Apart from creating a great first impression for visitors, external line markings clearly demonstrate the company is complying with health and safety executive (HSE) standards by separating pedestrians from vehicle traffic.
Safety first
Line markings outside a warehouse perform a number of important safety functions by marking out:
•Pedestrian walkways/zebra crossings
•Lorry loading/unloading bays
•Car parking/EV charging bays
•Traffic speed limits, giveway signs etc
•Evacuation assembly points
As well as keeping vehicle traffic flowing and foot traffic safe, a well-designed layout makes the most efficient use of available external space.
Professionally installed external line marking is highly visible and extremely durable, lasting up to four years even with heavy use. The importance of planning and timing, however, cannot be overstated.
Why is the timing so important?
The long-term success of an external line marking project is dependent on the correct installation timing. Failure to plan ahead to ensure conditions are right for application risks paint delamination issues.
For best results, the ideal conditions for external line marking include having a clean, dry surface. A wet/moist surface will affect both paint adhesion and drying time, and often result in delamination. A damp, cold environment (snow, rain, fog or mist) will result in humidity levels that are too high for line marking.
Spring and summer provide the perfect warm conditions for carrying out external line marking. Outside air temperatures can usually be relied on to be 10+ degrees C, which is ideal for paint adhesion and curing.
Begin planning early
The best time to plan this is in February/March so the project can be scheduled for the warmer months. At this point, calling in an expert for a free site survey of the project is a good starting point.
A complimentary safety and maintenance survey for warehouse line marking has been launched by inotec UK. Designed to provide advice on the essential health and safety requirements of line marking, it also covers upkeep of existing markings and replacement lines. Once the site survey is complete, drawing up plans and scheduling the project can be finalised.
In July, the window closes for arranging an external line marking project as there will be insufficient time to complete it due to the deterioration of the UK’s weather in autumn.
The external line marking process
The areas to be painted are made ready with a thorough clean before being marked up. There are two types of line marking paint that can be used, Duraline 2 pack epoxy paint or MMA (methyl methacrylate) paint. The best paint to apply depends on the type of surface to be painted together with the traffic volumes in that area.
Duraline 2 pack epoxy paint
This is applied directly to concrete using an airless spray machine. The surface is prepared with either shot blasting or diamond polishing, enabling an extremely strong bond between the paint and the ground. Two coats of paint are applied and full curing for heavy traffic takes up to 24 hours. Installation is relatively quick – up to 1,000 metres per day – and is ideal for car parking, hatched areas and walkways.
MMA (methyl methacrylate) paint
MMA (cold plastic) is an extremely durable two component line marking paint. It is used for heavy traffic locations such as zebra crossings, roundabouts or junctions. It is hard wearing with a fast cure time and up to 500 metres per day can be installed.
The minimal cost of maintenance
Having an external line marking maintenance programme ensures the outside areas of a warehouse remain safe, functional and compliant with HSE guidelines. The use of professionally applied quality paint will give longevity to external lines; however, as each project will have different traffic volumes and wear conditions, regular monitoring is recommended.
It is more economical to touch-up and refresh line marking rather than completely replace it. Arranging an annual inspection from a warehouse line marking specialist is therefore a wise investment.
David Stocker, Sales Director of inotec UK states, “Our professional line marking team are available to guide and advise customers on the most suitable solution and timing for each project.
“We use the best quality paint and the most effective installation techniques to deliver highly durable and clearly defined results.”
To contact inotec UK call 01482 654466 or email: info@inotec.co.uk
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