Flooring Options for High Traffic Areas

Presented by:Jayson L. Helsel, P.E.

KTA-Tator, Inc.

1

Flooring Options Overview

• Moisture assessment• Surface preparation• Coating options• Slip resistance

2

Learning Objectives• Completion of this webinar will enable the

participant to: Describe two typical moisture tests for concrete floors and what the common acceptance criteria are for each List typical surface preparation methods used for concrete floors prior to coating application Identify at least three common options for coating concrete floors subjected to foot traffic Understand general slip resistance requirements and list the common minimum value necessary for coefficient of friction

3

Moisture Assessment

• Plastic sheet method: ASTM D4263• Calcium chloride test: ASTM F1869• In-Situ Relative Humidity: ASTM

F2170• Moisture meters: F2659 & F710

4

Moisture Assessment

• Plastic sheet method (ASTM D4263)Square sheet of clear

plastic film taped to the slab surface

Remains for 16-24 hours

Look for moisture development

5

Moisture Assessment• Calcium chloride test

(ASTM F1869)Determines vapor emission

rate in pounds/1000 sq ft/24 hrs

Known mass of anhydrous calcium chloride placed under sealed dome

Remains 60-72 hoursWeight increase

determines amount moisture

Typical limit = 3 lbs/1000 sq ft/24 hrs

6

Calcium Chloride Test

• Quantifies volume of water emitting from a 1000 square foot slab per 24 hours

1. Plan the test2. Prepare the test site (CSP 1-2)3. Weight cartridges; record weights4. Open cartridges5. Place cartridges, domes and seal domes6. Start testing7. End test; reweigh and calculate results

7

Calcium Chloride Test

8

Calcium Chloride Test

1. Record start and stop dates and times

2. Record pre- and post-test weights. Calculate weight gain

3. Multiply weight gain by constant (118.932), then divide by elapsed time of test

9

Moisture Assessment• In-situ Relative humidity

in slabs (ASTM F2170)Holes drilled to 40% (one

side) or 20% (two-sided) of slab thickness

Plastic inserts or probes inserted and sealed

Measure after 72 hours75% is typical maximum

(ASTM F710)Coating manufacturer

may specify maximum10

Moisture Assessment

• Moisture meters Intended for floors/slabs

(and walls) Operatesby measuring the

electrical resistance or conductivity between the tips of two insulated pins at the surface or subsurface using concrete nails

Resistance converted to a relative moisture content

Testing destructive when holes must be drilled

11

Moisture Assessment

• Moisture metersSome types non-

destructive, use electrical impedance measurement

Contacts rest on concrete surface

May also report humidityMostly used prior to

flooring application

12

Surface Preparation• Perform thorough assessment• Need sound surface• pH measurement• Specify appropriate patching

materials– Cementitious products – epoxy,

urethane– 100% acrylic products

13

Surface Preparation• Surface cleaning to remove grease,

oil, contaminants, etc.– SSPC-SP 1– ASTM D4258– Air, water cleaning, scrubbing, sweeping

or vacuuming may be acceptable

14

Surface Preparation• Blast cleaning

– Lower pressures– SSPC-SP 13– ASTM D4259

• Variations– Centrifugal wheel

blast unit, e.g. Blastrac

15

Surface Preparation• International Concrete Repair

Institute (ICRI)– Technical Guideline No. 310.2-1997

(formerly No. 03732), “Selecting and Specifying Concrete Surface Preparation for Sealers, Coatings, and Polymers Overlays”• Defines levels of preparation based on

surface profile roughness• Includes surface replica comparison panels

16

ICRI 310.2• “Concrete Surface Profile,” CSP 1 -

CSP 10– CSP 3 to 5 typically specified for floor

coatings

17

ICRI 310.2• CSP 3 – Light shotblast

18

ICRI 310.2• CSP 5 – Medium shotblast

19

ICRI 310.2• CSP 6 – Medium scarification

20

Surface Preparation• Hand/power tools

– ASTM D4259– Smaller areas– E.g. rotopeen

21

Surface Preparation• Acid etching

– ASTM D4260– Surface must be free of:

• Sealers, coatings, grease, oil, etc.

– Typical acids• Hydrochloric, sulfuric, phosphoric, citric

– Thorough removal of spent acid

22

Surface Preparation Inspection

• Uniform and clean surface• Sound concrete• Surface pH• Moisture content

23

Coating Options• Polished concrete• Epoxy• Methyl methacrylate acrylic (MMA)• Polyurea/polyaspartic• Polyurethane• Moisture cured polyurethane• Cementitious urethane

24

Polished Concrete• Densifier to increase surface density

and abrasion resistance – Penetrating alkyl silicate/siliconate

product

• Micro film forming surface treatment (sealer) optional

• Polishing/honing of floor• Color may be added• Regular cleaning required

25

Polished Concrete• Limited chemical resistance• Typical applications

– Big box stores– Grocery stores– Mall stores– Office lobbies

26

Polished Concrete

27

Epoxy Coatings• Variety of epoxy chemistries

– Polyamide, polyamine, novolac– Typically 100%/high solids

• Typical system– Epoxy primer– Epoxy base coat(s)

• Aggregate broadcast typical• Decorative broadcast possible

– Topcoat/sealer (optional)28

Epoxy Coatings• Product example

– Surface preparation: Mechanical profile (blasting) equal to 30-50 grit sandpaper

– Application by trowel/squeegee & back roll

– Primer: Epoxy at 4-8 mils DFT– Basecoat: Epoxy at 60-75 mils– Broadcast coat: Epoxy at 60-75 mils– Topcoat: Epoxy at 8-12 mils

29

Epoxy Coatings• Product example (self leveling)

– Surface preparation: Mechanical profile (blasting) equal to 30-50 grit sandpaper

– Application by trowel/squeegee & back roll

– Primer: Epoxy at 4-8 mils DFT– Topping: Epoxy, pour/spread to 250 mils– Topcoat: Epoxy at 4-8 mils

30

Epoxy Coatings• Product example (thinner film)

– Surface preparation: Mechanical profile (blasting) equal to 50-80 grit sandpaper

– Application by trowel/squeegee & back roll

– Primer: Epoxy at 5-8 mils DFT– Topcoat: Epoxy at 8-16 mils DFT

31

Epoxy Coatings

• Typical applications:– Commercial kitchens– Restaurants– Grocery/food preparation– Restrooms– Office/apartment lobbies

32

Epoxy Coatings

33

MMA Coatings• Methyl methacrylate acrylic chemistry• Typical system (125 mils total DFT)

– Moisture: 85% Max RH– Surface preparation: ICRI 310.2 CSP 5– Roller application– MMA primer– MMA basecoat with quartz broadcast– MMA topcoat (2 coats)

34

MMA Coatings• Typical applications

– Commercial kitchens– Grocery stores– Laboratories– Animal holding– Manufacturing/processing

35

MMA Coatings

36

Polyurea/Polyaspartic Coatings

• 100% solids aliphatic polyurea/ polyaspartic

• Product example– Surface preparation: Mechanical abrasion– Application by trowel/squeegee– Primer: Epoxy at 2-3 mils DFT– Basecoat: Polyurea at 8-12 mils DFT

• Vinyl chip broadcast option

– Topcoat: Polyurea clearcoat at 8-12 mils DFT

37

Polyurea/polyaspartic Coatings

• Typical applications:– Commercial kitchens– Restaurants– Grocery stores– Restrooms

38

Polyurethane Coatings• High solids aliphatic polyurethane• Product example

– Surface preparation: Mechanical abrasion/acid etch

– Application by roller– Primer: Epoxy at 2-3 mils DFT– Basecoat(s): Polyurethane at 2-4 mils

DFT, multiple coats typical

39

Moisture Cured Polyurethane Coatings

• Single component aliphatic MCU• Product example

– Surface preparation: Mechanical abrasion/acid etch

– Application by roller– Primer: MCU or Epoxy at 2-3 mils DFT– Basecoat(s): MCU at 2-4 mils DFT,

multiple coats typical40

Polyurethane/MCU Coatings

• Typical applications:– Showrooms– Cafeterias– Laboratories

41

Cementitious Urethane

• 100% solids aromatic cementitious urethane– May have broadcast aggregate

• High abrasion resistance• High chemical resistance

42

Cementitious Urethane

• Product example– Moisture: 20 lb Max CaCl2 or 99% Max

RH– Surface preparation: ICRI 310.2 CSP 4-5– Application: Trowel applied at 250 mils– Optional topcoat, with or without

aggregate broadcast

43

Cementitious Urethane

• Typical applications– Commercial kitchens– Processing areas– Pharmaceutical– Wet areas– Exterior

44

Cementitious Urethane

45

Slip Resistance

• Utilize flooring material that has acceptable slip resistance under foreseeable conditions

• Applicable regulations for required Coefficient of Friction (COF) are not always clear

46

Slip Resistance

• Typical recommendations include:– 0.5 COF by ADA and OSHA– 0.6 COF recommended for accessible

routes– 0.8 COF recommended for ramps

47

Slip Resistance• Many test methods and

corresponding equipment for measuring slip

• Testing equipment– Drag sled machines– Articulated strut machines– British pendulum– Others

48

Slip Resistance• Test methods (partial list)

– ASTM F1677, Portable Inclineable Articulated Strut Slip Tester

– ASTM F1679, Variable Incidence Tribometer– ASTM C1028M, Static Coefficient of Friction

of Ceramic Tile and Other Like Surfaces– NFSI B1010.1-2009, Test method for

Measuring Wet SCOF of Common Hard Surface Floor Materials

– ASTM F609, Horizontal Pull Slipmeter49

Summary

• Moisture assessment• Surface preparation & inspection• Coating options• Slip resistance

50