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The Harwell Science and Innovation Campus is a multi-million-pound landmark building in Oxfordshire. So, it was a privilege for the Central Flooring team to be chosen by main contractor Mace, to install their resin flooring system.

There were certain specifics for this project. As the building was home to enormous, sensitive and big-ticket satellites, Mace wanted a seamless clean room finish and anti-static flooring system throughout at SR1 Level, to protect the people working in Campus, and the equipment. The floor had to be hardwearing, easy to clean and resistant to chemicals. It also had to be able to contain water to a depth of 100mm, and in some places 300mm, if there was ever a leak. That’s why we used Flowcrete, one of the leading brands, from primer to finish.

The total area size was approximately 3,300 square meters. The ground floor area was circa 2,300 square meters, divided across six rooms and there were multiple Plant rooms over three different levels, measuring 1,000 square meters – so it was an interesting and sizeable project.

Experienced in pump screeding

Delivering an SR1 Level base floor can only be installed by a very experienced team in pump screeding – which we are. Making sure it was flawless was critical before installing the anti-static resin topping. MACE carried out a meticulous inspection to check the floor levels to their own QIT procedure, before giving us the green light to carry on. This included the strength testing of the screed with a hammer to provide the hardness kN/m2.

Installing the anti-static flooring was also quite a challenge – especially as we had to complete it in stages. It meant that our mapping and planning of the anti-static floor had to be precise – so we made sure that we put in enough grid markings so that they would perfectly join at each level. Earth points and copper grid taps had to applied in the correct formation to ensure the static properties – all to manufacturers guidelines. We also arranged for the floor to be independently tested for anti-static properties – so Mace didn’t have to. We installed Flowshield ESD anti-static 3mm system, in a Goosewing Grey colour which really looked the part.

Overcoming challenges

Not only was this an exciting project for the team at Central Flooring, it was also one our most taxing! The timelines were tight (but we’re used to that) but three quarters of the building we were working in, were literally open to the elements – parts of the roof and some walls were exposed at the time of installing the first stage flooring! That’s because extremely large sensitive plant was being brought into the Campus through these open spaces, which was the only way to bring them in.

We work with a lot of main contractors – so this sort of thing really doesn’t faze us. At times 350 trades people were working around us across the three different levels of the building, so we were also mindful that we had to keep the momentum going so that the other trades could progress.

To make sure the project went without a hitch our Operations Director, Ben Clarke, was on site two-days a week. He was supported by our Site Supervisor, who was there each day to keep the project on track and to engage with our team of installers and Mace. On projects like this, we hold toolbox talks, brief and debrief the team. In our experience, this level of engagement and open communication makes a world of difference.

This isn’t our first project with Mace. The Central Flooring team has worked with them on several projects – so they trust us to deliver what we promise.

Mace Perspective

“Central Flooring are classed as one of our partners within the business. They’ve not only worked on our Harwell Campus project, but several others before that. The quality of their workmanship and management is excellent. What they’ve installed is a large scale SR1 resin flooring finish. It allows our client to transport satellites up to 7.5 tonne to track across the floor via air springs – that’s because there is no movement in the joints. This resin flooring system is also anti-static ESD.

We have a very good working relationship with Ben Clarke, their Operations Director and he couldn’t do enough for us. Like every project they’ve ever done, Ben has worked with us to facilitate our programme, completing it on time. As a team, Central Flooring are upfront, honest and caring. And they’re competitive on price. Yes – we could perhaps pay less, but we wouldn’t get the commitment, assurance, quality or the very good working relationship we have. They exceed the standards we expect and are a pleasure to work with. There are no other flooring contractors I’d chose for our sector”.

Luke Boxall, Senior Construction Manager, Mace Group

 

This project was shortlisted in the FeRFA 2022 Large Industrial Project of the Year Awards – (Federation of Resin Flooring Association). To talk to us about your resin flooring project, please get in touch with the team.