How much entrance matting do I need for my building? is a question we get asked quite a lot. We recommend 6 metres of entrance matting is the optimum for most buildings, but it will depend on the amount of traffic you get through your entrance.
Now, we realise that 6 metres sounds like a lot, and before you think we are trying to hoodwink you into buying more entrance matting, this has been verified by industry experts and an independent study, conducted by the Health and Safety Laboratory (an Agency of the H&S Executive) and the Entrance Flooring Systems Association. (Reducing the slip risk at entrances, the role of matting – Hallas, Thorpe, Ormerod, Nunney & Pillinger – 2009)
For a full copy of the independent report: Reducing the slip risk at entrances, the role of matting, please contact the Entrance Flooring Association (EFSA) directly by clicking here.
This research group looked at the length of matting required for reducing water ingress and stopping floors from becoming slippery. The results suggested:
- At low traffic areas (under 80 people per hour) 3 to 4 metres is the minimum length of matting required to adequately remove moisture.
- At medium traffic areas (400 people per hour) that minimum length increases to 6 to 7 metres,
- At high traffic areas (800+ people per hour) 8 to 10 metres may be required.
BS 7953 suggests that entrance matting systems should be long enough to make contact with the full circumference of a wheelchair wheel, using a 26″ wheel, that’s around 2.1 metres. However this study conclusively proved that 2.1 metres just isn’t enough to create a safe and clean entrance for your building.
If you are unsure of your traffic rate coming through a particular entrance, 6 metres would be a happy medium allowing for roughly 8-10 foot falls.
For more information on entrance matting solutions for your building please get in touch:
- Phone: +44(0)1296 652828
- Email: sales@c-sgroup.co.uk
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Tags: pedisystems, entrance matting, entrance flooring
