Maidstone Hospital

Maidstone Hospital, part of the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS trust serves the urban and rural communities, including West Kent and the north of East Sussex. The Air ambulance service ensures patients can reach the A&E department quickly helping to improve the life chances of injured or critically ill patients. This important service also enables patients to be flown to specialist centres elsewhere in the country for treatment.

Opened in 2019, this valuable asset had recently become unusable due to the frail nature of the concrete slab topping. Unfortunately, turbulence of the helicopter rotor blades meant that stones and debris were cast from the topping, causing concerning health and safety risks.

The helipad concrete slab was constructed in sections, with soft filled joints throughout. A thorough assessment was conducted by Marcon Construction and Triflex field technicians to assess the substrate condition. This included the cohesive strength testing to ascertain the condition of the concrete substrate and identify any substrate pretreatment or primers required. The evaluation also highlighted the perished nature of the perimeter joint, and confirmed that the central joints were in good condition.

A waterproofing protection system was required that could be installed quickly, enabling reinstatement of this vital service, as well as deliver robust protection for the longest term.

The resulting Triflex bespoke project specification proposed Triflex DeckFloor with quartz system, with pretreatment of the surface to remove the defective and loose cementitious materials. The proposed build-up incorporated an additional layer of Triflex DeckFloor resin to smooth out the surface, accommodating the rough texture of the substrate quickly, before the waterproofing and protection system was applied.

Triflex DeckFloor is a tough and durable system with high abrasion and impact resistance. Triflex systems have good chemical resistance to diesel, oils, hydraulic fluid, aqueous solutions of acids, alkalis and de-icing salts, and are unaffected by contact with an alkaline substance, delivering confidence in this environment.

The cold applied resins are exceptionally fast curing, even in winter temperatures, facilitating the project delivery over the winter months. The Triflex Polymethyl methacrylate based resins are hydrolysis resistant, meaning they do not break down in water, which contributes to their longevity in situ, particularly in very flat constructions where ponding water can form.

Triflex DeckFloor finish is available in a large range of colours, with RAL 6024 Traffic green chosen for the main area. Triflex Line Cold Plastic heavy duty marking system provided the required demarcations. The exceptionally fast curing white system has retroreflectance properties to enhance visibility in low-light conditions. Highly UV stable, the distinctive area markings will keep their bright colours delivering peace of mind for aviation compliance for years to come.

Self-terminating, the system was finished flush with drainage outlets, soft filled joints and integrated lighting units to prevent trip hazards for users. The perished permitter joint was removed and repaired with a Triflex FlexFiller, a pourable compressible filler that rapidly cures.

The Trust now has reinstated the Helipad and is once again able to use this valuable asset to improve patient outcomes. All works were carried out to a high standard by Triflex authorised contractor Marcon Construction Ltd.