When the Pale Fire Brewing Co. opened a new facility in Harrisonburg, Virginia, it needed a robust floor finish to turn part of the city’s Cassco Ice House complex into a modern brewery.
Co-Founder and Head Brewer Jamie Long wanted a surface that would be able to perform over a variety of situations such as thermal shock, chemical spills and slippery conditions. He contacted Flowcrete Americas after reviewing the cementitious urethane Flowfresh floor at the Devils Backbone Brewing Company’s Outpost Brewery in Lexington, VA.
Flowfresh was compared against several alternative materials before being specified due to its ultra hygienic credentials, relevant case studies and competitive pricing.
Prior to applying the coating, concrete was poured on the brewing areas to ensure that the floor could handle the weight of the heavy equipment. The floor was laid to a fall so that any liquids would flow into the newly installed trench drains.
Approximately 2,500 sq. ft. of Flowfresh SL was quickly applied over three days in the new production area, bottling line and storage rooms. The antimicrobial system was installed with a full broadcast of aggregates to enhance its slip resistance. A topcoat of Flowfresh SR Sealer was applied to complete the dusky red floor finish.
Coving was included around the edge of the floor to make it exceptionally easy to clean. Since opening, the client has been impressed with how the coving contains water and assists wash downs, especially as it stops grain and dirt getting trapped between the floor and wall. In addition the cove base prevents the drywall in the production room soaking up water.
“I knew we needed floors that would be able to handle the stress from brewery operations. The floor has held up remarkably well in the seven months we have been open…and we are constantly complimented on the cleanliness and professional look of the floor.”
Jamie Long, Co-Founder Pale Fire Brewing Co.
Read the full story online or to find out more about creating high performance floors in brewery environments, download Flowcrete Americas White Paper ‘Advantages of Cementitious Urethane over Epoxy in Brewery Production Areas’
