Creating Heavy Plant Storage Flooring for The Forestry Commission

Following a successful project to specify and install heavy plant storage flooring at a unit owned by the Forestry Commission early last year, in October the UltraSyntec team was requested to specify and carry out a similar installation at another unit strategically located just an hour away from the first.

These units are used to store the plant and equipment used by the Forestry Commission in their day-to-day work around conservation and biodiversity, protecting and enhancing the woodland and countryside they manage.

The Forestry Commission were keen to have the unit refurbished and up and running as quickly as possible, so in December UltraSyntec mobilised and headed off to Scotland to carry out the work required.

Comprehensive floor preparation and repair works

Floor preparation is a vital part of any successful resin flooring installation. The UltraSyntec team began work immediately on the 330m² area, using a Delta 2 (415v) diamond grinder to mechanically prepare the existing rough concrete substrate. This was attached to a CFM137 industrial vacuum to ensure minimal dusting.

Once the work was complete, the necessary localised floor and joint repairs were carried out using a two-part epoxy filler to create the perfect foundation for the new floor. The flooring specification was designed to provide optimum protection and performance in an area subject to movement and storage of heavy plant and equipment, requiring resilience and longevity.

Applying industry-leading flooring materials

The team began by roller applying two coats of KDR Resin Systems’ EpoCoat HB, a high-build epoxy coating formulated to provide both chemical and abrasion resistance as well as excellent decorative properties, creating a coloured gloss finish. The area was left to cure overnight between the application of each coat to ensure optimum performance.

Once the main area was completed and cured, the UltraSyntec team masked out walkways designed to allow the safe passage of pedestrians around the plant. These individual areas were treated with a single coat roller application of EpoCoat HB in a contrasting colour to create maximum visual effect. In addition, UltraSyntec applied a scattering of Chelford30 silica sand to create a lightly textured, slip-resistant finish for optimum safety.

The walkways were then allowed to cure for 48 hours before traffic was brought back into the refurbished unit.

High quality, on time and to budget

The entire project was completed during a three-day window and a very cold spell of Scottish weather. The Forestry Commission was pleased with the quality of the work and service provided by UltraSyntec, carrying out the works on time, on budget and to the highest standards. The UltraSyntec team looks forward to working with this conservation organisation again in the future.