Polyflor Polysafe Stone FX PUR Safety Flooring

Polyflor Polysafe Stone FX PUR represents a significant advancement in safety flooring, offering specifiers and end-users a solution that doesn’t force a choice between aesthetic appeal and critical slip resistance. Developed specifically for busy commercial settings where the risk of slips is heightened due to footfall or spillages, this range provides assured underfoot safety that meets and exceeds industry standards.

The core of its safety performance lies in the integration of quartz, aluminium oxide, and silicon carbide particles throughout the performance layer of the vinyl. This ensures that the slip-resistant properties are maintained for the entire lifespan of the floor, achieving a Pendulum Test Value (PTV) of ≥36 on the RRL Slider 96 scale in wet conditions. This compliance with HSE guidelines and the EN 13845 standard for particle-based safety floors provides peace of mind in environments ranging from healthcare and education to retail and leisure.

Visually, Polysafe Stone FX PUR breaks away from the often-utilitarian look associated with safety flooring. The range features 12 high-clarity designs meticulously crafted to emulate the natural beauty and texture of stone and concrete finishes. This sophisticated palette allows designers to incorporate safety flooring seamlessly into contemporary commercial interiors. Furthermore, the formulation is carborundum-free, enhancing the clarity and definition of the decorative designs for a more authentic appearance.

A key feature enhancing both performance and appearance is the cross-linked and UV-cured Polysafe PUR reinforcement. This surface treatment provides superior resistance to scuffs, stains, and chemical spills, crucial in maintaining the floor’s aesthetic integrity in demanding locations. More significantly, the PUR coating dramatically simplifies the cleaning regime. It eliminates the need for initial sealing or polishing and allows for ongoing maintenance using a simple, cost-effective cleaning process. Polyflor estimates that this PUR reinforcement can reduce lifetime maintenance costs by up to 60% compared to untreated safety flooring, offering substantial long-term value.

With a robust 2mm gauge and a 0.7mm wear layer, Polysafe Stone FX PUR is built to withstand heavy commercial traffic. Its flexibility aids installation, allowing it to be easily coved up walls and welded at the seams to create a continuous, hygienic, and impervious surface – a vital requirement in healthcare and food preparation areas. Manufactured in the UK, the range also boasts excellent environmental credentials, including a BRE Global A+ rating for major use areas (like healthcare and education) and Indoor Air Comfort GOLD certification for very low VOC emissions. It is also 100% recyclable through the Recofloor vinyl take-back scheme.

Is Polyflor Polysafe Stone FX PUR Right for You? A Buying Guide

Choosing the right flooring is crucial, especially where safety is a primary concern. This guide helps you determine if Polyflor Polysafe Stone FX PUR fits your project needs:

• Room usage / Location: This flooring is specifically designed for commercial and public spaces with high footfall and potential slip risks. Ideal applications include hospital corridors, school classrooms, retail shop floors, leisure centre changing room surrounds (excluding continuously wet areas like showers), office canteens, reception areas, and social housing communal zones. While technically usable domestically, its primary design focus and aesthetic are commercial.
• Lifestyle: Consider the ‘lifestyle’ of the space. Is it subject to heavy foot traffic, frequent spills, or stringent hygiene requirements? Polysafe Stone FX PUR excels in these conditions, offering reliable safety and easy cleaning for busy operational environments.
• Budget: As a high-performance safety vinyl with enhanced aesthetics and PUR coating, it represents a mid-tier investment within commercial flooring. While the initial cost per square metre might be higher than standard vinyl, factor in the significant long-term savings from reduced maintenance (no polish, less intensive cleaning) and its inherent durability. Professional installation costs must also be budgeted.
• Durability & Maintenance: Expect excellent durability suitable for heavy commercial use, thanks to its construction (2mm gauge, 0.7mm wear layer). The Polysafe PUR coating is a major benefit, offering superb resistance to scuffs and stains and making cleaning significantly easier and cheaper over the floor’s lifespan compared to non-PUR treated safety floors.
• Material Type Pros & Cons:
  • Pros: Guaranteed sustainable slip resistance (HSE compliant), attractive stone/concrete designs, highly durable, exceptionally easy to clean and maintain (PUR coating), hygienic (weldable seams), excellent environmental profile (A+ rated, low VOCs, recyclable).
  • Cons: Primarily designed for commercial aesthetics, higher initial cost than basic vinyl or non-safety flooring, requires skilled professional installation for best results and warranty adherence.
• Aesthetics & Style: A key strength is its ability to provide safety without sacrificing style. The 12 stone and concrete effect designs offer a sophisticated alternative to traditional safety floors, enabling coordination with modern commercial interior design schemes.
• Comfort & Sound: Provides typical underfoot comfort levels expected from a resilient sheet vinyl flooring. It offers moderate impact sound reduction properties, contributing to acoustic comfort in busy spaces.
• Underfloor Heating: Polysafe Stone FX PUR is generally compatible with underfloor heating systems. However, it’s crucial to ensure the system design limits the floor surface temperature to a maximum of 27°C, as per Polyflor’s recommendations.
• Installation: This product requires professional installation. Correct subfloor preparation is essential. Seams should be hot welded by experienced fitters, such as the specialist teams at Grosvenor Flooring, to ensure a hygienic, watertight, and durable finish, especially in demanding areas.
• Sustainability: It offers strong environmental credentials. Manufactured in the UK, it boasts a BRE Global A+ rating in key sectors, is certified Indoor Air Comfort GOLD for contributing to healthier indoor air quality, and is fully recyclable via the Recofloor scheme at the end of its life.

Frequently Asked Questions about Polyflor Polysafe Stone FX PUR

What makes Polysafe Stone FX PUR a ‘safety floor’?

Polysafe Stone FX PUR incorporates aggregates like silicon carbide, aluminium oxide, and quartz throughout its vinyl wear layer. This construction provides sustainable slip resistance that meets or exceeds Health and Safety Executive (HSE) requirements, achieving a Pendulum Test Value (PTV) of 36+ in wet conditions for the guaranteed lifetime of the product, significantly reducing the risk of slips.

Where is Polysafe Stone FX PUR typically used?

It is specifically designed for busy commercial and public environments where safety underfoot is crucial. Common applications include healthcare facilities (corridors, wards), educational institutions (classrooms, canteens), retail spaces, leisure centres, office break areas, and communal areas in social housing projects.

How easy is it to clean Polysafe Stone FX PUR?

Maintenance is significantly simplified thanks to the integrated Polysafe PUR (polyurethane reinforcement) coating. This tough surface resists dirt pick-up and staining, requiring only regular cleaning with a neutral cleaner. Crucially, the PUR coating eliminates the need for initial or ongoing application of polish/sealant, drastically reducing lifetime maintenance efforts and costs by up to 60%.

Can Polysafe Stone FX PUR be used with underfloor heating?

Yes, Polysafe Stone FX PUR is generally suitable for installation over underfloor heating systems. However, it is essential that the heating system is commissioned correctly and that the surface temperature of the flooring does not exceed 27°C (80°F) at any point. Always consult Polyflor’s technical documentation for specific guidance.

Is Polysafe Stone FX PUR an environmentally conscious choice?

Yes, Polyflor places a strong emphasis on sustainability. Polysafe Stone FX PUR achieves an A+ rating in the BRE Global environmental assessment scheme for major use areas. It is certified Indoor Air Comfort GOLD for very low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions, contributing to better indoor air quality. Additionally, it is 100% recyclable through the Recofloor vinyl flooring take-back scheme.