Right arrow NDT Inspection Bay Flooring

Optimising Floor Reflectance and Colour for NDT Inspection Bays in Aerospace Facilities

Q: What floor reflectance level is suitable for NDT inspection bays?

There is no single reflectance value for every NDT bay, but floors should avoid extreme gloss or very dark tones. The goal is a calm surface that supports inspection lighting without glare or heavy shadowing so indications on components remain easy to see.

Q: Should NDT floors be light or dark in colour?

Extremely light floors can create glare and very dark floors can hide contamination. Many inspection bays use a mid-tone, neutral colour that supports contrast while keeping attention on the components being tested. The exact tone is usually agreed with NDT personnel.

Q: How do floor finishes affect fluorescent penetrant inspection?

Floor finishes influence how comfortable it is to view fluorescent indications. Low-glare, neutral floors help maintain a controlled visual field and make it easier to focus on fine features, while also allowing residues of penetrant or developer to be cleaned away between inspections.

Q: Can existing shiny or patchy floors be improved for NDT use?

Highly glossy or visually patchy floors can often be resurfaced to provide more suitable reflectance and a consistent appearance. A survey will determine whether grinding, resurfacing or full system replacement is the most appropriate solution for a particular bay.

Q: How should cleaning be managed without affecting inspection conditions?

Cleaning regimes should remove residues while preserving the intended reflectance and texture of the floor. Using appropriate cleaning agents and agreed methods helps keep the bay visually calm so inspection conditions remain predictable from shift to shift.

Non-destructive testing relies on controlled lighting and clear visual contrast. This article looks at how engineered concrete slab construction, refined concrete finishes and specialist resurfacing systems can be used to tune floor reflectance and colour so NDT inspectors can read indications confidently under white and ultraviolet light.

20 +

Years
Working with Aerospace Inspection Floors

NDT bays sit at the point where structural integrity is confirmed before release to the next stage of build or service. The floor is part of the visual field. Its tone, reflectance and cleanliness affect glare levels, background contrast and how easily operators can separate relevant indications from distraction. Getting this right supports reliable interpretation of fluorescent dyes, magnetic particle indications and surface-breaking features.

Article Focus

Why Floor Reflectance and Colour Matter in NDT Bays

In NDT inspection bays, lighting is calibrated and background conditions are controlled so small indications stand out clearly. A floor that is too glossy can create distracting highlights and reflections, while a surface that is too dark absorbs light and makes it harder to maintain consistent illuminance. Colour choice also influences how fluorescent dye, developer or magnetic particles appear in the inspector’s field of view, especially around stands, trolleys and component supports.

Well planned bays often combine concrete slabs with predictable flatness and resurfacing systems tuned to a mid-tone, low-glare finish. Access routes and staging areas may use polished concrete flooring outside the main testing zone, reflecting approaches used in wider aerospace manufacturing flooring.

Key Flooring Requirements for NDT Inspection Bays

Controlled reflectance so floors do not overpower the inspection area with glare.
Colour tones that provide calm, neutral backgrounds for fluorescent and visible indications.
Surfaces that remain easy to wipe clean so residues and overspray never become visual noise.
Consistent appearance across joints and repairs to avoid distracting patterns.
Integration with lighting, curtains and wall finishes that support agreed inspection procedures.

Flooring Issues That Disrupt NDT Visibility

When floor reflectance and colour are not aligned with NDT requirements, inspectors can find it harder to maintain concentration and distinguish genuine indications from background effects. Over time, this can influence both inspection speed and confidence.

Highly glossy floors creating bright reflections that compete with inspection light on components.

Strong colour contrasts or patchwork repairs distracting the eye during scanning.

Dark or stained zones that absorb light and hide residues or minor contamination.

Uneven reflectance where older coatings sit beside newer resurfaced patches.

Residual developer, dye or penetrant building up in textured surfaces and becoming background clutter.

Colour schemes that make it harder to see spills, footprints or overspray that should be removed between inspections.

Right arrow Our Approach

How we Plan Floor Reflectance and Colour for NDT Inspection Bays

OPTION 1

Lighting Review
and Visual Field Assessment

We start by reviewing the bay layout with your NDT personnel, considering light levels, test methods and the positions where inspectors stand or move. We look at how existing floor colours and finishes interact with white and ultraviolet light, identify areas generating unwanted reflections and note zones where staining or patch repairs are distracting.

Double arrows OPTION 2

Reflectance and Colour
Specification for Floor Systems

With that information, we propose a combination of resurfacing systems with defined reflectance in the core inspection zones and polished concrete surfaces in access routes where slightly different behaviour is acceptable. The aim is to achieve calm, neutral floor tones that complement wall finishes, curtains and screens so components remain the main focus under inspection lighting. Any new slabs are delivered using controlled slab installation so joints and interfaces can be finished consistently.

Double arrows OPTION 3

Installation,
Clean-Down and Handover

Work in NDT areas is planned around inspection schedules, with sensitive equipment and curtains protected or temporarily relocated. Old coatings and incompatible finishes are removed, new systems installed and the bay is thoroughly cleaned. Before handover, we review the finished floor with your NDT team under working light conditions so any fine adjustments to colour boundaries or markings can be considered.

Controlled Reflectance for Inspection Comfort

Floor finishes are selected to sit within a target reflectance range, reducing glare while still supporting the light levels needed for reliable inspection and photographic recording where required.

Colour Tones that Support Indication Visibility

Neutral floor colours help inspectors focus on components and testing media rather than strong colour contrasts. This is particularly valuable when fluorescent products or fine surface-breaking indications are being assessed over extended periods.

Consistent Appearance Across Joints and Patches

Joints, repairs and changes in system thickness are treated to maintain a similar visual response under inspection lighting. This avoids patchwork patterns that draw attention away from the areas being tested.

Practical Cleaning and Housekeeping Support

Surfaces are designed to be straightforward to wipe down so residues, developer or overspray can be removed quickly. This keeps the inspection environment visually calm from shift to shift and supports consistent test conditions.

Discuss Flooring for NDT Inspection Bays

If floor reflectance, colour or surface condition are affecting NDT visibility, a focused review of the inspection bay can often improve comfort and confidence for your inspectors.

Email: info@warehouseflooringsolutions.co.uk
Phone: +44 7813 957982
Unit 38 Neath Abbey Business Park
Neath Abbey
SA10 7DR

Or send your details using the form below and we will respond promptly.

Right arrow FAQ

Floor Reflectance and Colour for NDT
Focused Questions

What floor reflectance level is suitable for NDT inspection bays?

There is no single value that suits every bay, but most NDT teams prefer a floor that sits between very bright and very dark so lighting remains comfortable while indications remain clear. The main aim is to avoid mirror-like glare and strong shadowing so components and testing media are not competing with reflections from the floor. Trials can be used to confirm whether a proposed finish sits in a comfortable range under your existing lamps.

Should NDT floors be light or dark in colour?

Extremely light floors can create glare, while very dark floors may hide contamination and make it harder to see overspray or footprints. Many facilities use a mid-tone, neutral colour that supports contrast without drawing attention away from components. The exact choice is often made in discussion with NDT supervisors, taking into account the test methods and media they use most frequently.

How do floor finishes affect fluorescent penetrant inspection?

During fluorescent penetrant inspection, stray light and background reflections can distract from fine indications on the component surface. A calm, low-glare floor helps maintain a controlled visual field so inspectors can focus on the part itself. It also needs to be straightforward to clean so traces of penetrant or developer do not build up and become visual clutter under ultraviolet light.

Can existing shiny or patchy floors be improved for NDT use?

In many cases yes. Highly glossy finishes can be cut back and resurfaced with a system that offers more suitable reflectance and colour control. Patchy areas can be brought under a single, consistent finish so the bay presents a uniform background to inspectors. A site survey is usually the first step to understand what can be retained and what needs to change to achieve that consistency.

How should cleaning be managed without affecting inspection conditions?

Cleaning regimes in NDT bays should remove residues without polishing the floor to the point where glare becomes an issue. Compatible cleaning agents and methods are chosen so the visual behaviour of the floor remains predictable. It is helpful to agree routines between facilities teams and NDT supervisors so the surface stays clear and consistent while supporting inspection procedures.