Getting the brewery style right is crucial for creating a facility that can consistently and safely produce large quantities of high-quality beer.
If the equipment or building materials are not up to par, the facility will not be able to operate effectively, and the quality of the beer coming off the conveyor belt may suffer as a result.
An important aspect of any brewery is the flooring, as it needs to provide a stable and clean surface despite exposure to harsh elements, heavy machinery, frequent cleaning, impacts, and wear.
If the flooring cannot withstand this abuse, it will fail and deteriorate, causing operational disruptions as staff navigate potential trip hazards and making the brewery susceptible to contamination that can ruin the beer.
High impact resistance
The flooring must have the mechanical strength to withstand continuous impacts from kegs, barrels, pallets, forklift trucks, and dropped equipment. It should also be able to bear the compressive load from the site’s extremely heavy machinery.
Anti-slip features
Breweries are naturally slippery areas, prone to wet surfaces and standing water. To minimize the risk of slips and trips in wet areas, the flooring needs to have an anti-slip texture that enhances traction. This can easily be achieved with resin coatings by incorporating anti-slip aggregates into the finish.
Thermal shock resistance
Excellent resistance to extreme and rapid temperature changes is also crucial, as the flooring will likely be exposed to factors like steam cleaning and heat production byproducts.
What is thermal shock?
All flooring materials expand and contract with temperature changes. When this happens at a significantly different rate than the concrete substrate, it can lead to delamination, cracking, and other damage. Thermal shock-resistant flooring and coatings expand and contract at a rate very similar to that of the underlying concrete slab, ensuring that your seamless, hygienic industrial flooring functions exactly as it should.
Hygienic properties
Floors in breweries must be food-safe to prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms. If the flooring is not easy to clean, spills can be left unaddressed and may develop into stains that permanently damage the surface. This increases the likelihood of unintentional bacteria buildup on the floor.
Chemical resistance
Yeast, alcohol, malts, enzymes, brewing sugars, and harsh cleaning chemicals can all degrade the surface over time. Areas where corrosive ingredients, acids, and alkaline chemicals are present need to have floors specifically designed to withstand prolonged exposure to the substances used in that area of the facility. It’s not just the sanitizing agents and disinfectants used to clean the floor that need to be considered, but also the cleaning agents used for equipment, which can easily spill or splash onto the floor.
To minimize the risk of slips and trips in wet areas, the flooring needs to have an anti-slip texture that enhances traction. Floors in breweries must be food-safe to prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms. If the flooring is not easy to clean, spills can be left unaddressed and may develop into stains that permanently damage the surface, increasing the likelihood of unintentional bacteria buildup. Areas where corrosive ingredients, acids, and alkaline chemicals are present need to have floors specifically designed to withstand prolonged exposure to the substances used in that area of the facility. It’s not just the sanitizing agents and disinfectants used to clean the floor that need to be considered, but also the cleaning agents used for equipment, which can easily spill or splash onto the floor.
