ICO Case History -- Concrete Protection for Detention Centers

INTRODUCTION 

The concrete surfaces in the modern penal institution require a variety of quality coatings systems to contend with the diverse conditions found in these institutions.  As with any industry the need for the maximum performance is coupled with a desire for the minimum cost.  This requires the matching of ideal coating systems with the precise conditions to be encountered.  Naturally appearance is a desired characteristic but one that must bow to economical performance as the prime concern.

DISCUSSION 

There are some specific areas that historically offer the greatest and most frequent problems because the conditions include daily use, under wet conditions, with a need for sanitary conditions.  Good examples are shower areas, kitchens, and cafeterias.  We have never encountered any personnel that did not complain of the problems of maintaining these areas prior to the use of ICO Floor Coating on the floors and ICO Glaze on the walls of shower stalls.  The first picture revels shower stalls at the Hampton County Detention Center in Hampton South Carolina.  The paint was constantly peeling and required recoating every 6 months.  In paint off the surface down to a solid, clean substrate.  In this application the ICO Glaze system, including ICO Gel to smooth the joints was applied on the walls.  The contrasting photo is ICO Glaze after 4 months of use.  The striking difference is testimony to the tough, mold, graffiti and damage resistant characteristics of ICO Glaze.

Showers: Before and After	Cells: Before and After

The floors have added difficulty as they are subjected to harsh cleaning, constant traffic and must be skid resistant.   The best performing material found by institutions for this area is the ICO Floor Coating also seen in the finished photo.  The system includes ICO Primer LV, and two coats of the Floor Coating.  The first coat receives a broadcast of aggregate to provide the required skid resistance needed in shower areas.

The same coating ICO Floor Coating is an excellent covering for hallways, cafeterias, and cell floor.  The second of pictures shows the use of ICO Floor Coating in the Georgetown Detention Center in Georgetown South Carolina.   Also shown are hallways that were sealed with only ICO Primer LV to minimize costs while maximizing performance and facilitating the ease of cleaning and maintaining the floors.

There are other areas in these facilities that require heavy-duty protection such as kitchen floors,  subject to thermal shock from boiling water on cold floors, and exposure to CIP cleaning chemicals.  The ideal floor surface is a more flexible, odor and void free, resin rich epoxy, ICO Guard 51.  The resistance of this product to impact, chemicals, and severe wear, along with its seamless application, make it an economical alternative to conventional tile and brick.