Life's Lesson from Flooring
Looking at some flooring drawings, a thought flashed thru my mind. Technically speaking floorings in large areas like metros need to be treated with care. This is required in view of long life of flooring and making it damage proof. And I found a life's lesson hidden in this technicality.
If you want the flooring to last long given below are some qualities for selection of flooring material.
1. Good abrasive resistant
2. High impermeability
3. Good strength
4. Good visual appearance
A flooring material in public place like metro shall have good abrasive resistance i.e. ability to withstand high traffic without getting scratched. This property imparts a long lasting sheen on flooring without dust generation. _In life also you have to be resistant to when people try to trample you. You shall not let circumstances or others wrong treatment affect you._
High impermeability means resistant to stains, almost nil absorption of staining materials. This property does not allow flooring to appear poor with bad stains and makes it easily cleanable. _In life also one should be careful not to let the bad company or dishonesty malign your image with stains of sinful acts_
Good strength of flooring is needed to take the heavy loads and impacts. A brittle flooring which can break easily is of no use. Only a strong flooring material can withstand heavy traffic load and remain intact. _In life also one shall have strong moral character so that one does not give away under pressure_
Good visual appearance requires the flooring material to welcome the public by its aesthetical appeal. The flooring shall be charming and blend with overall harmony. _In life also one has to keep smiling while dealing with others. An open and charming outlook is more receptive and increases social acceptance_
The fifth quality which I have not listed above is very important and I am sad to tell you that Architects are ignoring it. Most of them being unaware of its importance. This is called as Flexibility provision. Large flooring finishes applications require margins of flexibility which is provided in form of movement joints.*In metros due to train vibrations or temperature based expansion / contraction movement joints shall be provided normally at 8m distances. This allows flooring to adjust without breaking the panels. These are different from expansion joints in structure. You can see these in MC1A metro and T3 Airport at Delhi.
_And my friend in life also you need to flexible as well, even if you are very strong and charming. Unnecessary rude attitude without any margin of adjustment with others is only going to break your own self._
*Try looking at things differently - there is always something out there to learn*
🙏🏽Satyakam Garg