F. Ball and Co. Ltd. will showcase its range of products for creating flawless flooring installations on board cruise ships at this year’s Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Europe, which takes place at London’s ExCel exhibition centre from 30 November-1 December.
Exported globally, F. Ball’s Maritime Equipment Directive (MED) certified products have been used to install flooring in some of the world’s most prestigious cruise ships, as well as polar exploration vessels, Mediterranean super yachts, New Orleans paddle steamer showboats, and offshore oil rigs.
All of the company’s products for marine applications are tested in accordance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards. These include adhesives for almost every type of decorative floorcovering.
Amongst key products is Stopgap 700 Superflex levelling compound, which is recommended for substrates subject to flexing or movement with temperature changes, such as steel decking.
Other solutions help to ensure a long-lasting, aesthetically pleasing flooring finish when subject to conditions typically found in marine environments. For example, F. Ball’s Stopgap 1200 Pro levelling compound is moisture tolerant and can be applied directly over old adhesives residues as well as steel subfloors. Styccobond F49 Hybrid PS temperature tolerant, pressure sensitive vinyl adhesive forms a water-resistant bond that is able to withstand extreme temperature changes. Together, they can be part of a system for installing floorcoverings in areas exposed to high levels of moisture, such as bathrooms and kitchen and galleys on board vessels.
F. Ball will also use the Cruise Ships Interiors Expo to reinforce the company’s leading credentials in the manufacture of subfloor preparation products, highlighting the continual innovation and development of its products, supported by certification of its manufacturing and quality processes to international standards ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001.
Commenting on the company’s presence at the show, F. Ball Export Business Manager Jonathan Goold said: “Achieving a perfect finished appearance for the flooring in cruise ships is as important as every other aspect of the internal décor and furniture. In addition, ensuring the flooring maintains its integrity over the lifetime of the installation – both in terms of appearance and safety – is a critical consideration for any marine environment. F. Ball products are developed and exhaustively tested to ensure that both of these benefits can be guaranteed.”
