When it comes to flooring, the pharmaceutical industry has its own unique needs just like any other industry. Thanks to the progress in technology, flooring options are much more diverse than ever. No matter what kind of requirements, you will always be able to find the most ideal option to match the specific needs of your commercial facility. Since floors in pharmacy facilities have special requirements, you should choose flooring that is both durable and safe.
The standards for safety and hygiene in a pharmacy facility are much higher than any other industry. That is exactly why you need to select the most ideal flooring for your hospital, lab or biotech facility.
Pharmacy Flooring Requirements
While safety protocols are put in place to protect a pharmacy facility from different types of hazards and contamination, the flooring for this industry also plays a key role in contributing to these standards. Given below are some of the key requirements that pharmacy floors have to fulfill.
Hygiene and Safety: Pathogens and contaminants are an important concern in pharmacy facilities, warehouses, and manufacturing plants. If the safety protocols are not adhered to in a strict manner, contamination can easily spread throughout the facility. If the flooring in a pharmacy facility has cracks and grout lines, dirt, dust, and microbes can easily spread and contaminate the place. Therefore, pharmacy floors need to be free from pores, cracks, and seams.
In addition to these, pharmacy flooring also needs to be resistant to slips, heat, fire, and impact. The flooring should be installed taking into account the specific requirements of the everyday operations in the facility.
Durability: Among other challenges that pharmacy facilities present, strength of the floor covering is one of the most crucial. The selected flooring material should be highly durable to stand up to the facility’s everyday operations and conditions. Preparations in a pharmacy facility demand a flooring, which has toughness and strong adhesion for long-lasting performance.
Stain Resistance: In a pharmaceutical environment, chemicals and other preparations that spill on to the floor can leave tough marks and stains on the floor. Unless the floors in the facility are stain-resistant, the floor will sustain damage due to harsh chemical compounds. So, you should always install a flooring material, which has a superior level of resistance to chemicals.
Aesthetics: The look and feel of pharmacy floors can never be ignored. When you choose a flooring material for a hospital, lab, or pharmacy retail facility, you also want the floor to look aesthetically pleasing. So, you should go for a product, which offers the colors and styles you look for.
Easy to Maintain: A pharmacy facility does not need a flooring which requires a lot of maintenance. In fact, you need to install a flooring which stays neat and clean with the least amount of maintenance.
The flooring in a pharmaceutical environment should be a perfect match for all the challenges and concerns, as stated above. Before you head out to the market or get in touch with a flooring contractor, you should know what your exact needs are and then select the material based on the same. If you need expert advice in this regard, feel free to reach out to one of our specialists at Minuteman Floors. Our flooring company serves clients in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Different Departments in Pharmacy Facilities
The pharmaceutical industry is a huge one. Pharmacy facilities have multiple areas or departments, each of which has its own needs and demands. So, the flooring system you install in your facility should have the potential to meet the diverse demands in various departments.
A pharmacy facility can have multiple departments such as:
- Production and packaging
- Research and development
- Laboratory
- Storage spaces
Compared to other areas, the production and packaging department receives a heavy amount of foot traffic on a daily basis. The research and development department is well-known for being a highly-controlled environment. Likewise, each department or area in a pharmacy facility has its own specific requirements, which must be fulfilled by the flooring you install in that area.
Four Ideal Pharmacy Flooring Options
Given below are four seamless flooring options for installing in a hospital, laboratory or retail pharmacy facility. Each of these offers unique features to meet specific demands and suits different budgetary needs.
Vinyl Sheets or Planks: Vinyl is a strong and durable material. Over the years, vinyl has evolved to offer a wide variety of sheets and planks. If you are looking for a product which is both durable and economical, you should definitely consider installing this product in your pharmacy facility.
Vinyl sheets and planks are available in a broad range of colors and styles. This flooring material is a good choice, if your facility gets a high amount of traffic. Experienced floor installers will heat-weld the seams in a way that you will have a smooth and even surface. The best thing about vinyl sheets and planks is that you will not have a hard time getting them repaired or replaced. Just remember not to move heavy equipment on the floor to avoid wear and tear.
Epoxy Flooring: Made up of resins and hardening agents, epoxy flooring is an ideal flooring option for pharmacy environments. It is this formulation, which gives epoxy flooring high durability.
The installation of epoxy flooring involves the application of at least 2mm thick epoxy coating. The curative gives the coating a high level of hardness, which perfectly suits the demands of pharmacy facilities. This material is highly resistant to wear and tear and hence ideal for installation in production and manufacturing facilities and a number of other industrial settings. Once this flooring material is laid down in your facility, you do not have to worry about slips and falls or different types of chemicals falling onto the floor. Epoxy floors are super chemical-resistant. Most of all, you can keep this flooring clean with the least effort.
Cement Terrazzo: This type of flooring has been around for years. However, it is applied in multiple forms. Polymer modified cement terrazzo is the most ideal form, suited for installation in pharmacy facilities. Professionals first install the cement terrazzo and then grind it for a smooth finish. Finally, a polymer coating is applied over the material to give it the desired appearance.
Acrylic Flooring: This type of flooring is well-suited to both indoor and outdoor needs. The acrylic surface is hard, durable, and agile as well. If your pharmacy facility gets lots of traffic on a regular basis, you should consider installing acrylic flooring. Typically, the flooring material is applied in a fluid form, along with other aggregates for creating thickness and visual appeal. The addition of a water-based resin gives acrylic floors a high level of hardness. This option is also economical because it does not need grinding or polishing after installation.
Installation of acrylic flooring or other similar resinous flooring systems in hospitals, clinics, and retail pharmacy facilities is ideal, as it helps you maintain high standards of hygiene and cleanliness. Acrylic flooring material can be installed in many different ways, consisting of several layers.
Tips on Pharmacy Floor Selection
Since there are multiple flooring options for pharmaceutical environments, it is crucial to evaluate what kind of features you need.
As a facility manager, you should narrow down the available flooring options in terms of both functionality and design. The ideal flooring is that which aligns with your facility’s everyday operational needs and looks appealing. At the same time, you should assess a specific option in terms of both short-term and long-term performance. You do not need to lay down flooring, which is expensive to maintain in the long term and has a high repair and replacement cost.
When you calculate the total cost of a flooring product, you should never forget about the installation as well as how much you will be spending down the line for the care and maintenance of the material.
Want to Know More About Pharmacy Flooring?
At Minuteman Floors, we offer a number of customizable flooring options for installation in hospitals, clinical pharmacies, compounding laboratories, ambulatory care facilities, and biotech facilities. If you have a question in regard to pharmacy flooring or need premium quality flooring material and expert installation services, reach out to one of our specialists for your free consultation.
You can get in touch with us via a quick phone call or write us an email using the contact form on our website.