Reflective Floor Finishes for Aircraft Maintenance Hangars

• Main Authors: Alumbaugh,Robert L, Gurganus,David
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air Condition, Heating, Lighting & Ventilating; Coatings, Colorants and Finishes; HANGAR DECKS; HUMAN FACTORS ENGINEERING; ILLUMINATION; NAVAL SHORE FACILITIES; PE62760n; PLASTIC PAINTS; POLYURETHANE RESINS; REFLECTIVITY; Terminal Flight Facilities; WU01011

The Civil Engineering Laboratory in cooperation with the Atlantic Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command and the Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, Virginia, investigated reflective floor finishes for improving illumination levels underneath aircraft in Naval aircraft maintenance hangars. For the investigation, the deck of the east barrel of Hangar 122, NAS Oceana, was painted; the adjacent west barrel was left uncoated as a control. Three urethane reflective floor finishes were included in the investigation: two moisture-curing urethanes and one catalyzed chemically resistant urethane (CRU). In addition, two human factors studies were conducted by the Navy Safety Center, Norfolk. Results indicate that illumination levels underneath aircraft on the coated decks increased up to tenfold over the control deck. The increase is also indicated by results of human factors studies; aircraft maintenance personnel required less auxiliary lighting with the reflective-coated deck. A general preference was expressed by personnel for the reflective-coated deck. The chemically resistant urethane performance was superior to the two moisture-curing urethane systems.