What Safety Features Should Be Considered When Installing a School Gym Floor?

Essential Tips For Choosing The Best Flooring For Your School Gym

Selecting a gym floor is a crucial decision, not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for the safety of students engaging in sports and activities. Just like residential flooring, using the wrong flooring can cause injuries like fractures, bruises, or cuts, and of course, you’ll want to avoid this when it comes to children and teenagers’ safety at school.

In this article, we’ll explore the factors to consider when choosing a school gym floor.

Prevent Slips & Falls With A Floor With Good Traction 

Non-slip surfaces are crucial for preventing slips or falls during games or intense workouts. The natural texture and finish of hardwood floors offer excellent traction, making them a great choice for school gym floors. However, the level of traction can vary based on the finish and maintenance. Regular upkeep is essential to ensure optimal traction and performance.

Reduce The Body’s Impact With Shock Absorption

In addition to traction, another important factor is shock absorption. Gym floors need to absorb the body’s impact to reduce the risk of injury during workouts or games. Materials like rubber or high-density EVA foam mats provide good shock absorbency. Hardwood sports floors are also ideal for a wide range of activities due to their excellent shock absorption properties. Their high shock resistance enhances performance, improves safety, and contributes to their durability. 

Ensure Long-Lasting Performance With Hardwood Floors 

As gyms are spaces where there is high foot traffic and where different equipment is used, It’s best to choose materials that last a long time. Hardwood flooring, concrete, or rubber are excellent choices due to their ability to withstand intense workouts and heavy foot traffic.

Extend The Life Of Your Floors With Regular Maintenance  

A gym floor should be easy to maintain. Choosing materials resistant to microbial growth will ensure hygiene standards are met, which is crucial in a school where children and teenagers of all ages share the space.

Expert Maintenance Tips 

Maintaining your gym floor in optimal conditions is crucial to ensure safety in gyms. Here is a short guide on how to maintain it so gym users are safe and healthy.

• Cleaning: this may sound obvious, but floors should be cleaned daily or multiple times a week to remove debris. Make sure you use appropriate products.
• Inspections: check your floors regularly, as the constant traffic of people and use may wear and tear the floor.
• Ventilation: you may consider airing the gym space to prevent moisture buildup.
• Education: train school staff and gym-goers on the correct use of the space to prevent accidents and unnecessary tearing of the floor. Proper cleaning and the correct footwear are easy ways to keep your floor on point for longer.

Additional Safety Measures For a Secure School Gym

Beyond choosing the correct floor and maintaining it, we recommend you take other safety measures:

• Proper Lighting: having the correct lights can avoid accidents and help gym users pay more attention to where and how they move around the space.
• Clear Signage: use appropriate signs when the floor is being cleaned to avoid accidents. 
• Equipment Placement: make sure the exercise equipment is kept aside in high-traffic areas.

In this way, your school will have a safe and enjoyable gym.

Install Safe & Durable Hardwood Floors For Your School’s Gym 

Choosing the correct gym floor is crucial for keeping their users safe. Despite the material you choose for your institution, keeping it clean and having a maintenance schedule will guarantee all users enjoy it without getting injured. Contact us at Excalibur Hardwood Floors to create a safe environment in your institution. Our team of gym floor specialists in Phoenix will be glad to assess your needs and help you choose the best option for your school.