Flooring
require flooring products to be subjected to particularly rigorous
cleaning regimes.
Flotex FR is a unique flocked floor covering, designed to
combine the cleaning properties and durability of resilient flooring
with the comfort, slip resistance and acoustic properties usually
associated with textile flooring.
The Flotex Vision range comes in more than 500 designs and
colours and is digitally printed. Forbo offers a complete custom
identity colours.
Forbo says Flotex FR is easy to clean
thanks to its short nylon fibres. As well as
the hygiene, durability and slip resistance
benefits already noted, the company
says the product helps improve
indoor air quality. Indeed, Flotex FR is
independently approved by Allergy UK.
In terms of reaction to fire, the range
is compliant with EN 45545-2: HL2.
Cleanability research
A recent Cleaning Research
International study compared the
cleanability of a flocked-pile floor
covering with a loop-pile and
cut-pile carpet. Identically sized
samples were conditioned,
weighed and then soiled
in accordance with BS EN
1269:1997 following Method B,
upright cleaner fitted with a brush, a spray extraction and a contrarotating
brush cleaner. At each stage, when dry, the samples were
reconditioned and weighed to determine how much soil had been
removed. The flocked floor covering retained the least amount of
soil after each cycle, with a 77.7% mean of soil removed after the
use of a contra-rotating brush cleaner.
Quick drying times
How long it takes for a floor covering to dry will also be of major
concern to transport operators keen to minimise turnaround times.
The Cleaning Research International study also tested the drying
characteristics of flocked floor coverings alongside six different
carpet constructions. Each sample was subjected to two passes
using an industrial spray extraction machine and the remaining
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design service, allowing customers to match the floor precisely
to their train interior design schemes or corporate
moisture content was measured after various periods of time,
After two hours, the flocked pile sample was substantially drier
than all the other constructions of carpet, with only 0.57% moisture
remaining, and after five hours, the pile was almost completely dry.
“Flocked floor coverings are clearly different to any other
carpets in terms of cleanability alone,” says Masters. “Add in their
more rapid drying times, durability, allergy benefits, acoustic and
slip resistant properties, fantastic styling options and the availability
of an FR collection, and it’s clear to see why this innovative floor
covering is really going places in the transport sector.”
using 10g (0.35oz) of standard soil.
The samples were then reconditioned
and reweighed before being vacuumed with an
to establish how long each type took to dry.
After two hours, the flocked
pile sample was substantially
drier than all the other
constructions of carpet
RIGHT:
Flotex FR,
an electrostatically
flocked floor
covering
INSET:
Forbo’s floor
coverings are
designed to
stand up to
the durability
challenges of
the rail market
/prii