SPECIFYING A THREE-ZONE ENTRANCE MATTING SYSTEM
THE IDEAL LEVEL OF PROTECTION, IN EVERY AREA
Preventing slips and trips is one of the main priorities when it comes to specifying entrance matting systems in public buildings. A three-zone entrance matting system, which combines the most effective material with the right mat sizes, is the most effective way of removing dirt and moisture from shoes and wheels, as well as achieving a number of lasting benefits:
minimising the risk of slips and trips
protecting adjacent floors
keeping the entrance area clean
reducing cleaning costs
preserving the value of the building
This three-zone approach (illustrated above) works not only for entrance areas but can also work in other areas of the building.
As a guide, we recommend:
A combined 3 to 5 metre mat length for normal dirt pick-up.
6 to 7 metres for medium dirt pick-up.
And 8+ metres for high dirt pick-up with heavy traffic.
Entrance mats are also often referred to as barrier mats. This reflects the fact that they are not only used in entrance areas, but also in other interior areas where there is a risk of soilage or spillage - such as washrooms, external break rooms and smoking areas.
In areas where three zones aren’t possible, we would recommend a two-zone system, or a combination mat, for example pairing our ribbed carpet and grooved rubber.
Wet slip signs are usually an indication of poor entrance mat specification, where either the mat length is too short, or the materials are inadequate (these inferior mats are often found in smaller supermarkets and fast-food outlets, which experience very high footfalls over short time periods).