Meeting the food safety standards of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point
Coating systems are not just a beautiful addition to a building’s floor, but an essential component to support functionality. When it comes to future-proofing your building, choosing the right material will come a long way. Coating needs to be specifically designed to tackle each building’s unique challenges. In commercial buildings, for example, the main consideration is usually the aesthetic, seamlessness and ease of maintenance; whereas in industrial buildings, the focus is more on the durability and safety.
Each variety of coating has specific properties that are best used under different circumstances. Two popular options are epoxy coating and polyurethane (PU) Screed; and the decision to choose one over the other really depends on the end goals.
EPOXY VS POLYURETHANE SCREED
Although epoxy and PU Screed are often viewed as interchangeable, they are actually different types of coating with their own distinct properties that are designed for floors with high traffic and heavy loads from equipment such as heavily-laden pallet trolleys and forklift trucks. These activities can cause damage to the surface. Floors with inappropriate coating may result in defects and unevenness, which can cause safety hazard to the workers. For instance, when operating a forklift passing through the area, any instabilities are safety hazards just like roads with potholes, which can damage cars and cause accidents. To prevent such risks, business owners, manufacturers and consultants are constantly on the lookout for protective floor coating.
Epoxy has been one of the most popular flooring choices for concrete surfaces, as it can be applied in many ways, using a range of additives and aggregates that will increase its strength and slip/abrasion resistance. However, the application is generally limited to dry, clean floors to maintain the structure and integrity of the slabs.
PU Screed, on the other hand, offers performance beyond epoxy in more challenging situations. It is particularly suitable for industrial facilities that face heavy footfall, physical impacts, extreme temperatures and corrosive chemicals on a daily basis. It has a higher cross-linked density to ensure that floors will have better strengths, durability and resilience to deal with a variety of harsh environments. A fully loaded truck alone could weigh in excess of one tonne, which puts considerable pressure through its wheels and into the floor. PU Screed provides protection from such industrial operations.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT FLOORING SOLUTION
However, the question then rises, how do we know which solution is suitable? To put it simply, the decision-making boils down to the moisture levels, humidity conditions and changes in temperature. For facilities that experience dramatic changes in air and floor temperatures as part of their normal operation, PU Screed is a clear winner. All things being equal, under a thermal shock, PU Screed floor will perform better as it has the ability to expand and contract at the same rate as the concrete substrate, which contributes to its ductile bonding.
When it comes to hygiene, health and safety, the qualities of PU Screed clearly outweigh epoxy coating. Food processing facilities that produce or work with milk, dairy and cheese, will greatly benefit from the PU Screed as it boasts unrivalled resistance to corrosion, inorganic alkalis, organic alkalis and solvents.
Speaking about the cold and thermal shock tolerance, a standard two-pack, 100 per cent solid epoxy coating has a heat resistance of only up to 65 °C, whereas PU Screed can withstand up to 140°C. In a food and beverage facility, thermal shock is high, such as when a room is steam-cleaned, hot oven doors are opened, or boiling substances spilling onto the floor. PU Screed trumps over epoxy in these situations
Within the pharmaceutical industry, regulations are even more stringent in times of health crises like in the current COVID-19 pandemic. Flooring solution must allow high level of cleaning and meet the food safety standards of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point). Sealed surface must not trap any bacteria or virus, or even dust; and floor finishes must be smooth and clean for ease of maintenance.
PU Screed is also a great solution in this case for its superior impact and chemical resistance. It can offer protection for heavy duty healthcare facilities, standing up to the most demanding conditions such as for rooms that require airlocks and negative pressure. In hospitals where severe COVID-19 cases are treated, certain treatment rooms require quality flooring to prevent viruses and bacteria from lingering on the surface to minimise transmission.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT PRODUCT
Identifying the type of coating is one matter, but the next question is: how do we choose the right product? First of all, choose a trusted brand with experienced technical and consultation teams. A good brand will also prepare a document on each standard procedure and tasks performed on the worksite to help you audit your needs and requirements. Finally, do follow your contractor’s cleaning and maintenance recommendations.
While there are plenty of products in the market, Nippon Paint has been at the forefront in spearheading its journey of innovation be introducing the Nippon Ucreed series that is specifically developed for food processing and pharmaceutical industries. The Nippon Ucreed series is a recommended choice as it has all the qualities stated above. It is a durable PU cementitious flooring solution for both food processing and pharmaceutical industry, as well as for industrial facilities such as factories and warehouses.
For over 50 years, Nippon Paint has been driving innovation in the coatings industry, backed by the latest coatings and protective technologies. Flooring innovations by Nippon Paint are widely used throughout various commercial, residential and industrial properties in Malaysia.
With solutions that cater to every need, Nippon Paint offers a wide range of solutions that includes a Green choice of water-based epoxy coatings, the popular solvent-free self-levelling epoxy floorings, and the hygienic PU cementitious flooring.
Nippon Paint Ucreed’s benefits for food processing and pharmaceutical industry:
Hygiene:
- • Meeting the food safety standards of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point)
- • Highest level of chemical resistance
- • Highest level of thermal shock resistance
- • Steam cleanable
- • Suitable for any food processing industry and pharmaceutical facilities
Durability:
- • Highest level of resistance to abrasion
- • Highest level of resistance to impacts
- • Highest level of resistance to thermal shocks (-35°C to 140°C)
- • Highest level of resistance to bacterial growth
- • Easy cleaning and maintenance
Contact Nippon Paint Malaysia for Your Flooring Solution Needs Today.
Customer Careline: 1-800-88-2663
E-mail: customercare@nipponpaint.com.my