Correctional Facilities require coatings that perform. Cells, entry areas, command posts, recreational areas, bathrooms and showers, infirmaries, and visiting rooms should all be protected with coatings durable enough to withstand the environment. Spaces requiring strict hygiene control subject to heavy cleaning chemicals, thermal shock due to hot water and heavy usage, in particular, should be given the highest level of attention when selecting finishes. The failure of any finish in these environments can result in mold, mildew and/or bacterial growth, unsafe living conditions, or worse, the failed material being brandished as a weapon. For these reasons, correctional facilities have turned to heavy, long strand fiberglass and woven mat reinforced epoxy wall systems like Tnemec’s Stranlok for decades as a near permanent solution.
These fiberglass reinforced epoxy coatings consist of immersion grade 100% solid epoxy resin that resist impact, thermal shock, abrasion, chemicals and staining. The system is fully bonded to the parent substrate and cures harder than a bowling ball. Performance characteristics are paramount to long-term durability. This is especially true in correctional facility restrooms and showers. As mentioned, fiberglass reinforced systems come in two varieties: spray-applied and mat lay-up.
Spray-Applied Fiberglass Coatings
Spray-applied fiberglass, like Tnemec Series 270 Stranlok, were the original correctional facility shower wall and hygienically controlled space wall coatings dating back to the early 1990’s. As correctional facility designs have transitioned from larger gang showers to individual stalls, spray-applied systems have become more difficult to install effectively. These systems require high pressure spray equipment, distance from target to spray and compressed air lines to run the equipment. This creates a larger footprint for the Contractor in either a busy new construction project site or a major disruption to daily facility operations.
Mat Lay-up Fiberglass Coatings
Fiberglass mat impregnated coating systems, like Tnemec Series 273 Stranlok ML, are the next generation of coating systems specifically engineering for installations in confined spaces like single stall showers. These systems commonly consist of a 100% solid epoxy bedding coat to receive the fiberglass matting, epoxy build coatings and a chemical resistant urethane finish mainly for long-term aesthetics. The bedding coat can be applied thick enough with the fiberglass mat to bury mortar joints in CMU construction leaving a smoother, more hygienic, surface that is free of ledges that can harbor mold, mildew and bacteria.
The installation process and equipment often require a very small footprint requiring only material, mixing drills, trowels, rollers, and clean-up materials. This allows for installation with little impact on daily operations of occupied facilities and little to no disruption to other trades on a busy construction site.
In either case, these systems have extensive success withstanding the rigors of these environments. For more information or assistance in selecting the correct system for your facility contact the experts at High Performance Coatings.
Check out these resources
Exploring Fiberglass Mat Wall Systems
Where to Use Fiberglass Mat Wall Systems
Considerations for Coating Concrete Floors
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