BY KENDALL YOUNGWORTH

Few municipal facilities require as many different types of flooring as fire stations. From administrative offices and community outreach rooms to apparatus bays, equipment bunkers, sleeping areas, kitchens, and bathrooms, the demands vary greatly.

However, there are a few things all flooring systems throughout the different spaces within fire stations have in common:

• They are all high-traffic areas, whether pedestrian or vehicular.
• Because of the demand for quick responsiveness when duty calls, safety and traction are prime issues.
• Durability, longevity, and easy maintenance are critical features, especially since local citizens’ tax dollars are involved. Apart from budgetary considerations, a fire station is vital to the safety and survival of the community it serves; it cannot afford the financial burden or downtime of frequent repairs.

HOW EPOXIES AND URETHANES MEET DEMANDS

There is a wide array of epoxy and urethane floor coating products made to address specific firehouse concerns. Different finishes are also available depending on the facility’s needs, such as high-gloss and satin. By choosing from a diverse selection of epoxies and urethanes, you can create a flooring system that is ideal for meeting the range of demands in your specific fire station.

• Abrasion resistance and impact resistance are so important in apparatus bays and equipment bunkers, where floors may be subjected not only to everyday wear and tear and a high level of foot traffic but also the dropping of tools or heavy equipment.
• A virtually seamless floor minimizes the potential for cracks and helps eliminate crevices where microbes can potentially grow. Plus, by avoiding the multiple grout lines and seams found in many other flooring systems, the virtually seamless nature of fluid-applied flooring epoxy/urethane flooring helps mitigate the risk of slip and trip hazards, creating a potentially safer surface to walk—or run—on.
• By eliminating tight corners and 90-degree floor-to-wall joints, installing integral resinous flooring cove bases can further enhance the simplicity of proper cleaning and pathogen control efforts.
• The flooring is easy to maintain, with no frequent waxing, buffing, or polishing required. A wet mop between emergencies can help keep the floor clean and attractive.
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