As bustling hubs that play host to millions of passengers each year, alongside the handling of countless bags and the comings and goings of luggage trolleys and service equipment, modern airports need a flooring system that stands up to the multitier demands of a complex and high traffic facility. In this article, we explain four key features to look for in an airport flooring system, and why resin flooring fits the bill each time.
1. Easy Wayfinding Integration
Modern airports are sprawling and often complex areas that require clear navigation for staff, passengers, and stakeholders. It is beneficial, therefore, for wayfinding and informative elements to be integrated directly into the surface itself. This reduces maintenance requirements, lowers your dependence on complex signage installations, and can improve the flow of foot traffic around busy areas of the airport.
A resin flooring solution can be personalised with a variety of colours, patterns, and even embedded graphics and messages to deliver clear visual cues to your stakeholders. This can help passengers quickly identify key areas, including immigration, check-in, security, boarding gates, and retail zones, reducing confusion and congestion at peak travel times.
2. Chemical Resistance For Maintenance And Cleaning
Why is chemical resistance important in an airport flooring system? It’s because airport floors are regularly exposed to cleaning chemicals during routine hygiene and maintenance, as well as – in certain areas such as airport hangars and loading bays – corrosive fuel spills and de-icing fluids. Over time, these chemicals can degrade the surface integrity and visual quality of a flooring system, reducing its longevity and durability. Epoxy resin and polyurethane flooring systems are both highly resistant to the chemicals used in modern airports, making them ideal for baggage handling areas, maintenance zones, toilets, restaurants, and other areas that need regular hygiene and are prone to spillages. This inbuilt resistance helps your flooring to maintain its structure and appearance for longer, delivering a stronger return on investment.
3. Tough Enough To Withstand Heavy Equipment And Impacts
It’s almost cliché to say that an airport flooring system has to be capable of holding up to high volumes of foot traffic. Modern airports are among the busiest commercial spaces in the world. But beyond this, airports are not simply used by passengers – they also accommodate the regular flow of heavy equipment such as baggage carts, cleaning machines, and maintenance vehicles of all kinds. A flooring system must be capable of withstanding these impacts without denting or cracking. Investing in an impact-resistant flooring will also reduce the risk of damage from dropped luggage, and help the flooring to remain intact and safe to use for many years.
Resin flooring gives airports excellent impact resistance due to its tough and porous surface, but also its flexible nature. This allows the flooring surface to imperceptibly flex under the impact of wheeled vehicles and impacts, dissipating kinetic energy and reducing the risk of surface damage – while also reducing wear and tear on the vehicles themselves.
4. Noise Reduction For A Comfortable Environment
With busyness comes unavoidable noisiness, making airport terminals extremely loud places at times. Constant announcements, background conversations, the rolling of luggage, and aircraft rumbling in the background all contribute to a potentially stressful environment for staff and passengers. A flooring system that helps to dampen excess noise can significantly improve the ambience in the airport, as well as preventing echoing sounds adding to the chaos. Noise reduction is especially important in quiet zones such as childcare areas, relaxation spaces, hotels, and lounges, helping contribute to a more comfortable and less overstimulating atmosphere for passengers. Resin flooring and epoxy coated flooring are both excellent choices for absorbing excess sound and fostering a more tranquil environment, while also maintaining a durable and stylish appearance in all spaces of the airport.
Next Steps
Resin flooring is the ideal solution for modern airports, providing a balance of durability, value, and aesthetic appearance suitable to high traffic, heavy use spaces. To find out more or to discuss your options, please get in touch with one of our resin flooring specialists today by calling 01332 215310 , or send us a message by clicking here.
Image source: Canva
