FM2 concrete floor finishing techniques
In the field of concrete flooring, precision, durability and performance are essential. FM2 or Floor Measurement is highly recognised for its high tolerance and flatness which used to be considered equivalent to gold in several and industrial applications. At Midas Concrete Floor solutions, we take pride in offering exceptional service on FM2 concrete floor treatments. In this blog, we will discuss the FM2 techniques and processes to obtain quality concrete finish.
Understanding FM2 concrete flooring
Floor Measurement 2 or FM2 refers to a specification under TR34 which comes under Concrete Society's Technical Report. It provides guidelines for the structural design to concrete flooring and other construction works especially in ground flooring. FM2 floors are often categorised by its high tolerance levels that makes them ideas for environments where precise flatness and levelness are vital. Apart from that, there can be warehouses, manufacturing plants and distribution centres.
Benefits of proper floor finishing
A well- furnished concrete flooring through FM2 is important for several reasons, they are: Increasing Durability and hardness: Applying FM2 on the ground floor gives proper finishing that boosts the longevity of the floor. However, proper floor finishing helps to make the floor more resistant to wear and tear. Improves Safety: Smooth and even surfaces can significantly reduce accidental risks and also improves operational efficiency. Easy maintenance: A floor with quality finish allows individuals to clean and maintain the floor easily. Aesthetics: A quality finish and well furnished floor improves the overall look of the facility and can be attractive to others.
Key techniques to achieve FM2 floor finishing
1. Subgrade preparation
A well- prepared subgrade helps to make the concrete floor effective and strong. This includes: Compaction: It helps to ensure the subgrade that is compacted to the appropriate density to support the concrete slab. Moisture barrier: Installation of moisture barrier able to keep water vapour from permeating the slab that can cause curling and cracking. Levelling: Applying laser- guided technology helps in precision levelling the subgrade and also helps to create a stable concrete platform.
2. Formwork & Reinforcement
Achieving an FM2 finish requires significant formwork as well as reinforcement. Formwork: It is precisely installed to define the shape of the slab while maintaining the ideal level and flatness. Reinforcement: Utilisation of steel reinforcement through rebar or mesh helps to strengthen the concrete slab and also avoid the chances of cracks. At Midas Concrete Floor solutions, we usually use mesh and rebar depending upon the condition under the supervision of an expert to ensure appropriate flatness level.
3. Concrete Placement
In the concrete flooring process, placement of concrete can be challenging due to demanding meticulous attention to detail. Mix design: We at Midas Concrete Floor solutions, use a high quality concrete mix with the proper water content ratio ensuring the workability and strength. Pouring: It can be defined as the process of controlled placement of concrete to prevent segregation and confirm homogeneity. To provide smooth finish in concrete, vibrator can be recognised as a widely used tool for removing air pockets that resulted in a thick and long- lasting slab.
4. Lavelling and Screeding
Lavelling and Screeding technique is an effective way of achieving the flatness and levelness in precision levelling. In doing so, Laser guided screed commonly use to precise level the concrete, assuring conformity with FM2 standards. Apart from that, Hand Screeding is another technique which is effective in those regions where laser screeds are not relevant. At Midas Concrete Floor solutions, we took pride for our professional craftsman for ideal handling of hand screeds to achieve much required flatness.
5. Power Floating and Troweling
Power floating and troweling are necessary elements in concrete finishing process. Power Floating is the process of smoothing, consolidating, and removing defects from a concrete surface. On the other hand, Troweling is used to create a dense, durable surface. Multiple passes with power trowels are frequently required to fulfil FM2 standards. Both these techniques are highly effective and efficient in terms of achieving optimum level of performance.
6. Curing
In order to achieve smooth flatness, proper curing is vital to confirm that the concrete reaches its maximum strength and durability. In doing so, Moisture Retention is a significant way in which companies apply curing compounds or other employing water-retention techniques. It can be wet curing or covering with plastic sheeting that helps to keep the concrete moist during curing. Alongside that, companies allowing appropriate curing time, that required minimum of 7 days, to ensure the concrete obtain the required qualities.
7. Joint placement and sealing
Joints are required to control cracking, but individual should be careful about planning and implementation. In doing so, Saw Cutting can be recognised as effective technique that helps to create control joints in the slab at predefined points to prevent shrinkage cracking. At Midas Concrete Floor solutions, we recommend sealing with appropriate materials to reduce dirt and moisture infiltration, extending the shelf life of floor.
Conclusion
Overall, obtaining a quality finish through FM2, it requires effective design, expert implementation, and a thorough grasp of concrete behaviour. Midas Concrete Floor Solutions is dedicated to providing floors that satisfy the highest requirements of flatness, levelness, and longevity. By employing these strategies and leveraging our knowledge, we at Midas Concrete Floor solutions ensure that our clients obtain the best industrial flooring solutions available.
