Because of the need for durability, most warehouse facilities opt for concrete floors. While concrete is hard wearing, it’s not entirely invincible. Warehouse operations typically accommodate flooring effects beyond what most people would call normal wear and tear -- even to concrete floors -- especially when machinery and equipment come into play.
When it comes to machinery and equipment, there are a handful of factors that can affect your warehouse floors.
• Pressure
• Traffic patterns
• Storage
• Temperature
• Moisture
Here, we explore the above ways the machinery and equipment in your facility can impact your warehouse floors.
1. Weight
The weight of equipment and machines is the most significant factor when it comes to how your machinery and equipment can affect warehouse floors. If you're planning on moving heavy machinery around in your warehouse, you'll need to make sure that you have a solid floor that can handle the weight.
The most common machinery we see in warehouses are forklifts and pallet trucks. If you use these types of equipment, be aware of the potential impact on your warehouse floor.
Forklifts are designed to carry loads up to five tons, which equals approximately 11,000 pounds. This means that the weight of a loaded forklift can exceed the capacity of some flooring materials like wood planks or concrete slabs. Pallet trucks are designed for use with loads up to one ton, equal to 2,000 pounds.
If you're looking for a more durable flooring option for your warehouse, consider rubberized mats or tiles. These are often used with concrete flooring in industrial spaces because they can handle heavy loads, are easy to clean, and protect against damage underneath.
2. Traffic Patterns
The traffic patterns in your warehouse can also affect the condition of your floors. If you have high traffic areas, like entryways or loading docks, your floors will be more susceptible to damage from wear and tear as well as from spills that occur during loading and unloading operations.
It's important to ensure that your cargo is properly secured and loaded so it doesn't shift or fall during transit or while in storage, which is a hazard to staff, and can cause damage to floors. Furthermore, when you coat your warehouse floors, be sure that you use a formula designed for high-traffic use, especially in areas where machine and traffic is highest.
3. Storage
Equipment and machines stored in your warehouse can have a huge impact on the condition of your floors and can cause damage when placed and stacked incorrectly. On one hand, heavy machinery can put excessive stress on the floor. This problem is compounded by the fact that your heavy items will likely be stored close to the ground, where there tends to be more moisture and dirt.
Keep cargo and other items stored off the floors when possible, and make sure your heaviest items are at the bottom of any piles or shelves, with the lighter items on top.
4. Temperature
If you have any machinery with exposed moving parts such as conveyors or forklifts, they will likely generate heat when they are used repeatedly over a period of time. The heat generated by these machines will presumably be transferred onto the flooring below. Heat is one of the most problems that can cause damage to your warehouse floors most quickly. Overheating equipment and machines can cause floors to expand and contract, warp, buckle, crack, or even cause coatings to melt.
Heat also causes chemical reactions within wood which causes it to deteriorate over time if left untreated so make sure your staff are aware of any potential hazards that could arise from overheating elements being stored too close to wooden pallets or other wooden features within your warehouse space.
5. Moisture
Remember that moisture under and around stored and operational machines can cause your flooring to deteriorate quickly. So, make sure that you're protecting your floors from moisture as much as possible by using appropriate materials and proper installation methods.
Next, use a dehumidifier or air conditioning system that emits hot air. This will keep moisture from forming on the floor, which will help prevent rusting, rotting and other damage to your equipment.
Then, keep humidity levels at around 50% or less. This will also help prevent rusting and rotting on your warehouse floors.
Finally, make sure there's enough ventilation in your warehouse so that moisture doesn't get trapped inside the building or around machines and equipment.
Want to ensure that your concrete floors are protected with the proper coating for your operations, reach out today for a free consultation.