consider the following:
• Be smooth, slip resistant and splinter free
• Be warm to the touch
• Have a resilient shock absorbent surface
resistant to permanent deformation under
long term repeated cycles
• Ease of cleaning and maintenance
• Long service life suitable for the variety of
activities it will be expected to take on
A wide variety of differing floor systems are
available, but all should be considered for their
compliance with BS 7044: Part 4 and BS EN
14904: 2006. Refer to the Sport England
guidance note ‘Floors for Indoor Sports’ updated
in 2007 for further information5
Consideration should also be given to the variety
of intended activities that each studio is
expected to provide. Users may be barefoot, or
be wearing soft or hard shoes. This range of
activities may significantly impact upon the floor
chosen.
The potential for conflicting requirements may
require the use of temporary overlay flooring e.g.
mats for martial arts. The permanent floor finish
should be selected to suit the primary activities
within the studio. Any temporary overlay flooring
will need to be stored with relative ease and
speed when not in use, to maximise studio use.
Studio floor finishes may be more liable to
surface damage e.g. scratching, due to
trafficking of dirt into the building. The following
should be considered in order to reduce the
risks:
• Consider additional matting at the entrance to
the studio area.
• Seal or provide finishes to walls or ceilings
that could be a source of dirt.
• A regular cleaning regime is implemented by
the operator as required within
manufacturer's instructions.
Walls
Finishes should take account of the ease of
cleaning and maintenance. Scuffing by moving
equipment and users may be a particular issue.