Trends for Higher Coves in Pharmaceutical Facilities

If you’re working on a project that involves installing new flooring, a cove base or “skirting” can help protect your commercial space. Walls and floors are susceptible to damage and a cove base provides a seamless extension of the flooring system onto the wall. Medical or pharmaceutical facilities that need sterile environments often choose this option because it makes sanitizing the space much easier.

Why you need a taller/higher base

The sole purpose for cove base is to create a seamless transition from the wall to the floor — increasing the level of cleanliness in a space. The floors and walls in laboratory environments are exposed to aggressive conditions: constant use, foot and wheeled traffic, and abrasive cleaners and sanitizers. (Can you imagine how many times a day these facilities were cleaned during the pandemic?)

And up to just a few years ago, the standard cove base height ranged from four to six inches high. Now, as the need for more sterilization has increased, we are seeing new details calling for eight to 10 and sometimes up to 18 inch high base(s) - specifically in the pharmaceutical industry. To obtain durability and cleanliness, in addition to extending the resinous cove base higher up the wall, incorporating a seamless wall system is recommended.

Achieve a smooth installation with the right base

When installed correctly, a quartz and chip base should be smooth with no burrs or holes that could possibly harbor dirt. Along with a taller cove base, increasing the size of the radius is another recommendation to accommodate easier cleaning. It’s also best practice to identify which type of chemicals a floor will come in contact with before determining a topcoat.

Having a higher cove base with larger radiuses and ensuring the finish of the base is smooth are all great ways to meet the needs of these environments. Give Alpine a call for a quick estimate today.