chemical resistant flooring pros and consDepending on your industry, many businesses require chemical resistant flooring. From manufacturing plants with caustic substances, or needing to maintain FDA and government compliance regulations, chemical-resistant flooring offers the protection companies need to withstand corrosive elements. Most chemical-resistant commercial and industrial solutions are epoxy-based floors.  In this niche industry, an experienced coatings contractor will assess your space and how it is to be used and create custom epoxy mixes which are resistant to the specific chemicals it will be exposed to. Prior to installation, you should, however, be aware of chemical resistant flooring pros and cons.

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Epoxy Corridors. Springfield Hospital. Springfield, VT

Epoxy, Springfield Hospital Corridors, Springfield, VT

One of the biggest challenges in designing a hospital is the vast array of spaces which need to be created, maintained, and often prevented from contaminating other areas of the facility. The different areas of a hospital require vastly different solutions based on how each individual space will be used.

Flooring is a key element that needs to be addressed from a hospital or medical center’s initial design or renovation project. Whether patient rooms, common areas, surgical centers, storage/receiving space, the IT center, or mixed use spaces, virtually every individual area may require different flooring solutions.

Black Bear Coatings & Concrete has extensive experience value-engineering floors for the medical and sciences industries. Our experts are trained and well equipped to handle even the most unique challenges, and adhere to stringent compliance requirements.

Engineering the Right Floors within a Medical Center

Plenty of Hospital Flooring Options

Black Bear’s unique methodology is far from a “one size fits all” approach. We offer a wide range of coatings and sealants which can be engineered per room or section of the hospital. We specialize in formulating products that can withstand harsh environmental impact and reduce the risk of contamination. Depending on your specific needs, Black Bear teams work with you to propose the right solution based on how the space will be utilized.

Hygienic, Low Maintenance Flooring

Our resinous coatings are perfect for areas where sanitization is a priority. They create a single unified surface which is easily maintained, and minimizes the risk of liquid absorption and hazardous materials that can contaminate a space. From bacterial growth to tainted air quality, commercial flooring for hospitals needs to be treated to resist a number of volatile chemicals and biohazardous waste.

Vapor Mitigation

One of the biggest threats to concrete-based floors is the possibility of moisture traveling upwards through the concrete. This can cause cracking, chipping and deformation posing risk in a hospital or clinical environment. Black Bear assesses each area to determine factors that could compromise the integrity of the commercial floor system. To avoid excess moisture, it may be necessary to install a vapor mitigation system to protect the concrete base and provide a longer-lasting, more durable flooring product.

Full Legal Compliance

Prior to working at a jobsite, Black Bear crews make sure that they fully understand the regulations set forth for a medical space. That could mean taking extra precautions to eliminate the threat of bio-contamination in clean room areas or testing labs, to ensuring that external work and common areas meet OSHA compliance. The solutions that are offered and the installation process that is defined, is meant to uphold all safety and security regulations, and meet state and federal compliance codes.

With a multitude of areas integrated into a medical center’s campus, it’s impossible to suggest that a single flooring solution will suffice for the entire facility. Some coatings may be preferred and more widely used for their range of durability, though it’s more likely than not that multiple flooring products are needed to get the job done.

For more information about commercial flooring for hospital areas including patient rooms, exam and OR spaces, labs, storage, commercial kitchens and administrative offices, call Black Bear. Learn how we’ve partnered with similar facilities to provide high-quality, longer-lasting flooring systems.


Black Bear will work directly with you or your general contractor to develop a longer-lasting product that saves money and withstands the environmental elements in the Northeast. Whether it’s new construction to enhance the look and feel of your property, or a restoration project that ensures the safety of your patrons, trust the professionals at Black Bear Coatings & Concrete to make sure you get the exact concrete foundation and restoration services that you want and need.

With over 25 years of experience, our crews have the skills required to create a production floor that meets each client’s unique maintenance and aesthetic needs. Call Black Bear to learn how we provide longer-lasting, more effective solutions for manufacturing and production buildings.

Black Bear is a leading concrete and coatings flooring company that serves New England – Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Northern Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, as well as New York (north of New York City). Rest assured that we have the staff, equipment, and expertise needed to make your floor project a success. We spend time upfront to assess each client’s needs, identify the best flooring solution, engage in the right preparation, and then install the floor using industry best practices. We’d love to help your company.

Contact us today for a free estimate.

luvak2Acids, alkalis, solvents – these are just a few of the chemical compounds found in pharmaceutical manufacturing plants that are corrosive in nature and will destroy industrial flooring. Byproducts of biochemical engineering can deteriorate substrate, compromising the safety and integrity of a production environment.

The pharmaceutical manufacturing industry requires commercial flooring to adhere to strict health and sanitization codes. For this reason, it is the manufacturer’s responsibility to work with contractors and engineer appropriate chemical resistant flooring. This flooring should withstand aggressive elements and provide the durability needed to avoid safety violations and ensure the well-being of employees.

Hazardous material and waste from production sites can seep into the floor. If the commercial flooring system isn’t up to par, this can pollute clean rooms, increase the risk of biochemical contamination, cause the growth of bacteria and infectious material, and threaten environmental conditions. Chemical resistant flooring is specifically designed to endure runoff from testing areas and production sites, and resist harsh materials and destructive compounds found in these engineering plants.

BB_Pharma_300x250Rigid health codes typically dictate sanitization in these manufacturing spaces. This requires the use of industrial strength solvents that have deteriorating properties and will erode flooring. Chemical resistant solutions are easier to clean and maintain, and holds up under harsh conditions during regular wash-downs. Additional skid-resistance diminishes slips and falling hazards from slick conditions and spillage, reducing the risk of workplace injury.

When engineering the appropriate chemical resistant solution, it is important to assess the jobsite and consult with managers to understand the hazards of the environment and how it will affect the floor. Having a clear understanding of the compounds and their concentrations will ensure that the final product being delivered can withstand all of the materials and environmental impact.

Black Bear Coatings & Concrete offers a number of solutions for pharmaceutical manufacturing companies including epoxy, urethane, polished concrete and methyl methacrylate (MMA) flooring. These systems provide the technology to tolerate organic substances and biological matter found in pharmaceutical production plants. In addition, Black Bear’s chemical resistant flooring comes in an array of colors and design options that enhance the aesthetics of a working environment, and complement the look and feel of a building’s decor.

The experts will value engineer the right solution for your pharmaceutical and biotech flooring needs. We have years of experience providing chemical resistant solutions for pharmaceutical manufacturing companies. Black Bear is a leading concrete and coatings flooring company that serves New England – Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Northern Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, as well as New York (north of New York City). Rest assured that we have the staff, equipment, and expertise needed to make your floor project a success.

We spend time upfront to assess each client’s needs, identify the best flooring solution, engage in the right preparation, and then install the floor using industry best practices. We’d love to help your company. Contact us today for a free estimate.

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In the service industry, the client is always right. Except when they’re wrong.
What happens when people tell you what they want, but it’s not what they need?

While most partners select our team to help them determine the right solution, in some instances a client requests flooring that we know won’t provide optimal performance. Placating clients is not an option. Collaborating for the best possible outcome however, is our sole mission.

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Infection Control for Healthcare Facilities Starts with FlooringWhat do hazmat teams and engineered flooring systems have in common? More than you would initially believe. While most people wouldn’t think to associate a floor with the containment of infectious diseases and hazardous contaminants, in several instances it’s quite prevalent.

An important consideration that hospitals, clinics, hospice, and assisted living facilities contemplate is an industrial flooring that will protect against pathogens, bacteria and lingering microbes that can fester in small spaces and pose health risks. The safety and sanitization of a property takes center stage in the planning of a healthcare facility. The selected flooring plays a major role in the maintenance and management of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) – industry byproducts that can quickly infect and pollute a space, causing health risks and endangering all occupants.

Water resistant, seamless industrial flooring systems are ideal for infection control in healthcare facilities. A non-porous surface that won’t absorb moisture and bacteria will reduce the occurrences of mold and microorganisms. In an industry where viruses and germs could prove life threatening, choosing a material that helps eliminate harmful contaminants will protect employees and residents.

A durable surface is also needed to withstand the harsh chemicals and sanitization process that are set forth by regulatory agencies. Corrosive materials have a tendency to wear down quicker and compromise the integrity of a flooring system. A longer-lasting, resilient surface will be more effective and provide better protection than one that needs to be replaced more often.

Black Bear Coatings & Concrete preferred solutions for healthcare facilities include epoxy, urethane and MMA flooring systems. We value engineer chemical resistant floors that provide the strength and stability to endure intense cleaning, are easier to maintain, and offers a unified surface that protects against volatile organic compounds.

The safety and design of a healthcare facility starts from the ground up. Your industrial flooring solution should safeguard against hazardous materials and minimize the risk of infection by offering a barrier from the elements.

For more information on infection control and flooring, talk to Black Bear Coatings & Concrete. The experts will value engineer the right solutions that will protect your healthcare property. We would be happy to discuss what solution would best fit your needs. We have years of experience working with industry leaders in a variety of sectors. Black Bear is a leading concrete and coatings flooring company that serves New England – Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Northern Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, as well as New York (north of New York City). Rest assured that we have the staff, equipment, and expertise needed to make your floor project a success.

We spend time upfront to assess each client’s needs, identify the best flooring solution, engage in the right preparation, and then install the floor using industry best practices. We’d love to help your company. Contact us today for a free estimate.

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how epoxy flooring complements marijuana cultivation centersWhen you’re setting up a cultivation site and dispensary, you have plenty of decisions to make. But, one of the most important is right under your feet. Your choice in flooring can make a huge difference to your business, from ensuring you fall within regulations (such as they are at the moment) to making your dispensary more attractive to customers.

A popular choice in dispensary flooring is concrete coated with epoxy. This combination is standard in biomedical facilities all over the world. And, it’s a great option for your own cultivation and dispensary.

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how to create custom epoxy or polished concrete floorsWhen businesses are looking for a long-term flooring solution that is easy to maintain, and hygienic, they often look to epoxy coatings or polished concrete.  However, some businesses believe that if they go with epoxy or polished concrete, they’re going to be stuck with drab utilitarian floors. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

There are numerous ways to customize the look of your floor, to create a surface which is attractive and functional.  If you need a floor which matches your corporate color scheme and branding, or that will make a statement on its own, epoxy or polished concrete can get the job done. In this blog post, we will discuss the top ways that you can create custom epoxy or concrete floors.

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how to choose marijuana dispensary flooring in massachusettsAs new cannabis legislation takes effect, organizations are in the process of constructing or retrofitting facilities to comply with Massachusetts’ medicinal marijuana laws. This includes ensuring your facility is up to legal standards for growing, handling and dispensing medicinal marijuana. Failure to do so could put your license at risk. Your choice of flooring for the facility could have a major impact. While not (yet) heavily regulated, Massachusetts does have requirements for marijuana cultivation and dispensary flooring.

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When choosing betweencommercial flooring types of commercial flooring it’s easy to focus entirely on your immediate needs. However, that may be a mistake considering the long-term costs.  Different types of flooring require various levels of maintenance, and some will ultimately have a much higher TCO than others.  In most cases, your best choice will likely be the one that’s more affordable to maintain, yet durable and compliant. There are many factors which affect long-term maintenance costs. We have provided some of the more pertinent considerations when budgeting for future floor repairs.

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chemical resistant flooringChoosing a flooring for business is anything but a relatively simple process. More than just something customers and employees walk on, there are safety and compliance implications that go into engineering the right commercial or industrial floor. Plus, if you’re in a business that deals with caustic or otherwise dangerous and hazardous chemicals that can erode traditional floors, you’ve got to be sure the solution you’re installing will stand the test of time. Contamination will not only destroy a floor but also put employees and customers at risk. When considering a flooring solution that can withstand a chemical attack, you need to work with flooring experts with access to a wide variety of materials and coatings.  This expertise will enable you to find a safe commercial option for a chemical resistant flooring system which will fit your needs and durable enough to stand the test of time.

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