A hospital building is very much a working structure. Just think about the staff under constant working stress, the patients who don’t really want to be there, and the many paramedics, support teams, and visitors who each form part of the hive of traffic and activity!
And think about the building itself – particularly the concrete! Concrete in a hospital structure faces particular demands and needs particular care.
Hygiene and Contamination
Here’s the prime point for any healthcare facility. Many things get spilt on the floor of a hospital, and most of them are bad for the concrete floor slabs. Both cleaning chemicals and bio-fluids provide moisture-borne contamination which seeps into the porosity of the concrete.
Two things then happen:
- 1. Bacteria feed on the contaminants, setting up chronic odours which cannot be cleaned away because they are inside the concrete.
- 2. Contaminants react with the concrete itself, or with the reinforcing steel, setting up a cycle of premature deterioration.
Is it enough to treat the surface with an antibacterial coating? No. The effectiveness of these treatments lasts for only a comparatively short period of time – certainly not the intended lifespan of the slab. Furthermore, when it comes time for the floor coverings to be replaced, topical coatings will certainly be compromised and need replacement as well.
Is it possible to seal the porosity of the concrete completely, so that contaminants can’t enter in the first place? YES. Meet AQURON 2000 Medi+, the genuine hydrogel treatment offering permanent protection. Yes, that said permanent. AQURON 2000 Medi+ never needs replacement, it becomes a part of the slab itself.
Moisture Control under Floor Coverings
This is a broader issue, relating to direct stick floor coverings including vinyl and carpet tiles. Moisture levels within the concrete remain high for a surprising length of time. Combined with construction timeframe pressures, there is a real risk that floor coverings will be installed before the moisture levels are sufficiently low.
The result is bubbling, adhesive failure, or delamination.
The common response to this issue is to apply a last-minute coating to the slab, to prevent moisture rising behind the floor covering. This is usually an unbudgeted expense.
There is a better way. AQURON 2000 and AQURON 2000 Medi+ both permanently immobilise moisture within the slab. This prevents moisture migration which in turn prevents moisture vapour rising between the slab and the floor covering.
As at the middle of 2020, MARKHAM is successfully treating an average of 50,000 m2 of concrete floor slabs every month across Australasia. Put our experience and systems to use in your project!
Car Park Floors and Ceilings
Hospitals are hubs for gatherings of people, both staff and visitors, and car park structures are normally part of the complex.
Car park floor slabs need protection against
- Traffic abrasion and load
- Moisture-borne contaminants brought in via the vehicles
- Carbonation caused by vehicle fumes
AQURON 1000 comes into play in this situation. This multi-benefit treatment will seal the porosity of the concrete, with anti-dust hardening benefits.
As a bonus, AQURON 1000 does not cause tyre squeal – unlike most topical coatings!
Waterproofing
- Basements?
- Exposed car park roof decks?
- Plant and equipment decks?
For these situations, you should consider the full MARKHAM waterproofing system.
- AQURON 300 admixture for integral waterproofing within the slab.
- AQURON 2000 for surface-applied protection.
- CONQOR 47B delayed swell waterstop, for the joints and penetrations.
This holistic approach is typically less expensive, faster, and more durable than a conventional membrane.
Bonus!
AQURON concrete treatments enhance curing! If applied early, AQURON 1000, AQURON 2000, and AQURON 2000 Medi+, will all provide high-quality hydration, equal or superior to 7 days’ water curing.
Save time and money!
Involved in the design or construction of a hospital? We really need to talk!
