Gerflor’s colourful safety flooring for Hull’s Bonus Arena

Gerflor’s highly proven,slip-resistant Tarasafe™Standard vinyl flooring was found to be the perfect safety flooring solution for the heavy-duty, high slip-risk areas within the City of Hull’s new state-of-the-art, multiple events complex,named the Bonus Arena.

BAM Construction was awarded the £36.5m Design & Build contract by Hull City Council, which includedconstruction ofthe ultra-modern, steel and glass structure complex. Located on a site of previously redundant and neglected buildings, the aim of the landmark project was to revitalise the heart of the city and put Hull firmly on the map as a major events and top visitor destination.

Opened in 2018, the iconic events’building is managed by SMG Europe. It isa 3,500 capacity arena with the flexibility to reduce to a 2,500 all-seated event and a 2,000 sqm exhibition space, plus an 800-capacity auditorium.The aim was to provide alasting legacy as Hull’s UK City of Culture year in 2017 drew to a close.

As quality was not to be compromised by budget, products were needed for the development that could provide exceptional value-for-money. Therefore, straightforward to maintain floorcoverings that met exacting specification criteria and which could handle exceedingly high levels of footfall whilst retaining their aesthetically pleasing appearance were essential.

James Needler of CFIFlooring, Hull, floorings contractors for the project, said: “Wewere able to save the client money on the flooring specification as Gerflor’s products provided both value for money and world class performance. I had every confidence that their products would deliver as I have a close working relationshipwith the company and use their floorings regularly.

”Having been put forward for specification by CFI Flooring, Tarasafe’scolour choices were then made in collaboration with project architect AFL Architects and main contractor BAM Construction.

As a result, just under1000sqm ofGerflor’sR10 slip-resistant TarasafeStandard in colours, Poppy, Marbre, Noir and Storm were installed in the toilet and bar areas with 500 sqm of R12 slip-resistant Tarasafe Super in Dove Grey within the kitchen area, where a higherlevel of slip resistance was needed.

“The building’s palette of colours was very important to us as this is a venue of entertainment,” said Rita Ochoa, Project Architect, AFL Architects. “We took the unusual step of agreeing colours at the outset toinform us on other aspects of the building and therefore needed products thatcombined specification, budget and colour requirements.”

“The arena has highly visible,golden coloured aluminiumcladding with a neutral grey concourse floor to familarise people with the building on arrival. But in the toilets we wanted to have fun, to add surprise and emphasise that toilets don’t have to be secondary to a project. Gerflor’s Poppy red,in particular, reflected the red auditorium seating. It also adds immediate impact within the 3,500 capacity arena as the flow of people to the toilets can happen within minutes,” concluded Rita Ochoa.

Complete with built-in anti-bacterial and fungicidalhygienic treatments,the Tarasafevinyl safety flooring collection comes in a range of R10-R12 slip-resistance rated products which meet HSE guidelines, while Tarasafe Standard also has an easy-to-clean PUR surface treatment. Group T wear rated Tarasafe floorings have therefore been developed for where outstanding levels of durability, slip-resistance and hygienic flooring qualities are required in demanding contract applications.

With a host of benefits, Tarasafe’s unique construction includes reinforced, glass fibre grid technology for both strength and flexibility and deep inlaid mineral crystal particles to enhance the design, colour and brightness of the product for life. It does not contain carborundum.

Due to its advanced technical composition, Tarasafe is particularly flexible andquick and easy to install. It contains recycled materials, is 100% recyclable and has an environmental rating of A+ (BRE),plus it has a 12 year product warranty.For more information about Gerflor solutions, order a free sample or to speak to a specialist call 01926 622600 / email: contractuk@gerflor.com or visit www.gerflor.co.uk