Revêtement de sol en résine

Ceiling materials in environments where hygiene is key

6/10/21

Particular attention should be paid to ceilings in order to meet the high standards of cleanliness in professional environments.As they are generally difficult to access, ceilings are not cleaned as frequently as walls. Choosing smooth and easy-to-clean materials is a real plus when it comes to ensuring a safe working environment.  

 

The ceiling: an area that deserves particular attention

As ceilings are difficult to access and clean, they age faster than walls. In agri-food environments such as catering professions (butchers, bakers, chocolatiers, caterers, fishmongers, etc.) and professional kitchens, airborne micro-particles and dust frequently accumulate on the ceiling. In damp locations where there is condensation, water droplets (containing bacteria) are formed and fall on the work surfaces, which in turn are affected by moulds and efflorescence.

Ceilings made of painted concrete tend to turn yellow or flake off over the years, with the risk of dirt falling onto the production and preparation area. If sandwich panels are used in damp environments, the paint will peel off over time, the metal will rust and this will result in health risks. In addition, the removal of sandwich-panel ceilings is quite complicated. All the technical components (ventilation motor and duct, sprinkler, lights, etc.) must be dismantled since leaving them in place entails a risk of breakage.

If your working environment requires compliance with the highest standards of hygiene, we strongly advise against renovating surfaces with paint.

Un sol en résine, c’est quoi ?

Ceiling tiles or panels?

La pose d’un sol en résine

In most cases, ceiling tiles and glued panels are generally the preferable covering solution. The possibility of gluing them makes them an interesting choice if you have a sufficiently solid and sound ceiling support or vaulted ceiling. In fact, the panels can follow the curve of the support, provided that it is dry, not brittle and as smooth as possible in order to facilitate optimum installation.

Tiles can also be installed on a metal frame in case of a suspended ceiling. They can be positioned below all the technical components (such as ventilation, insulation, etc.) and contrary to glued panels, they make it possible to easily access the technical components if installed on a suspended ceiling. All you need to do is raise and move them, as they are fastened by means of clips. They can be removed for cleaning and even washed in a professional dishwasher.

PVC ceiling panels can be installed in rooms with high ceilings (at least 6 metres) if the working environment is not subject to strong constraints. However, particular attention is to be paid to silicone joints, since these tend to darken as a result of humidity and require regular maintenance or replacement.

Un sol en résine, c’est quoi ?

In summary, if your ceiling is subject to strong technical constraints in terms of dust accumulation, humidity or condensation and if you want to hide all technical components, we advise you to install tiles on your suspended ceiling. If you have a sound ceiling support, it is better to make use of glued panels.

Complex cleaning

It is a well-known fact that the maintenance of a ceiling can be a complex and costly affair. It often requires using a scaffold or aerial work platform and dealing with one zone at a time. This is to avoid having to cover up the entire floor surface at the same time and thus having to shut down production.  

The type of cleaning and the products used will mostly depend on the working environment. In certain cases, you can use a hose, but then you run the risk of causing dirt to fall and eroding the ceiling’s integrity. In case of a suspended ceiling, the easiest option is to remove and clean the tiles individually. Some tiles can be washed in a dishwasher, which means you avoid assuming an uncomfortable position and running the risk of damaging the structure. In case of glued ceilings, water and a suitable detergent will do the trick.

Conclusion

Flexindus

If you are looking for a ceiling material to renovate or set up your professional space, we recommend using a smooth, easy-to-clean and durable solution such as the HYGI PANEL ceiling tiles and panels. Made from polyester resin and braided fibreglass with a gel coat covering, they are hard-wearing, can be easily cleaned and have very few joints. Whether for renovations or new builds, they are perfectly suited for environments subject to high standards of hygiene such as food laboratories, professional kitchens and production areas.