May 2018

Hygiene in wet environments

No one wants to wash or change in a dirty environment, but what about the contamination that’s not obvious?

If safety flooring isn’t cleaned properly, a hazardous level of dirt and contaminant build-up can accumulate on the surface, potentially increasing the risk of a slip to as high as one in twenty. In a wet environment, the effects of a slip or fall could be devastating.

A build-up of bacteria on floors or walls can lead to mould growth, the effects of which range from exacerbating allergies to respiratory problems. Older people and children, as well as those with existing health issues, can be particularly affected by this.

Altro Aquarius and Altro Pisces contain Altro Easyclean technology which requires a less stringent cleaning regime.

The lack of studs on Altro Aquarius and Altro Pisces also makes them easier to clean as there is nowhere for limescale to build up.

Altro Whiterock hygienic wall sheets have a stain-resistant, wipe-clean surface that is watertight and impervious even when installed over tiles. As it’s a fully-bonded system with fully sealed edges, abutments and jointing systems, not only are liquids unable to penetrate but there is nowhere for bacteria to go. This means it can be cleaned easily and effectively.

The perfect partnership

Altro Whitrock Satins has been designed to fit together perfectly with Altro Aquarius or Altro Pisces, forming a sealed, watertight system for enhanced safety and hygiene. This integrated system includes welded jointing, coveability and compatibility with drainage. This means: installation is easier, there is no need to worry about joined surfaces ‘parting company’ and the system will require less maintenance.

The integrated system

Totally sealed, hygienic system
Impervious, non-absorbent and washable
Withstands extremes of hot and cold temperatures (+60°C to -30°C)
Coved junctions between wall sheets and flooring create an impermeable seal, which is easier to keep clean
Sound investment – designed to maintain performance and retain appearance for up to 20 years

Posted: 03/05/2018 08:00:00 by Heather Mussett | with 0 comments

Altro assists Alstom in Good Shepherd Charity refurbishment

When global rail infrastructure giants Alstom volunteered to refurbish the kitchen at the Good Shepherd Ministry as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative, Altro were keen to help in any way we could.

The Good Shepherd Ministry, a charity based in Wolverhampton, assists the homeless and others in need by providing basic necessities including hot meals. The Good Shepherd Ministry are based in the Darlington Street Methodist church, a listed building which was in need of some refurbishment. Knowing this, the Alstom Midlands team offered to refit the kitchen using their volunteer days.

Altro donated 40m² of Altro Stronghold 30 in Monsoon, including weld rods, for the project.

Taking up the old kitchen floors, consisting of ceramic tile and old, wet-through parquet wood
Sealing the concrete subfloor and boarding with plywood
Fitting Altro Stronghold 30
Preparing and repainting all painted surfaces
Preparing and repainting the corridor leading to the kitchen

The project has been completed to a great standard and Altro are proud to have worked with Alstom to aid such a worthy cause.

Posted: 17/05/2018 08:00:00 by Heather Mussett | with 0 comments

Digress-in to Resin

Our technical guru Roger Moore gives an introduction to resin flooring systems.

Altro resins are a versatile flooring system. They have a lot of advantages when the right option is chosen for the right area. In this edition I am going to cover when to consider a resin floor, and some dos and don’ts when it comes to installation.

What makes a resin floor different is that it’s applied in a liquid form which then cures to produce the final synthetic resin finish. Resin floors can withstand high temperatures, chemicals, impact, heavy abrasion and high point-loading. This makes them an ideal choice for areas within industry and healthcare, and it’s a particular favourite for food preparation.

There are many types of resin floors so they can be tailored to suit the installation. A wise person at Altro said that choosing the right resin product is like making a cake. You choose the ‘ingredients’ you need to make the final product you want, for example, level of impact resistance, thickness and guarantee length.

We categorise resins using the same terminology as FeRFA (The Federation of Resin Formulators and Applicators) which keeps it simple. To make the selection process even easier we’ve introduced a brochure dedicated to all things resin which you can find on our website.

Check the conditions and take action if necessary

As with any installation, there may be issues onsite. These could cause problems that affect the floor and it’s a lot harder to put right than a traditional vinyl floor, so make sure the conditions are assessed, and contact us with any problems. Common problems faced are a porous or damp substrate, or poor curing conditions.

If conditions aren’t right, the chosen resin system may not fully bond to the substrate. This can result in the floor peeling up, which could cause problems generally but particularly in areas where water is present.

Surface preparation; it’s vital

Resins form a strong permanent bond to the concrete substrate; they are designed to last for years, which is one reason correct installation is so important. The bond means that taking up a badly prepared or poorly installed resin floor is not easy so it’s better all round to take the right steps at the off.

Get the mixing right

I can’t stress enough how important it is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when it comes to mixing the different components of a resin floor. To make sure the floor lays and cures correctly, a chemical reaction needs to take place; this will only happen with the right amount of mixing. It’s very straightforward so don’t be put off! A data sheet offering guidance on mixers can be found on our website, but please pick up the phone and contact us if you have any questions about this.

We also run a resins training school covering a full introduction to this type of flooring. I strongly recommend doing this to gain a full understanding of resins systems. Having specialist training and being able to offer resin systems to your customers can only enhance your business.

Posted: 31/05/2018 08:00:00 by Heather Mussett | with 0 comments

Students design for wellbeing

Altro have partnered with Camberwell College of Arts, University of the Arts London, to conduct an in-curriculum project to create new floor designs to enhance wellbeing in commercial areas. Camberwell College of Arts is part of the University of the Arts London (UAL) and is Europe’s largest specialist art and design university. Camberwell attracts students from all over the world who go on to become some of the leading artists of their generation.

Third year students were invited to take part in Grounds for wellbeing as an extracurricular activity. Students were briefed on the project and were asked to consider applications, target audience and market sectors. During the project students met with project leaders to review, before submitting a final presentation. A number of Altro customers met with the students at the Altro Showroom London to see the final designs. A panel of architects worked with Altro to select the three winning designs and to advise on how to incorporate them in future ranges.

Posted: 10/05/2018 08:00:00 by Heather Mussett | with 0 comments

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