Right arrow Chemical Storage Warehouse Flooring

Flooring Solutions for
Chemical Storage Warehouses

Q: What type of flooring is suitable for chemical storage warehouses?

Chemical storage warehouses usually use concrete floors with systems selected to resist the particular products on site. This often involves an industrial slab in the main warehouse, with chemical-resistant resurfacing in bunded or transfer zones and polished concrete in marshalling and despatch areas. The combination provides support for racking and drum storage while helping operators manage spills and keep surfaces clean.

Q: Can you upgrade floors while the warehouse remains operational?

Yes. Flooring upgrades in chemical storage warehouses are typically phased so that operations can continue. Areas are released in sequence, stock movements are planned in advance and work zones are segregated with barriers and signage. Emergency routes and key equipment remain accessible, and sections are handed back ready for your internal checks before being brought back into full use.

Q: How do you design floors to support spill containment?

Spill containment is considered from the outset of the floor design. Bund walls, kerbs, falls and drainage details are reviewed, then defective concrete is repaired or rebuilt. The finished surface is profiled to direct liquids towards sumps or channels, and a compatible resurfacing system can be applied to create a continuous, easy-to-inspect lining that supports your spill procedures.

Q: Do you offer static-controlled flooring for flammable chemical storage?

Where flammable liquids or powders are present, conductive or static-dissipative systems can be incorporated into the floor design. These are usually installed as part of a specialist resurfacing build-up over a prepared concrete base and are chosen to suit the hazardous area classification, type of equipment and proposed earthing arrangements in the warehouse.

Q: Can you refurbish existing bunds and containment kerbs?

Yes. Existing bunds, kerbs and tank bases can be repaired and upgraded by removing defective material, rebuilding damaged sections, re-levelling the floor and applying new chemical-resistant finishes. This improves the integrity of the containment system and makes routine inspection and cleaning more straightforward.

Q: How long will a chemical-resistant floor last in a warehouse environment?

The lifespan of a chemical-resistant floor varies with the substances handled, traffic levels and cleaning methods. When a suitable concrete base is combined with an appropriate protective resurfacing system and sensible maintenance, the floor can provide many years of service before major refurbishment is required.

Warehouse Flooring Solutions installs reinforced concrete slabs, polished concrete flooring and chemical-resistant resurfacing systems for chemical storage warehouses across the UK. Floors are configured to support drum and IBC storage, bulk transfer, spill management and safe movement of handling equipment.

20 +

Years
Experience in Chemical Storage Flooring

Chemical storage warehouses need floors that support safe containment, clear segregation of hazard classes and smooth operation of forklifts, drum trucks and pallet movements. We install and upgrade floors that integrate with bunds, drainage, racking and fire protection strategies while supporting your COMAH, HSE and insurer expectations.

Our Expertise

Flooring Needs in Chemical Storage Warehouses

Chemical storage facilities combine palletised stock, drum and IBC compounds, decanting points, loading bays and emergency response areas. Floors must support racking legs, drum stacks and intermediate bulk containers while offering protection against occasional leaks or spill events. Surfaces need to be compatible with aggressive liquids, straightforward to wash down and clearly marked to support safe routes and segregation of flammables, corrosives and oxidisers.

Many operators use specialist resurfacing over industrial slab construction in bunded zones, creating slip-resistant, chemically tolerant finishes with controlled falls to sumps and channels. In marshalling and cross-dock areas, polished concrete floor finishes can provide a bright, low dust surface similar to those used in logistics hubs, supporting efficient vehicle movements and stock control.

Need for surfaces that resist attack from acids, alkalis, solvents and cleaning agents.
Floors must aid spill containment through bunding, kerbs and controlled drainage falls.
Compatibility with racking layouts, drum storage and IBC stacking arrangements.
Clear demarcation for forklift aisles, pedestrian routes and emergency access paths.
Options for static control in areas handling flammable or volatile substances.

Flooring Problems in Chemical Storage Warehouses

When floors in chemical stores begin to break down, the impact goes beyond appearance. Defects can compromise containment, complicate clean-up after minor leaks and raise questions during HSE visits, insurance inspections or COMAH audits.

Cracking through bund walls or floor slabs that may allow escape of liquids

Surface softening or erosion after repeated contact with specific chemicals

Damaged joints under racking legs or forklift routes leading to impact and vibration

Standing liquid in low spots where falls no longer direct spills to sumps or channels

Worn surface texture causing slippery conditions in wet or contaminated areas

Previously coated zones with widespread peeling, exposing the concrete below

Right arrow Our Process

How We Upgrade Floors in Chemical Storage Warehouses

STEP 1

Site Survey and
Risk Review

We walk the warehouse with your operations and safety teams, noting chemical types, containment arrangements, racking layouts and existing defects. Particular attention is given to bund performance, drainage routes, tanker off-loading areas and zones where previous spills have highlighted weaknesses in the floor system.

Double arrows STEP 2

Floor Design,
Specification and Phasing

We develop a solution that may combine new concrete slab construction in loading or tanker areas, chemical-resistant resurfacing within bunds and transfer zones, and polished concrete in marshalling aisles. Falls, joint details, kerbs and marking schemes are planned alongside a phased programme that fits around stock volumes and vehicle movements.

Double arrows STEP 3

Installation,
Containment and Handover

Works are carried out in segregated areas, with temporary protection, clear signage and close coordination of stock relocation. Bunds, kerbs and drainage details are rebuilt or refined as required, and the finished floor is handed back ready for your leak testing, emergency response drills and standard operating procedures before full chemical stocks return to the area.

BS 8204

Floors are installed and levelled in line with BS 8204, supporting safe forklift operation, stable racking and predictable falls towards sumps or drainage channels within chemical storage areas.

BS EN 206

Concrete works follow BS EN 206 guidance for mix design, cover and curing, helping slabs withstand loading from racking, drums and plant while providing a sound base for specialist resurfacing systems.

CSCS Certified

Our operatives carry CSCS cards and work within clearly defined traffic routes, permit-to-work procedures and site rules commonly applied in chemical warehouses and COMAH establishments.

SMAS Worksafe

SMAS Worksafe accreditation confirms compliance with SSIP schemes, supporting structured safety management on projects within chemical storage warehouses and related logistics facilities.

Right arrow FAQ

Chemical Storage Warehouse Flooring
Common Questions

What type of flooring is suitable for chemical storage warehouses?

Chemical storage warehouses generally require concrete floors with systems chosen for their resistance to specific products on site. In many cases this means a well designed industrial slab in the main storage area, overlaid in key zones with chemical-resistant resurfacing that can withstand acids, alkalis, solvents or oils. In marshalling, picking and despatch zones, polished concrete surfaces can provide a smooth, low dust finish similar to those used in logistics hubs, aiding visibility of spills and supporting efficient forklift operation.

Can you upgrade floors while the warehouse remains operational?

Yes. Most chemical storage projects are delivered in phases so that operations can continue. We work with your team to agree which aisles, bunds or compounds can be released at each stage, planning temporary stock relocations and safe access routes. Work areas are segregated with barriers and signage, and we coordinate with your emergency response arrangements to ensure that exits, spill kits and firefighting equipment remain accessible throughout the programme.

How do you design floors to support spill containment?

Spill performance starts with the shape of the floor and the details around it. During design we review bund walls, expansion joints, door thresholds and drainage components, then plan falls so that liquids move towards sumps or channels rather than escaping under kerbs. Defective concrete is removed and rebuilt, and suitable resurfacing systems are applied to provide a compatible lining. The aim is a floor that helps your spill procedures work effectively and reduces the effort needed to clean up minor incidents.

Do you offer static-controlled flooring for flammable chemical storage?

Where flammable liquids, powders or vapours are present, it is often important to manage static build up in designated zones. We can incorporate conductive or static-dissipative systems into the overall flooring design, usually as part of a specialist resurfacing installation laid over a prepared concrete base. These systems are selected and detailed in conjunction with your hazardous area classification, equipment in use and earthing arrangements, and can extend into connected production or filling areas such as those found in manufacturing plants.

Can you refurbish existing bunds and containment kerbs?

We frequently repair and upgrade existing bunds, tank bases and containment kerbs where age, impact damage or chemical attack has reduced performance. Works may include breaking out and rebuilding defective concrete, re-levelling floors inside the bund, reprofiling joints and applying new chemically tolerant linings. By addressing both the structure and the surface finish, we help improve containment capability while also providing a floor that is easier to inspect, clean and document within your safety management system.

How long will a chemical-resistant floor last in a warehouse environment?

The service life of a chemical-resistant floor depends on the products handled, the cleaning regime and the level of mechanical impact. A correctly specified concrete base combined with a suitable protective resurfacing layer can provide many years of use when maintained in line with the manufacturer’s guidance. We discuss expected exposure, recommend appropriate cleaning methods and can plan periodic inspection or maintenance works so that minor issues are picked up early rather than waiting until more extensive refurbishment is required.

Flooring Solutions for
Chemical Storage Warehouses

Flooring Needs in Chemical Storage Warehouses

Flooring Problems in Chemical Storage Warehouses