Particularly in healthcare environments, it is important that a floor can withstand the impact of day to day traffic such as heavy equipment, hospital beds, wheelchairs and heavy foot traffic. Not only today or tomorrow, but also in the coming decades.
From reception areas and corridors which are subject to heavy footfall, to canteens and family waiting rooms that require a more relaxed atmosphere to areas requiring strict and effective infection control, Forbo Flooring Systems has a flooring solution for every space within healthcare facilities. Every solution. One supplier.
Flooring design ➔
✔ Welcoming and calming colours
✔ Way-finding
✔ Camouflage of dirt
Healthy interiors ➔
✔ Infection control
✔ Prevent the growth of bacteria
✔ Phthalate free
✔ Low emissions
Functional ➔
✔ Easy to clean & maintain
✔ Naturally bacteriostatic and Allergy UK approved
✔ Anti-static
✔ Durable
✔ Resistant to chemicals
✔ Hygienic
✔ Stain & scratch resistant
✔ Low cost of ownership
Would you like to see how others have used Forbo floors in healthcare buildings, then take a look at the Inspiration & References part of our website.
The interior layout of a hospital can have a significant impact on patients and visitors and is often overlooked. A poor layout can cause disorientation and confusion, which can have a negative impact on the experience in your building.
Design of walkways, differentiation of different zones and signage all affect the ability of staff, patients and visitors to navigate or orientate themselves within the facility, especially in larger hospitals.
The use of different flooring types, colours and textures, or even signs incorporated into the floor covering to denote walkways, different zones etc, can make navigation much easier for the building user.
The design and even the colour of your chosen floor covering can influence its appearance over time. For example, in a hospital with heavy footfall and little time for cleaning it is recommended to use a Marmoleum floor covering with a stronger design in softer tones. The samples on the right give some guidance on which design will camouflage the most.
Needless to say, good cleaning and maintenance is important for the durability of your floor.
In a safe indoor environment, floors are non-toxic, low emitting and compliant to all international standards.
When it comes to infection control and stopping Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs), what better place to start than from the flooring up?
The ability of Marmoleum, Forbo's linoleum brand, to inhibit the growth of bacteria stems from the natural raw materials that go into its production, specifically linseed oil. An inherent property of the product, the anti-bacterial qualities of Marmoleum won't diminish over time, giving peace of mind and constant protection from the moment it is installed.
Independent testing by the University of Glasgow has proven that Marmoleum has a unique suitability for a diverse range of environments where hygiene and control of bacteria such as MRSA or E. coli is an everyday concern.
A key role of all flooring in healthier buildings is reducing the emission level of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) in materials and adhesives.
We are constantly working on creating better indoor environments and healthier buildings by supplying floor coverings that are not only functional and comfortable but also safe and environmentally friendly.
Forbo's Marmoleum and Flotex floor coverings are awarded the Allergy UK seal of approval for good indoor air quality.
When choosing floor coverings for a healthcare facility, the type of floor, the way it looks and feels, its performance, as well as functional aspects such as durability, low maintenance and hygiene are important factors to take into account.
A clean and hygienic floor can contribute to the well-being of the patient. Especially in areas where patients with fragile health are treated or nursed, a sterile environment is vital.
When a floor is carries microorganisms such as fungi or bacteria, there is a potential risk of transferal to other areas including medical devices, clothing or staff and finally to the patient. Special precautions are to be taken to reduce microbiological contamination risks to a minimum.
One of the things to pay attention to is that the internal materials utilised may not serve as a nutrient for microorganisms. Sphera, Forbo's homogeneous viny floors, has been tested according to ISO 846 to evaluate the behaviour of the material. Two external institutes WFK and Fraunhofer IPA, show that Sphera does not contribute to the growth of bacteria and fungi.
Hospitals require a floor that can cope with heavy footfall and traffic. Our most sustainable flooring solution, Marmoleum, for example, offers scuff and scratch resistance, coupled with the possibility to repair damaged surfaces.
Ease of cleaning and maintenance can also contribute to the longevity of hospital floorings. Hard and soft surfaces have different maintenance needs. At Forbo, we are constantly working on reducing your maintenance needs and costs by further improving our products and giving you the tips and tricks that you need to make sure that your floor stays at its best.
The right floor in the right place ensures the lowest life cycle costs.
In hospital areas such as operating theatres, intensive care units and imaging diagnostic facilities, the flooring presents its own unique set of challenges. Not only does the choice of floor covering need to comply with strict hygiene standards to prevent the spread of hospital-acquired infections, but the generation of electrostatic charges can pose a serious risk to sensitive electronic equipment and devices.
There are a range of different environments within a hospital that require protection from electrostatic discharges (ESD) for the protection of patients, staff and equipment. But do you know how static discharge can be controlled? Visit our blog page by clicking on the link below and find out more about how to keep static discharges under control.
Go to the ESD in healthcare blog
Floor coverings in healthcare environments are often exposed to a wide variety of spills and potential staining coming from a wide range of chemicals.
For hygienic and aesthetic reasons, it is important that substances that are likely to end up on the floor do not damage the floor.
Both Forbo’s Marmoleum with Topshield pro finish and Forbo’s vinyl floors have a production applied UV-cured PUR coating, which protects the floor against staining.
We pride ourselves on offering a truly comprehensive product portfolio with leading-edge products specifically designed to cater for all areas, from the entrance area, through circulation and communal zones, to each individual room in the building.
Our Marmoleum floors are proven to inhibit the growth and spread of infections such as MRSA, Norovirus and C Difficile, helping to contribute to a healthier and more hygienic environment in any area of a hospital.
✔ Naturally bacteriostatic and Allergy UK approved
✔ Climate positive, without offsetting
✔ Endless possibilities in colours & designs
✔ Stain & scratch resistant with Topshield pro surface finish
✔ Easy to clean & maintain
✔ Low cost of ownership
Discover Marmoleum floor coverings
Receive a free sample so you can experience the natural look and feel of Marmoleum flooring for real. Note that the samples below are only a fraction of the available colour and design combinations available.
1. Choose a tile from the overview of colours & designs below
2. You will be forwarded to the product page
3. Click “Order a sample”
4. Fill in your details to receive the sample
Vinyl floors are very popular because of their durability, low maintenance and versatility. Homogeneous vinyl is made of one single layer that offers vibrancy and depth of colour. It is incredibly durable and stain-resistant which makes it a great flooring choice for heavy traffic areas.
Discover Sphera homogeneous vinyl floors
Our Colorex range of conductive floor coverings has a pore-free surface, ensuring the highest hygiene properties whilst complying with all ESD and cleanroom standards. It prevents electrostatic discharges that can cause malfunctions in highly sensitive medical equipment. Colorex is highly stain resistant and won’t be tarnished by the regular cleaning and disinfecting cycles that are imperative in hospital environments.
Discover Colorex static dissipative homogeneous floor coverings
Are you looking for the aesthetics of natural wood or stone floors with the advantages of strong and comfortable vinyl? Explore our Allura LVT collection. Warm underfoot, excellent dimensional stability and easy installation and maintenance.
Discover Allura luxury vinyl tiles (LVT)
A well-designed entrance flooring system will prevent dirt and moisture from being tracked in and thereby prolongs the life of interior flooring finishes, reducing cleaning and maintenance costs and the potential for slip injuries. With both textile (Coral) and rigid (Nuway) Entrance Systems in our portfolio, we can offer an entrance solution for every situation.
Discover Coral & Nuway entrance flooring solutions
Forbo Flooring Systems can offer a total flooring solution for every space in healthcare facilities. We briefly discussed the most common floors, but there is even more. On the healthcare segment page, you can find all information regarding products, trends and more.....
Visit the Healthcare segment page
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