What Is Food Safe Flooring?

ood-grade flooring is essential where food is prepared, processed, or stored. This includes butchers, delis, meatworks, abattoirs, supermarket produce departments, chillers, and freezers. These environments demand robust flooring that withstand daily abuse from trolleys, high foot traffic, forklifts, hot oil spills, acids, and fats.

The Importance of Urethane Cement in Food-Grade Flooring

Urethane cement flooring, also known as polyurethane cement, has become the standard in food and beverage establishments, often replacing traditional food-grade epoxy flooring systems. These systems utilize water-based urethanes, where the water hydrates the cement to create a polymer-modified concrete with a chemically resistant urethane binder.

Polyurethane cement is particularly suitable for bakeries and kitchens with high-temperature environments, such as hot ovens or requiring high-pressure cleaning. Unlike epoxy floor coatings, urethane cement can endure up to three times the heat, making it an ideal choice for food-safe flooring.

The Durability and Safety of Urethane Cement Flooring

Urethane cement flooring is engineered specifically for the food industry. It combines the strength of polymer urethane with cement and aggregate concretes, creating one of the most durable flooring materials available. This flooring solution is designed to inhibit bacteria growth, resist high temperatures, provide a non-slip surface, and withstand chemicals used in cleaning processes. For commercial kitchens that maintain food safety, urethane cement floors are a superior option.

Epoxy Coving for Enhanced Food Safety

Coving is a crucial component of food-grade flooring, referring to the half-round that runs around the floor-to-wall juncture. Typically, coving spans a distance of 100mm (4 inches) between the wall and the floor. Epoxy coving is used around the perimeter to simplify cleaning and prevent fluids from accumulating in corners, which can become breeding grounds for bacteria.

There are generally two choices for coving: epoxy coving and prefabricated aluminum coving. Epoxy coving is preferred because it is created on-site and hardens directly at the wall/floor junction, ensuring a solid seal that prevents liquid from seeping behind. In contrast, when installed post-flooring, aluminum coving leaves a gap at the floor-to-wall junction. This gap can trap water and other contaminants over time, leading to bacterial growth and unpleasant odors.

Conclusion

Food-grade flooring is critical to maintaining a safe and hygienic environment in food-related facilities. Urethane cement flooring stands out as a modern and reliable solution, offering durability, high-temperature resistance, and ease of maintenance. Coupled with epoxy coving, it provides a comprehensive approach to preventing contamination and ensuring food safety in commercial kitchens and food processing areas.