary as possible in order to avoid contam- inants affecting the quality of the products. The seamless and impervious characteristics of Flowfresh MF makes it very easy to clean, ensuring that L’il Masters would be able to keep the floor area fresh and unblem- ished. Coving was applied along the edge of each room to create a smooth transition between the floor and the wall, stopping any dirt or contaminants getting trapped in this hard to clean gap. Flowfresh was able to further enhance the site’s cleanability, as it incorporates a pow- erful, all-natural antibacterial agent. The bactericidal additive Polygiene ® is homogenously distributed throughout every Flowfresh system, empowering it with the ability to eliminate up to 99,9% of bacteria in contact with the floor. The durability of Flowfresh means that it will maintain its hygienic, functional and aesthetic properties for an extended period of time. If properly maintained, L’il Masters new floor should provide its factory in Johannesburg with a high-performance finish for well over a decade.  Combininig colour with cleanliness The diaper manufacturer L’il Masters created a hard wearing and colourful floor throughout its new factory in Johannesburg’s Kliprivier Business Park using Flowcrete Africa’s specialist Flowfresh flooring range.

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD AUGUST 2018