Diamond grinding to remove paint
A smoothing layer
A smoothing layer
The floor under a camera test
A pedestal on the television floor
The finished floor from the Scene Dock Doors
Introduction
As part of the first major upgrade of Studio 1 in 18 years, TV3 in Dublin chose Elgood Industrial Flooring to refurbish their main studio floor. The broadcaster wanted a super flat surface suitable for high definition multi camera production, with minimum downtime and a long service life. Elgood installed a 6 mm Universal Television Studio Floor Operating Surface over 225 m², using vacuum contained diamond grinding to prepare the existing granolithic concrete and delivering an economical, high performance studio floor in Dusty Grey.
Background
TV3 were upgrading Studio 1 to become their first full high definition studio. This investment provided their first opportunity in nearly two decades to improve and refurbish the studio floor.
The existing sub-floor was a granolithic concrete with a thin resin topping, laid to a level sufficiently accurate for a specialist studio floor system. Rather than replace the entire build up, TV3 wanted to retain the benefit of the good sub-floor and overlay it with a proven operating surface designed specifically for television use.
With more than 40 years of experience in television studio floors and over 130 installations, Elgood Industrial Flooring was selected to supply and install the Universal Television Studio Floor Operating Surface, manufactured and installed entirely in house.
The Challenge
The project needed to meet several key requirements:
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Refurbish Studio 1 as part of a wider upgrade to full HD broadcasting
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Make use of the existing, suitably level sub-floor to avoid unnecessary cost and disruption
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Install a super flat operating surface that would support optimum camera pedestal performance across the full 225 m² area
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Remove the existing floor paint cleanly and provide a sound, keyed surface for the new system
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Minimise downtime, with TV3 keen to return Studio 1 to use as quickly as possible
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Provide an anti static finish and compatibility with semi permanent studio floor paints for ongoing production flexibility
The Solution
Elgood Industrial Flooring designed an economical studio floor refurbishment based on its Universal Television Studio Floor Operating Surface.
Key elements of the solution included:
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Use of the existing sub-floor
With only minor improvements required, the granolithic concrete and thin resin topping were assessed as suitably level to receive the 6 mm Universal Television Studio Floor Operating Surface. This approach avoided the need for a full depth replacement and kept costs and disruption under control. -
Vacuum contained diamond grinding
The existing paint and surface contamination were removed using vacuum contained diamond grinding. This created a clean, textured mechanical key for the new operating surface while controlling dust within the studio environment. -
6 mm Universal Television Studio Floor Operating Surface
Elgood installed the Universal Television Studio Floor Operating Surface at a thickness of 6 mm across the 225 m² studio. The system was laid to tight tolerances to provide a super flat finish that delivers optimum camera pedestal performance and smooth tracking. -
Dusty Grey RAL 7037 finish
The floor was finished in Dusty Grey RAL 7037, a neutral studio colour that works well under lighting and provides a professional backdrop for a variety of sets and programme formats. -
Anti static and paint compatible
An anti static finish was provided as standard to eliminate nuisance static electricity that could interfere with cameras and broadcast electronics. The studio floor is designed to receive semi permanent studio floor paints such as Mylands and can be scrubbed clean routinely as part of normal maintenance.
All work was project managed and installed by Elgood’s own SMSTS and SSSTS qualified in house team, ensuring consistent quality and a single point of responsibility throughout the eight day installation programme.
Outcome
The refurbished studio floor in TV3 Studio 1 has delivered:
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A 225 m², 6 mm Universal Television Studio Floor Operating Surface that supports super flat multi camera operation
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A Dusty Grey RAL 7037 finish that complements HD lighting and set design while remaining practical for everyday use
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An anti static, paint compatible surface that allows TV3 to refresh and adapt the studio look between productions
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An economical solution that made full use of the existing granolithic sub-floor while upgrading the operating surface to modern broadcast standards
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A tightly managed eight day programme that kept downtime to a minimum and returned Studio 1 to service quickly
By combining careful preparation with a purpose designed Universal Television Studio Floor Operating Surface, Elgood Industrial Flooring has helped TV3 create a studio floor that meets the demands of high definition broadcasting and provides long term value in their Dublin facility.
