There are special requirements for finishing medical premises. Materials must comply with sanitary and hygienic standards established by SanPiN and fire safety requirements – otherwise the institution will not pass the inspection of regulatory authorities. In addition, the aesthetic appeal of the resulting coating is also important so that patients and staff feel comfortable. We tell you how to choose the right paint for medical institutions in accordance with these requirements.
Features of paints for medical institutions
Not all paints and varnishes are suitable for interior decoration of hospitals, clinics, medical centers, laboratories and other healthcare institutions. In the premises of medical institutions, it is necessary to maintain a regime of enhanced hygiene. Therefore, the covering of walls, floors and ceilings should be easy to wash. And since wet cleaning is carried out in medical institutions more often than anywhere else, it is important that the paint can withstand constant exposure to water and disinfectants. That is, paint for medical institutions must be resistant to washing.
Another mandatory requirement for any interior finishing materials is environmental safety. This is especially important for medical institutions, especially when it comes to a children’s hospital.
So, the requirements for paint in medical institutions can be reduced to the following points:
- non-toxic, no harmful substances or organic solvents;
- strength and abrasion resistance;
- moisture resistance;
- high vapor permeability, which is important for a comfortable indoor microclimate and durability of the coating;
- chemical resistance, ability to withstand exposure to aggressive disinfectants;
- resistance to the formation of fungi, mold and other microorganisms.
Types of paints for hospitals
Paints and varnishes are usually classified by their composition. Until recently, hospital walls were painted mainly with alkyd paint – durable, moisture-resistant and affordable. But it is inferior to other paints and varnishes in terms of environmental safety and many other technical characteristics. Alkyd paint has low vapor permeability and contains toxic organic solvents, which is why it has a sharp unpleasant odor.
Nowadays, when finishing the interiors of medical institutions, preference is increasingly given to environmentally friendly water-based paints and varnishes. Many of them are not inferior to alkyd paints in terms of performance characteristics and therefore fully meet all the listed requirements. Let’s consider them in more detail:
Acrylic
The binder component in this paint is a dispersion of acrylic resins. Its advantages are moisture resistance, resistance to wet abrasion (you can wash the walls many times without damaging the coating), durability, and quick drying. The disadvantage of such a material is that it forms a thick film, so the coating has low vapor permeability. Acrylic paints “Prochnin” , unlike most analogues, form the thinnest film possible, due to which their vapor permeability is much higher than that of similar products.
Silicate
Paint based on liquid potassium glass is durable, long-lasting, moisture-resistant, and has good vapor permeability: in this parameter, it surpasses most types of paint and varnish materials. Due to the high pH level, the paint is not susceptible to mold formation, and thanks to the use of UV-resistant mineral pigments, it retains its color for a long time. The only drawback of silicate paints is the limited palette of shades. They cannot be tinted in very bright and dark colors, which are acceptable in acrylic paints. Silicate paint is easy to apply, any tool is suitable for this – a brush, roller or spray gun, but such paint can only be applied to mineral bases; it is not compatible with organic substrates.
Silicate sol
An improved version of silicate paint. In addition to liquid potassium glass, the paint contains silica sol. Thanks to this additive, the material is suitable for application to any base, including organic ones. Sol-silicate paints have the same advantages as silicate paints: they have high vapor permeability, weather resistance for more than 15 years, etc.
Silicone
In such paints, dispersion of silicone and acrylic resins is used as a binder. This type of paint has high hydrophobic properties, but at the same time allows steam to pass through. When applied, a smooth, even coating is formed that can hide minor defects of the base. This effect is achieved due to the high elasticity provided by silicone resins. Silicone paint is durable, wear-resistant, and does not attract dust.
Principles of choosing paint for medical institutions
When choosing paint for hospital walls, you need to consider not only its composition, compliance with sanitary requirements and safety regulations, but also other criteria: purpose, type of room, color scheme.
Purpose
This feature distinguishes between facade and interior paints. Paints and varnishes for exterior work are more durable and wear-resistant. They contain strong pigments that do not fade under the influence of sunlight. For interior paints, weather resistance is not so important, but much attention is paid to environmental friendliness.
Since the wall covering in hospitals is subject to increased loads, ordinary interior paints are not suitable for this purpose. It is necessary to choose either paints and varnishes specially developed for the interiors of medical institutions, or facade paints – provided that they meet all safety requirements.
However, there are also universal materials that are suitable for both facade and interior work. Choosing such paint will save you from hassle and will allow you to cover the needs for paint and varnish materials at the site entirely, if necessary. Most of the materials of the Friedlander Paints trademark are universal.
Type of premises
The premises of medical institutions are classified according to cleanliness classes:
- A – sterile (operating rooms, delivery rooms, intensive care units);
- B – with aseptic mode (procedure rooms, dressing rooms, general therapy wards);
- B – with a general regime (reception rooms, administrative premises);
- G – “dirty” (bathrooms, utility rooms, corridors).
The higher the cleanliness class, the more intensive the disinfection. Accordingly, for painting walls in sterile and aseptic rooms, it is necessary to use the most durable and chemically resistant materials. For the “dirty” zone, the moisture resistance of the paint coating and its resistance to the formation of microorganisms are important.
Paint color
Gone are the days when hospital walls were always painted white: now a variety of colors is welcomed. A well-thought-out choice of shades in the interior of medical premises has a calming effect on patients, helps to normalize the emotional background and even affects the physiological state of a person, as stated in more than one scientific study.
The main requirement for color solutions for hospitals: the paint color should not be sharp and too saturated. The exception is bright accents, which are sometimes used in the decor of children’s medical institutions. Basically, discreet pastel colors are used: beige, blue, pale pink, light green, etc.
Technologists of the company “Friedlander Paints” will perform tinting in any desired color according to the RAL, NCS fans, our own palette and others, and will also help to select the appropriate paint composition and consult on all issues related to the selection and use of paint and varnish materials.
Application technology
Before applying paint, it is necessary to carefully prepare the surface . Use a spatula to remove the old coating in places where it peels off. If there are areas with loose plaster, they are cleaned to the base. The voids are filled with polymer cement mortar. The surface is leveled with putty, after it dries, the wall is sanded.
The next step is to apply a primer . It improves the adhesion of the paint to the base, reduces its consumption, increases the service life of the coating and allows you to get a uniform color without spots and stripes over the entire area of ​​the painted surface. The primer is applied in one or two layers, depending on the absorbent properties of the base: on porous, highly absorbent surfaces, it is better to apply it in two layers.
It is recommended to use a primer of the same brand and on the same type of binder as the paint. This will ensure the best adhesion of materials and eliminate a possible “conflict” of their components. The range of “Friedlander Paints” includes ready-to-use material systems that include both paint and a suitable primer.
After the primer has completely dried, proceed to painting . It is recommended to carry out the work at a temperature of at least 8°C. The paint is applied with a brush, roller or spray gun – the latter method is faster, more convenient and more economical, since Prochnin paints, when applied with a spray gun, cover the surface with color in one layer. When applied with a roller, a second layer of paint is usually required, it is applied after the first has completely dried. The interlayer drying time of Prochnin paints is 1 hour.
The paint should be applied in one pass using the wet-on-wet method, otherwise overlaps may occur. If it is impossible to do without breaks in work, it is necessary to finish painting at least one architectural detail in one pass – a column, a window or door opening, a section of wall from corner to corner, etc.
So, we have found out that paint for hospitals and other medical institutions must be safe, durable, moisture-resistant, and easy to clean. The products of the brand “Friedlander Paints” meet these requirements and are represented by different types of paints to solve any problems: acrylic, silicate, silicone and others. To get a ready-made solution for painting your facility, contact us via the feedback forms or by phone!
