While aesthetics is more important than function in certain industries, this is not the case in the food and beverage industry. Breweries are bound by rules and regulations, not just with operations but in how they are set up. To function legally, everything from the procedure they employ to make their products to the sort of floor system they have installed must match legal regulations. Brewery flooring must meet a number of requirements:
- A brewery’s floor must be composed of a non-porous material with no cracks or gaps for sanitary reasons. Antimicrobial characteristics are also required in the flooring system. This is to help prevent germs and other dangerous organisms from accumulating and growing.
- The floor coating must also be resistant to moisture and chemicals in order to avoid premature deterioration due to repeated exposure. When a floor degrades too quickly, it becomes not just dangerous, but also more prone to germ growth.
- It is critical for breweries to have a coating system that performs well in both wet and dry circumstances. Because of the nature of the industry, the floor will most likely be exposed to a lot of wetness, and it must be able to endure such conditions on a regular basis.
- A brewery’s floors must also be skid resistant. This is a safety precaution because a non-skid resistant floor might cause serious injury to brewery staff and visitors. Because of the need for businesses to “go green” in their facilities, flooring should be environmentally friendly as well.
Why is it so vital to cover concrete slabs?
Breweries, wineries, and distilleries generally use unsealed concrete slabs as the base for their flooring. In addition to failing to fulfil HACCP compliance, if the concrete is not sealed, it will be damaged by high loads and foot traffic, eventually generating unattractive abrasions and pitting, perhaps resulting in an uneven and dangerous surface. Furthermore, unsealed concrete wears over time, releasing harmful “concrete dust” into the air. If inhaled by sensitive employees, this can be dangerous, and it can also contaminate the product.
Spills are unavoidable in a facility that produces beer, wine, or alcoholic spirits, and the porous surface of untreated concrete absorbs liquids quickly, resulting in unsightly stains and potential sanitation issues, as the inability to thoroughly clean up spills can lead to bacteria or mould growth. Sealing the concrete with an MMA resin system can help eliminate concrete dust, improve the floor’s durability, and create a nonporous surface that is easy to maintain and can withstand power washing and other cleaning methods used in brewing and bottling areas.
Front of house flooring
Aesthetics are a major priority in settings where visitors congregate. The flooring system you select might have an impact on your company’s and label’s overall recognition. Is your company known for using natural products and emphasizing warmth and comfort? If that’s the case, earthy tones that mimic the look of hardwood in a low-maintenance, long-lasting polyaspartic floor coating could be the solution. Metallic floor coverings can be utilized to mimic polished or stained concrete and provide significantly higher durability and performance. Brand messaging can be further enhanced by embedding a company logo into the floor. And, with resin flooring, slip resistance may be tailored to your specific demands. Whatever colour and texture options you select, a clean, safe flooring free of unevenness, scratches, and stains is critical to making a good first impression.
Flooring solutions for breweries
One of the most important considerations for flooring in food and beverage manufacturing environments is that it be monolithic, with no grout lines or other spaces where moisture and debris might collect. The extremely seamless surface of resin flooring systems ensures optimal cleanliness and aids in the fight against bacteria growth. If germs and other infections are allowed to thrive, the factory might face fines and possibly be compelled to stop producing. Having the correct flooring system in place can go a long way toward avoiding these problems.
It’s clear that hygiene is a key feature of the beverage processing industry, which includes breweries. These processes necessitate the use of specialized floor coatings to ensure the safety and protection of surfaces from the spread of harmful bacteria. Robex offers antibacterial and non-slip systems that are suitable for breweries. Here are 2 flooring systems that breweries should consider for a long-lasting flooring solution:
RX Foodsafe – RX Foodsafe is the ultimate fast-curing MMA resin solution that fits the operating needs of breweries in terms of cleanliness, safety, and sanitary conditions. RX Foodsafe cures in 60minutes which means there is very limited downtime and operations don’t need to come to a halt for long periods of time. This food-safe flooring solution delivers a completely seamless hygienic flooring solution by combining the strength of exceptional inter-coat adhesion with chemical, wear, and slip resistance.
RX Floorguard Hi-Build – This is a solvent-free resin system that is easily applied by brush or roller and when cured forms a hard-wearing protective barrier that is approximately five times thicker than a normal floor coating. Robex Floorguard Hi-Build is a solvent-free epoxy resin with a very low odour. This system is the ultimate floor coating and can be applied at 200-1000 microns. Unlike concrete surfaces that dust when worn, Robex Floorguard Hi-Build creates an impervious, hard-wearing finish that lasts and lasts.
Depending on your brewery’s needs, you’ll find that RX Foodsafe and RX Floorguard Hi-Build tend to tick all the boxes that you require from your flooring while ensuring your establishment follows HACCP regulations.
