Choosing the right flooring for commercial kitchens is critical to ensuring safety, hygiene, and long-term durability. These high-traffic environments are exposed to constant moisture, extreme temperature fluctuations, heavy equipment, and corrosive substances like hot oils, animal fats, acids, and industrial-grade cleaning chemicals. To meet these challenges, flooring systems must be compliant with food safety regulations, and easy to maintain.
Epoxy flooring is perfectly suited to meet these requirements while ensuring compliance with food safety regulations.
Why Flooring Matters in Commercial Kitchens
Commercial kitchen flooring plays a vital role in:
- Preventing slips and falls in wet or greasy conditions
- Maintaining hygiene standards set out by health and food safety authorities
- Resisting chemical and thermal damage from daily operations
- Supporting heavy loads from kitchen equipment and foot traffic
Poor flooring choices can lead to safety hazards, contamination risks, and costly repairs. That’s why specifying a high-performance flooring system is essential.
Key Considerations for Food-Grade Kitchen Flooring
When specifying flooring for commercial kitchens, it’s important to consider the following:
Compliance with Food Safety Regulations
Ensure the flooring system meets industry and national OHS guidelines, including slip resistance and hygiene standards. APC’s Commercial Coating Solutions deliver hard wearing, low maintenance flooring systems that perform under pressure.
Anti-Microbial Properties
Floors should inhibit the growth of bacteria, mould, and mildew to maintain a sanitary environment. An example of this is the EPO100T® Plain Coat System which is long-lasting, hard-wearing, easy to clean, and most importantly, seamless.
Chemical and Thermal Resistance
The flooring must withstand exposure to:
- Animal fats and oils
- Acidic substances
- Harsh cleaning agents
- Thermal cycling between hot cooking zones and cold storage areas
Seamless Installation
Seamless floors reduce grout lines and joints where bacteria can accumulate, making cleaning easier and more effective. APC’s Commercial Coating Solutions have become a desirable flooring alternative to tiles with an array of colour choices available, as well as semi-textured and slip-resistant surfaces with hygienic seamless finishes.
Recommended Solution: ChemiCoat® Matrix System
For superior performance in commercial kitchens, we recommend the ChemiCoat® Matrix System, combined with an anti-slip additive like Silica Sand or Quartz, along with epoxy mortar floor to wall cove.
- EPO100CC ChemiCoat® Epoxy Coating offers exceptional impact and chemical resistance, protecting against spills, fumes, and corrosive substances.
- Slip-resistant aggregates in the Matrix System help achieve a P5 slip rating, crucial for safety in high traffic areas.
- The 2-4mm ChemiCoat® Matrix System adds strength supported by increased MPA (megapascal) ratings for load-bearing capacity.
- Epoxy Mortar Floor to Wall Coving using EPO-HI® GP Clear Epoxy creates a seamless, grout free transition, simplifying cleaning and maintaining hygiene.
Specialty Hardener Options for Aggressive Environments
In areas exposed to aggressive chemicals or extreme conditions, the EPO100HCR High Chemical Resistant Epoxy Hardener enhances the floor's resistance to corrosive substances. This speciality hardener is ideal for dishwashing areas, food processing zones, and chemical storage rooms.
By incorporating EPO100HCR, you extend the life of your flooring and reduce maintenance costs.
Redefining the Coatings Industry
All APC products are manufactured and labelled in-house at our Queensland facility, ensuring consistent quality. By specifying APC systems, you work directly with the manufacturer from concept to completion, giving you peace of mind and reliable results every time.
Why Choose APC:
- Australian Made products
- Direct manufacturer support
- Tried & tested solutions for commercial kitchens
- Proven compliance with food safety standards
Do You Have a Commercial Kitchen Project Coming Up?
Specifying the right flooring for commercial kitchens is more than a design choice - it’s a safety and compliance necessity. The ChemiCoat® Matrix System offers a comprehensive solution that meets the rigorous demands of food service environments while ensuring long-term durability and hygiene.
Do you have a commercial kitchen flooring project coming up? Contact APC to discuss the ChemiCoat® Matrix System and get expert guidance on the best solutions for your project.
Specifying Flooring for Commercial Kitchens: Safety, Hygiene, and Performance