Floor Rejuvenation & safety upgrade for the design workshop
Project Overview
The University of Canberra’s Faculty of Arts and Design needed to address a long-standing safety and maintenance concern in Building 7’s design workshop. Years of woodworking activity had left the vinyl floor dusty and slippery, creating a potential hazard in a high-use area. The university engaged our Canberra team to deliver a fast, effective flooring upgrade that would improve safety, enhance durability, and modernise this space, without replacing the existing vinyl floor. With only a week to complete these works, timing and precision were key.
Services Delivered
Our Canberra team carried out comprehensive surface preparation. Starting with a deep clean and wet cutback of the existing vinyl flooring before applying two coats of Dr Schutz PU Sealer, including a non-slip R11 additive into the first coat to significantly reduce slip risks. This approach not only eliminated the need for previous temporary measures, such as rubber mats, but also ensured a consistent and high-quality finish, an essential outcome given the challenges of working with clear coatings, which can reveal any surface imperfections.
Challenges and Solutions
Our Canberra team approached this project with a tailored strategy
- Surface Prep: Clear coatings require exceptional preparation to avoid visible imperfections. Our strict quality checks ensured a flawless, consistent finish.
- Tight timeframes: Works had to be completed in just one week to align with scheduled removal of heavy equipment and furniture. Our team worked efficiently to meet deadlines without compromising quality.
Results and Impact
Through thorough quality control, the Higgins team delivered a uniform, professional, and an outstanding transformation at the University of Canberra.
- Improved Safety Standards: Significantly improved floor safety in a high-use, slip-prone environment.
- High-Quality Finish: Delivered a durable, aesthetically pleasing surface that meets the university’s safety standards.
- Cost-Effective Solution: Enhanced the longevity of the existing flooring, avoiding the cost and disruption of full floor replacement.
- On time delivery: Project completed on time and within scope, with minimal disruption to workshop operations.
What our client had to say
“We would like to acknowledge the professional work carried out by Higgins Coatings in applying a non-slip coating to the workshop floors in Building 7. The team demonstrated excellent preparation and attention to detail throughout the project. From the initial demonstration area to the final application, Higgins ensured minimal disruption to operations and maintained a clean and safe working environment. The non-slip coating has significantly improved floor safety, reducing the risk of slips and falls, especially in high-traffic and slip-prone areas. The finish is durable, aesthetically pleasing, and meets our safety standards. Higgins Coatings delivered the project on time and within scope, and their communication throughout was clear and proactive. We would confidently recommend Higgins Coatings for similar works in the future, and we are already planning further applications.”
– Facilities and Asset Management, University of Canberra
