Over 40,000 m2 of Forbo’s Marmoleum and Step safety flooring ranges, which met the project’s “strict hygiene, durability, and sustainability requirements”, have been installed in a 500-bed extension at NHS Fife’s Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy.
Specification of Forbo’s own branded linoleum range, Marmoleum; its Surestep safety flooring, and Onyx wetroom products, was agreed between interior designers BDP, Glasgow, and contractors Balfour Beatty, largely based on positive experience of Forbo’s products and project management in hospitals UK-wide. Marmoleum was specified in 10 different colours for corridors, wards, theatres, and general clinical areas. Its “natural bacteriostatic properties” were key, while its Topshield water-based finish is designed to protect the linoleum, maintain its performance, and ensure it looks good,” for years to come”. It was also essential, in high footfall corridor areas particularly, that the selected flooring system be sufficiently durable to cope with heavy use. All designs were hand cut by Macgregor Flooring of Hamilton, and installed on site, while, where increased slip resistance was required, Surestep original in grey, with a sustainable slip resistance of R10, HSE compliance, and “excellent maintenance properties and high durability”, was fitted. Onyx wall vinyl, which “provides no breeding ground for bacteria”, was used in shower rooms and bathrooms.
