Challenge Accepted: New Flooring Installation at Wichita County Law Enforcement Center
We often don’t think of flooring being an issue for a jail, but in fact, the flooring solutions used in a jail are a big deal.
When we began consulting with Wichita County Law Enforcement Center on floor and wall systems for their new facility in Wichita Falls, TX, we began to understand the depth of issues associated with many flooring solutions on the market and why they simply aren’t cut out for install in a jail. Read on as we discuss the challenges for selecting a flooring solution in a jail and how our team at T.W. Hicks – one of the top flooring contractors in Dallas - landed on our recommended flooring and wall system by Sika.
A Challenging Environment
The #1 issue with many flooring solutions – like tile for instance - is that they can be broken up and weaponized. In a jail, this is a hazard to other inmates and security personnel and simply doesn’t pass muster. Other issues presented themselves as well, including cleaning and sanitation issues and the strict guidelines for jail facilities.
Our Selection: Sika Epoxy Flooring, Cove Base and Wall Solution
Sika is an industry leader in epoxy floors, cove base, and wall systems and we knew these products would be perfect for the job because they offer the following benefits:
Slip Resistant
Stain Resistant
Easy to Clean
Durable
First, we went in and shot blasted the floor to provide a good surface to work with and allow the epoxy to properly adhere. Next, we installed a double broadcast urethane cement slurry system throughout the 11,000 square foot facility and finished with a high-performance urethane topcoat.
Our team was also busy installing 3,200 linear square feet of epoxy cove base, made out of color quartz all the way through. Our customers usually ask for the floor and cove base to be the same color, but in this case, they wanted to branch out and install a different color floor and cove base. Creating a fantastic contrast of colors throughout the building. The cove base was also finished with a high-performance urethane topcoat like the floor system.
We didn't stop there! We were also tasked to install 16,500 square feet of fiber-reinforced wall coatings throughout the facility.
Installation Process Breakdown
Floor system installation process:
Double broadcast urethane cement slurry
Finished with high-performance urethane topcoat
Cove Base installation process:
Cove base epoxy - made out of color quartz all the way through
Finished with high-performance urethane topcoat
Wall
Had to go over the concrete blocks the wall was made out of
5 coat system
Block filler
Fiber-reinforced epoxy
Withstands thermal shock and high impact
Allows for different temperature showers to not have an impact on the wall system and reduces the chance of an inmate being able to poke holes in the wall due to the strength of the fibers.
Primer
2 topcoats
Call Us Today for Your Epoxy Flooring Needs!
As one of the premier flooring contractors in Dallas, T.W. Hicks takes pride in listening to your flooring needs and finding flooring solutions that meet (and even exceed!) those expectations. If you are looking for flooring contractors in Dallas, do not hesitate to give us a call for a consultation.
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Project Summary
Scope of Project:
11,000 square feet of urethane cement slurry
3,200 linear square feet of epoxy cove base
16,500 square feet of fiber-reinforced wall coatings
Installation Locations:
16 total cell blocks
Kitchen
Laundry
33 high-security steel cells
174 different individual areas
Additional Details
New build - New construction
Started pricing the project out in 2018
Been working on and off over the past year
Had to work very efficiently because of the time it would take to move from one cell block to the other due to the strict guidelines and gates surrounding the area. We were able to have 2 crews working in different cell blocks at one time to speed up the process. Lots of logistics were at play.
Learn more about this project here.