Common flooring problems in MRO facilities

Facilities involved in maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) face unique challenges in maintaining safe, high-performing, and durable flooring. Proper MRO facility flooring solutions maintain a safe environment while preventing damage to equipment.

Common issues

MRO facilities are frequently exposed to the elements, heavy traffic, dropping tools, and other wear sources that can damage the concrete substrate or flooring. Common MRO facility problems include:

Harsh weather and the elements – Facilities are often open and exposed to extreme temperatures, rain, snow, ice, dirt, and sand that can damage the substrate; exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can also affect inappropriate flooring

Slip hazards – Slippery floors can be dangerous for foot and vehicular traffic; wet flooring can result in slip-and-fall injuries or facility damage

Corrosion – Chemical spills involving many different substances; unprotected concrete substrates are porous and can soak up chemicals including aircraft fluids, solvents, jet fuel, and Skydrol; chemical exposure can quickly deteriorate the substrate, causing unevenness

Cracks and abrasion – Hangars and other MRO facilities frequently endure heavy wear through the movement of aircraft and other equipment that put pressure on the floor; dropped tools can cause cracks, divots, and abrasion

Static electricity – Can cause serious damage to sensitive, expensive avionics

Protective flooring options

For every potential flooring issue, there is a flooring solution to address it. Resinous flooring systems provide many options, protecting against common facility issues.

Impact, abrasion resistance – Thicker flooring systems can endure more wear and damage, keeping the substrate safe.

Chemical resistance – Resinous flooring offers a variety of chemical-resistant products

Slip resistance – Adequate slip resistance can prevent pedestrian and vehicular slips that may lead to injury or equipment damage; resinous flooring systems offer light to heavy textures and various grit sizes; texture can change throughout a floor coating depending on the amount of traffic – in high traffic areas, heavy texture can be applied to combat slipping; in areas with less traffic or little or no liquid spillage, a light texture can be added as a safety precaution

Static mitigation – Dissipative and conductive flooring options can prevent static from damaging sensitive, expensive equipment

UV resistance – Areas exposed to the outdoors are often vulnerable to UV rays, which can cause an unappealing yellowing; UV-resistant flooring options are key in helping maintain the original, desired aesthetic look

Moisture mitigation – Most people only think of top-down floor damage; rarely considered is bottom-up exposure or damage where moisture issues can inadvertently arise; test a concrete slab for moisture prior to installing a floor coating system to determine if excessive moisture is present, and if so, a moisture mitigation product must be applied prior to the protective floor coating system to prevent bubbles and floor coating delamination

Customizable solutions

There are many different types of resinous flooring, including epoxy and urethanes. With so many types and combinations of flooring options, facility owners should work with professionals to determine which solution will work best for their needs.

The right flooring solution will maximize the longevity of floors, prevent potential damage to equipment or injury to employees and visitors, and help minimize the need for frequent and costly repairs. With the help of professional flooring installers, MRO facility flooring can benefit from many years of protection.

Tennant Coatings

About the author: Kendall Youngworth is a senior marketing specialist with Tennant Coatings.