Operating theatre or pathological lab? Imaging facility or hospital ward? Emergency room or assisted living facility? Flooring is one of the most critical building elements in a healthcare facility.
Healthcare facilities face three major challenges in construction:
- Designing a functionally efficient yet cost-effective structure.
- Creating a vibrant patient and staff atmosphere.
- Ensuring the highest quality of hygiene, safety and sustainability.
At Square Foot, we are well-versed in the nuances of different types of healthcare zones and offer a variety of products that meet the high standards required. In Europe, one out of every two hospital floors are made of Tarkett's vinyl flooring.
As the sole distributor of Tarkett in India, we bring you the highest quality of vinyl flooring with a solution for every area of your healthcare facility.
Five Critical Criteria for a Healthcare Facility:
- Hygiene & Cleanliness - a top priority across all the different zones of a healthcare centre.
- Antiviral and antimicrobial - crucial to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.
- Anti-skid, anti-slip and waterproof properties - vital across all areas, particularly zones that are prone to spills.
- Antistatic, antifire and antishock properties - essential in areas with lots of machinery.
- Seamless, creaseless and waterproof surface - critical for safety and hygiene.
Each zone has unique challenges, and it is important to understand all the factors in the process before choosing your healthcare flooring material. Depending on the kind of healthcare facility, it is also necessary to keep cost, durability, and longevity in mind.
Why is Vinyl flooring the Best Option for Healthcare?
- Vinyl flooring is easy to clean, waterproof and has low particle emissions, enhancing indoor air quality. Our vinyl flooring has the lowest VOC emissions and does not need to be waxed or polished, which would expose occupants and staff to toxic chemicals & VOCs.
- It also offers acoustic comfort, and is extremely stable and comfortable underfoot, making it ideal for high-traffic areas like hospitals or clinics.
- Stains or spills can be easily wiped off, so it wears well even after years of use. Tarkett’s proprietary polymer protective layer makes it very resistant to scratches, abrasions, and stains.
- A high-quality vinyl flooring like Tarkett can save money on maintenance costs by almost 30% because it's so easy to clean and can be resealed with dry buffing.
- It also needs less water and chemicals to keep it clean, which makes it an eco-friendly solution. Vinyl flooring can withstand the toughest disinfectants such as Alcohol, Hydrogen peroxide, and bleach.
- This phthalate-free flooring does not have any heavy metals or biocides and uses up to 33% of recycled material, making it extremely environmentally sustainable. Our vinyl flooring is also LEED certified and can help your structure achieve up to 12 LEED points for LEED v4.
- A range of shades creates a pleasing and soothing ambience.
Operating Theatres:
Surgery is one of the most critical functions in a hospital, and operating theatres have very specific requirements that must be met.
Hygiene is the top priority. The flooring in an operating theatre must be able to withstand harsh cleaning products and disinfectants. If a chemical solution or alcohol spills on the floor, it should not damage the surface. It must be anti-skid and slip-proof so that it is safe to move over, as well as antimicrobial and antiviral to keep it free of germs.
Vinyl flooring is the ideal solution in an operating theatre.- The surface is smooth and extremely durable. It doesn't give way easily, but if a tear does occur, it can be spot-welded instantly, so that the operating theatre does not need to be put out of use for more than an hour or two.
- Vinyl flooring is also anti-skid and antimicrobial, making it a sanitary flooring solution for a surgical setting.
- It also has low rolling resistance, which makes it a quieter environment and less prone to wear and tear.
Imaging Centers & Laboratories:
The flooring in an imaging facility, such as an MRI or CT Scan center, needs to be extremely durable. Such floors must also be non-magnetic and made of non-ferrous material that can withstand high pressure and vibration. Imaging facilities require an antistatic floor and should be insulated to have high thermal resistance.
Laboratories, on the other hand, require flooring that has no creases or seams. There must be no cracks or gaps in the flooring where dust or dirt can gather. Laboratory floors must be waterproof and leak-proof to prevent the growth of moss or fungus and maintain sanitary conditions. They also need to be able to withstand chemical or bodily fluid spills or drips, and one should be able to wipe off any spills easily.
Vinyl flooring is a top choice for imaging centres and pathological labs. However, the floor must also be reinforced to manage electrostatic discharge effectively.
- Vinyl flooring is soft underfoot and offers better traction, making it the preferred solution for a laboratory.
- Antiviral and antimicrobial, vinyl flooring is one of the most hygienic flooring materials and is simple to keep clean.
- Static electricity can be hazardous to staff and patients. Our floors are specially designed to be conductive or dissipative, which pre-empt electric discharge due to human contact. Our vinyl flooring offers anti-static and fire-resistant flooring solutions.
Emergency Rooms and Outpatient Departments:
Emergency rooms and OPDs see frequent traffic in and out. They should be able to withstand heavy footfall as well as the constant traffic of stretchers and medical equipment. Emergency rooms are also 24x7 facilities, which means that they need to be extremely easy and quick to clean, on a frequent basis, so that they remain spotless.
Emergency rooms and OPDs see all kinds of patients, and the floors must be made of antimicrobial and antiviral materials to prevent the spread of communicable disease. It is essential that the floor of an emergency area is slip-proof, waterproof, and anti-skid to facilitate ease of movement. It is also a good idea for the floor to be creaseless and comfortable underfoot, as several people are on their feet throughout their shift.
Vinyl flooring is one of the top choices for an emergency room as it is tough and seamless.
- Vinyl flooring is a very durable substance. It does not give way even if there is heavy foot traffic or a lot of hospital equipment being moved across it.
- It can withstand heavy-duty, hospital-grade chemical disinfectants and cleaning solutions on it, without damaging the surface.
- Its low rolling resistance and smoothness create a very stable surface. It offers excellent traction underfoot, making it a very safe choice for an emergency room or OPD.
Waiting Areas, Rooms, and Wards:
Waiting areas, hospital rooms, and wards need to not only be sanitary and functional, but also pleasing and cheerful, to create an uplifting environment for the patient. This is particularly important in pediatric wards and areas that cater specifically to children. While safety and hygiene remain paramount, colours and aesthetics also need to be considered.
Vinyl flooring is an excellent choice for wards, and particularly in child-friendly areas.
- Bright hues create a cheerful ambience.
- Biophilic designs are soothing and elevate one's mood.
- Smooth, seamless surfaces make it extremely safe to move across. Waterproof and hygienic, it is a top choice for hospital rooms, waiting areas, and child-friendly zones.
Intensive Care Units (ICU):
In an ICU facility, particularly one where there are a lot of electronic devices, monitoring equipment, and oxygen tanks, anti-shock and antistatic floors with high thermal conductivity are essential.
The floor must be smooth, seamless and absolutely waterproof, with enhanced antibacterial and antiviral properties. It should also have good temperature and sound insulation and be extremely resilient under pressure. ICU floors need to be constantly cleaned with disinfectant solutions and should be able to handle tough chemical cleaners. They should also be extremely durable and not crack or give way due to wear and tear.
Roll vinyl flooring sheet is the top choice for most ICUs.
- It is extremely hygienic, and the seamless, non-porous surface prevents any kind of bacteria, mould, or dirt from collecting in the cracks. The standard thickness is a 2mm vinyl flooring sheet that is heat-welded and curved up the lower walls to prevent dirt and dust from catching in the corners.it is completely antimicrobial, creating an extremely hygienic floor that prevents the spread of any infection. In the unusual event that a tear or rip occurs, it can easily be spot-welded and mended within a very short duration.
- It is also waterproof and can withstand harsh chemicals and disinfectants, which is an essential characteristic in an ICU floor. Its antistatic and antishock properties also allow the ICU to run a series of electronic devices simultaneously. It is also a very safe surface for the storage of oxygen tanks, which is often a key requirement in an ICU.
- There are no ridges or grouting, which eliminates the possibility of anyone tripping. Its low rolling resistance allows beds, stretchers, and equipment to be rolled in and out on a frequent basis, without undue noise or discomfort.
Clinics, Old-Age Homes & Diagnostic Centers:
In facilities such as clinics, old-age homes, and diagnostic centers, the need for hygiene and anti-skid properties is very high. However, aesthetics also plays a role in such facilities, as they need to create a warm, caring ambience.
- Vinyl flooring is an excellent choice as it offers all the practical characteristics, but also comes in a wide range of colours, styles and designs, creating an inviting feeling.
- It is cost-effective and easy to install and maintain.
- Keeping it clean is a simple process. It is also an environmentally sustainable option that improves the indoor air quality of your facility.
- Our specially designed vinyl flooring for those who have poor sight, as well as specific colouring for patients are elderly or suffering from dementia.
Circularity & Sustainability:
Our vinyl flooring is specifically designed to be extremely eco-friendly. We follow stringent Cradle to Cradle principles and our materials’ credentials are certified for maintaining their health and environmental benchmarks, exceeding REACH compliance. Tarkett vinyl flooring also uses almost 33% recycled material, enhancing the circularity factor.
Square Foot offers a vast range of Tarkett vinyl flooring, making it one of India's premier vendors for healthcare and hospital-grade flooring. We understand the safety and hygiene standards and benchmark our products to meet those requirements. Square Foot is the preferred flooring partner for India's premier hospitals and medical facilities, including Manipal Hospitals, FORTIS, Apollo Hospitals, Max Healthcare, Columbia Asia Heart Institute, KIMS, and BMH, among others, across the country.
One of the key advantages we offer is a wide range of products at different price points, in an array of colours and characteristics to make our flooring the top choice for a healthcare facility. The Square Foot team of flooring experts is well-versed and can advise you on the most suitable flooring solution based on your practical requirements, location, installation requirements, and budget.
At Square Foot, we believe that a well-laid floor puts you on a firm footing towards a healthier lifestyle. Reach out today to get started!
