Location: Negombo, Sri Lanka
Client: Private Hospital & Healthcare Facility
Project Type: Hybrid Flooring – Terrazzo and Epoxy Solutions
Services Provided: Terrazzo Flooring, Industrial Epoxy Flooring, Surface Preparation, Polishing, Chemical Hardening
Project Background
The client, a leading private healthcare provider in Negombo, commissioned Thewnadee Engineering (Pvt) Ltd to provide premium flooring solutions for a newly constructed hospital. Given the critical requirements of healthcare environments, the project demanded durable, hygienic, and aesthetically pleasing flooring in both patient and operational areas.
The main objectives were:
- High durability to withstand heavy foot traffic, medical equipment, and trolleys
- Hygienic, seamless flooring for patient rooms, operation theatres, and laboratories
- Aesthetic appeal for lobbies, corridors, and waiting areas
- Low maintenance to reduce operational costs and enhance longevity
- Compliance with hospital safety and hygiene standards
The project required a hybrid flooring approach:
- Terrazzo flooring for lobbies, corridors, and public areas
- Industrial epoxy flooring for operation theatres, laboratories, and wet areas
Challenges Faced
Several challenges were identified during the initial site assessment:
- Hygiene and Infection Control
- Flooring in patient and laboratory areas needed to be seamless, dust-free, and easy to clean, minimizing bacterial growth.
- Heavy Equipment Load
- Hospital equipment such as trolleys, beds, medical machines, and carts exert high point loads. Floors needed high wear resistance.
- Complex Floor Layouts
- Corridors, staircases, and circular lobby areas required precision in terrazzo pattern installation and epoxy transitions.
- Time-Sensitive Completion
- The hospital had a strict opening schedule, necessitating fast yet precise flooring installation.
- Safety Considerations
- Floors needed anti-slip finishes in wet areas and operation theatres for staff and patient safety.
Engineering Solution
Thewnadee Engineering implemented a hybrid flooring solution, combining terrazzo and industrial epoxy systems to address the unique needs of the hospital.
Step 1: Surface Preparation
- Concrete substrates were cleaned and inspected for cracks, voids, and unevenness.
- Weak areas were repaired using high-strength patching compounds.
- Surface profiling was carried out to ensure proper adhesion of terrazzo and epoxy layers.
Step 2: Terrazzo Flooring Installation
- Terrazzo was applied in lobbies, corridors, and waiting areas to provide durability and aesthetic appeal.
- Divider strips were used for pattern definition and expansion joint control.
- Multiple layers of terrazzo mortar were applied, followed by progressive grinding and polishing.
- The polishing process exposed aggregates and created a smooth, reflective finish, enhancing lobby and corridor aesthetics.
Step 3: Industrial Epoxy Flooring Installation
- Epoxy flooring was installed in operation theatres, laboratories, and wet zones.
- The epoxy system was:
- Solvent-free and chemical resistant, suitable for cleaning agents
- Seamless and dust-free, ensuring infection control
- Resistant to heavy equipment loads and frequent foot traffic
- Anti-slip additives were incorporated in wet and critical areas to ensure safety.
Step 4: Chemical Hardening & Sealants
- Terrazzo areas received a sealant application to enhance stain resistance and gloss retention.
- Epoxy areas were chemically hardened to increase surface durability and resistance to wear.
Step 5: Quality Assurance & Safety Checks
- Floors were inspected for levelness, polish consistency, and adhesion.
- Safety checks ensured anti-slip areas were properly treated, reducing risks in wet zones.
Materials and Techniques Used
- Terrazzo Aggregates: Marble chips in white and customized colors
- Terrazzo Binder: High-strength cementitious binder with pigment for patterns
- Epoxy Flooring: Solvent-free, industrial-grade epoxy resistant to chemicals and abrasion
- Anti-Slip Additives: For safety in wet and operational areas
- Surface Profiling Tools: Mechanical grinders and polishers for terrazzo and epoxy
- Sealants & Chemical Hardeners: For durability, stain resistance, and gloss retention
Project Outcome
The hybrid flooring solution delivered high-performance floors across the hospital, meeting both operational and aesthetic requirements.
Key Achievements:
- Hygienic and Seamless Surfaces
- Epoxy floors in operation theatres and laboratories were dust-free, chemical-resistant, and easy to clean, maintaining infection control standards.
- Durable and Load-Bearing Floors
- Both terrazzo and epoxy floors were designed to withstand heavy foot traffic, medical equipment, and trolleys, ensuring long-term durability.
- Aesthetic Enhancement
- Polished terrazzo in lobbies and corridors provided a professional and welcoming environment.
- Custom patterns aligned with hospital branding and interior design.
- Safety and Anti-Slip Features
- Anti-slip additives in wet areas and operation theatres improved safety for staff and patients.
- Low Maintenance and Cost Efficiency
- Sealed terrazzo and epoxy floors reduced long-term maintenance efforts, saving operational costs.
- Timely Completion
- Project was completed within the scheduled timeline, allowing hospital commissioning without delays.
Client Feedback
The hospital management highlighted:
- The exceptional quality and hygiene compliance of epoxy floors
- Smooth, polished terrazzo lobbies and corridors enhancing the professional look
- Durability and low-maintenance performance across all floors
- Professionalism and efficiency of Thewnadee Engineering team
- Satisfaction with project completion on schedule
Conclusion
This hospital flooring project demonstrates the importance of hybrid flooring solutions in healthcare environments. By combining:
- Terrazzo flooring for aesthetic, high-traffic public areas
- Industrial epoxy flooring for hygiene-critical zones
- Chemical hardening and sealants for durability and stain resistance
- Anti-slip measures for safety
Thewnadee Engineering delivered a comprehensive flooring solution that balances durability, hygiene, aesthetics, and safety, ensuring the hospital operates efficiently and maintains the highest standards of care.
Hybrid flooring in healthcare is not only functional but essential for operational efficiency, patient safety, and long-term facility management.
