Just What the Doctor Ordered: Forest rx

ECORE, a company where recycling meets original thinking, is proud to announce its ECORE Commercial Flooring (ECF) Pattern Play application recently received a 2012 Davey Award. Azul Arc, an interactive design and Web technologies firm based in Atlanta, Ga., submitted ECF, which received a silver award in the Websites/Manufacturing category. "We were very pleased to hear we won this award," said Bo Barber, Vice President of ECF. "ECORE strives to be cutting-edge in terms of technology."

ECF is environmentally-friendly rubber flooring featuring numerous color choices with custom design capabilities. ECF Pattern Play is a Web program that allows users to "play" with custom pattern designs, using ECORE's EPDM colors, to create custom flooring. In addition to being attractive, ECF is designed to meet stringent criteria under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system and is FloorScore certified.

ECORE Commercial Flooring (ECF) is proud to introduce its latest flooring solution: Forest rx. Using ECORE's itstru technology, this unique surfacing is a hybrid of a Forest rx vinyl wear layer, manufactured by Polyflor, fusion-bonded to 5 millimeters of ECORE recycled rubber. By combining ECORE's innovation and environmental initiatives with Polyflor's world-class flooring solutions, a new category of flooring emerges. The result is a beautiful surfacing that looks like real wood, but is quieter underfoot, ergonomic, and safe.

"The most exciting thing about forest rx is its multi-purpose attributes," said Bob Barber, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at ECORE. "Although it has the appearance of hard wood, it offers more benefits than traditional wood surfacing. In addition to being attractive, quiet, ergonomic and safe, Forest rx is economic, hygienic, and easy to install."

Forest rx is available in seven wood-grain looks and is ideal for healthcare environments that include patient rooms, nurse's stations, therapy spaces, corridors, and offices as well as senior living spaces. The surface's PUR enhanced wear layer makes it durable, and cleaning simply requires a dry and wet mop and buffing. No waxing is needed.

Forest rx offers proven sound control where peace and quiet are required and expected. IIC tests (in accordance with ASTM E492 and E2179) demonstrate Forest rx allows the most basic assemblies to exceed strict IIC 50 building code requirements, reducing impact sound by more than 20 decibels with no ceiling.

In addition, the overall comfort of this recycled rubber flooring provides improved ergonomics for active patients, residents, and staff. Studies have shown that a more comfortable and content staff results in a better level of patient care. Forest rx is also designed to reduce the risk of injury associated with falls. Force reduction tests have shown fall impact is reduced by 16.9 percent (in accordance with DIN 18032) when Forest rx is installed. This surfacing can also reduce the severity of patient or resident injuries and mitigate liability for the owners of healthcare facilities.

Forest rx is easy to install and simply requires being glued down with an ECF approved adhesive. The seams should be heat welded. This process saves time and money, because no separate underlayment is required.