Concrete NZ Floor Guidance for Surface Regularity

Concrete floors may appear basic but all aspects of their design, construction and maintenance should remain top-of-mind to achieve long-term functionality.

The requirements of building users have evolved considerably over recent decades.

At the same time, construction methodologies have also advanced, meaning that some content in existing guidance documents, such as NZS 3114:1987 Specification for Concrete Surface Finishes, is not always suitable.

At first glance a concrete floor may appear a simple structure, however there are many aspects such as surface finish, equipment and vehicle loadings, underlying soil conditions, structural design, concrete properties, construction methods and joint layout that all require careful consideration.

One aspect that Concrete NZ, in consultation with industry experts, felt needed to be bolstered in terms of guidance was surface regularity – a floor’s ‘flatness’ and ‘levelness’.

This is particularly important as inadequate surface regularity increases the risk of collision between materials handling equipment, such as forklifts and high-level racking.

This may mean the materials handling equipment needs to operate at slower speeds, reducing efficiency of operations.

Materials handling equipment is also becoming increasingly automated, placing even greater emphasis on achieving flat and level floors.

Working with industry, Concrete NZ has developed Technical Specification 01:2021 - Surface Regularity Requirements for Concrete Floors, which can be applied to internal concrete floors that are either supported by the ground or are suspended.

The document includes provisions that can apply to a range of building uses including industrial, warehousing, retail or office, where different tolerances are required for the specific use, such as high reach forklifts, and/or take account of final floor finishes that may be applied, such as tiles.

Concrete NZ has also included guidance on methods for measuring surface regularity. The document was introduced to industry via a Concrete NZ Learned Society seminar series across the three main centres in late March and early April.

The seminars targeted designers, specifiers, consulting engineers, local authorities, and contractors.

Concrete NZ was very interested in the attendees’ response to the new document, as well as their feedback on other areas of concrete floor design, construction and maintenance that may benefit from further technical guidance.

Images: Conslab Ltd.

Download Technical Specification 01:2021 - Surface Regularity Requirements for Concrete Floors.