FMJ.CO.UK FLOORING FOCUS
OCTOBER 2019 43
JANET LOWE
HEAD OF MARKETING UK &
IRELAND, FORBO FLOORING
SYSTEMS
The flooring of a building can o en
be taken for granted, as many of us
do not realise the positive impact it
can have on the aesthetics, culture,
safety, and wayfinding of a space.
Whether you’re designing an o ice, a
healthcare environment or a school,
each application has its own individual
requirements, not only in terms of
functionality, but also when it comes
to aesthetics – and flooring can play an
important role in delivering both.
For example, in an o ice setting
it’s now more widely recognised
that o ice design can positively
improve an employee’s productivity,
communication, health and wellbeing.
This has led to areas being separated
into a variety of ‘activity settings’,
or purpose-built areas which are
then designed for specific actions,
such as impromptu meeting zones,
formal meeting spaces, kitchens and
breakout areas.
With the careful specification
of flooring, you can create a
multipurpose space that encourages
connected working. There are floor
coverings available on the market that
have been designed to work alongside
each other, to easily di erentiate
areas, yet create an integrated flooring
scheme.
Throughout walkways, breakout
areas or even tea and co ee points,
where a practical and durable product
is required, floor coverings such as
vinyl tiles can withstand the heavy
footfall and can be cleaned easily, all
while having the ability to be installed
alongside carpet tiles using the same
tackifier and without the need for
transition strips. Carpet tiles might be
preferred for adjoining working areas
or meeting rooms where a warmer,
more comfortable floor covering is
needed.
Carpet tiles are actually one of the
most e ective o ice solutions, as
the modular format lends itself to
a quicker installation time, results
in less waste, and allows o ice
plans to be easily adapted for future
requirements, to aid the ever-evolving
workspace. The design of carpet tiles
is also evolving constantly, not just
to reflect interior trends but also to
encourage e ective communication.
Collections like Forbo’s new Tessera
Nexus are conceived as a flexible tool
to help unite multipurpose spaces into
one interconnected whole.
The idea of using various floor
coverings to distinguish areas can
apply to many di erent settings,
not just o ices. In a healthcare
environment, for example, flooring
can be used to create an identity
for di erent areas and provide a
wayfinding tool, safely guiding
patients and visitors through an
unfamiliar facility with minimal stress.
One of the most e ective strategies is
by using colour; for example, each unit
within a hospital could have a distinct
theme and colour palette, which helps
users to recognise where they
are or where they should be
going.
The colour and design of floor
coverings is an important factor
for all buildings, as flooring can
contribute to the overall culture
and branding of the space.
Corporate branding can easily
be represented in a bespoke
floor covering, and there are
flooring solutions available
on the market that allow you
to have designs printed onto
them, from the recreation of a
simple logo to an elaborate and
complex pattern.
For example, in entrance
areas you can create a longlasting
impression by having a
logo or text printed or cut into
an entrance flooring system.
Digital printing processes
enable bespoke designs to be
directly printed onto a hybrid
floor covering.
Through judicious
specification of floor coverings,
you can make a positive
impact on a space, no matter
what your building is used
for. However, with flooring
technology and design
trends constantly evolving,
it’s important to liaise with
a reputable manufacturer to
ensure your flooring scheme
meets the needs of the
organisation and end users now
and in the future.
KEEP IT CLEAN
Andrew Farrell, Special Projects Sales
Manager at Makita, outlines the latest
innovations in vacuum technology
For FMs, keeping areas hygienically
clean is a key part of building
maintenance – and can increase the
lifecycle of so furnishings and carpets.
To achieve the best results, vacuums
need to o er high suction power and
the freedom to move around easily.
Many operators will relate to the
frustrations of using corded machines
– they can be restricting, as the vacuum
can only go as far as the power lead
will allow, and can pose a health and
safety risk. There is also the added cost
of cable management. It’s no surprise
that cordless machines are becoming a
popular choice.
Innovations in battery technology
have resulted in more compact battery
designs – and machines that can
perform as well as corded alternatives
(if not better). Leading manufacturers
are now favouring lithium-ion batteries
to power a wide range of vacuums.
Vacuums also benefit from the
inclusion of a brushless motor.
Brushless motors are extremely
e icient and benefit from a long-life
cycle due to the omission of brushes
– and therefore friction – within the
motor. Due to fewer moving parts,
brushless motors can also be smaller
in comparison to brushed alternatives.
As a result, machines that include
a brushless motor can be smaller
and lighter in design, making them
considerably easier to manoeuvre.