A new distribution centre covering 1,000,000 square feet, equivalent to 14 football pitches, has been built in Scotland for one of the worlds largest online retailers. With the floors to be subjected to footfall and forklift movements 24 hours a day, a proven and hard wearing flooring system was required. Offering market leading durability, the Sikafloor-2 SynTop from Sika fitted the bill perfectly.
Main contractor Winvic was appointed to complete delivery of the new-build single storey warehouse during a 42 week construction programme. To complete the comprehensive 80,000m2 flooring application, the company turned to specialists in the design and construction of industrial floors, ABS Brymar.
Appointed to install a hard-wearing and attractive flooring system, ABS Brymar wanted a system proven to deliver on both fronts. The company turned to the reliability, durability and high performance of the Sikafloor-2 SynTop system from global building product manufacturer, Sika.
Sikafloor-2 SynTop is a one part, pre-blended, coloured synthetic dry shake hardener for concrete comprising of cement, hard aggregates, compatible admixtures and pigment. It provides a hard wearing, non-metallic dry shake topping for monolithic floors.
When sprinkled and trowelled into fresh wet concrete floors, it forms a durable and smooth surface ideal for warehouses, distribution centres, factories, manufacturing plants and aircraft hangars, as well as many more commercial and industrial facilities of all sizes. The system was applied in its natural colouring of concrete grey. The system is available in other colours to provide a more decorative finish as required
In addition to the internal floor finish, a Sika concrete admixture was also chosen, incorporated into the concrete mixes for the external and internal floor slabs both subject to high traffic loads. SikaPlast 15RM, a liquid admixture that is used as a mid-range water reducer and plasticiser, was added to the mix to increase the workability of the concrete whilst at the same time increasing durability and strength. It proved to be a cost efficient solution and meets the requirements of BS EN934-2 HRWRA/Superplasticiser.
To complete the flooring application, ABS Brymar applied the Sikafloor Proseal one-coat concrete curing membrane. A clear acrylic resin polymer solution, Sikafloor ProSeal impregnates the concrete surface in a single application to cure, harden and seal freshly-applied or hardened concrete. Fully cured within 24 hours at 20°C, it minimises downtime and ensures the floor is fully trafficable within days.
Now complete and fully functional, the distribution centre was officially opened in November 2011 in time for the busy Christmas trading period. Thanks to the proven performance of the Sikafloor-2 SynTop system and SikaPlast 15RM, the floors will be prepared to withstand busy warehouse activity for many more years to come.