ENTRANCE MATTING REGULATIONS UK
A GEGGUS GUIDE TO ENTRANCE MATING AND BRITISH STANDARDS
Entrance matting is often overlooked when it comes to designing buildings but it is the designers/owner’s responsibility to ensure that entrance areas are safe for visitors and comply with UK Building Regulations. GEGGUS entrance mat systems drastically reduce dirt and moisture ingress in entrance areas, prolonging the lifespan of the surrounding floor, reducing maintenance costs and slip and trip injuries.
So, what are the regulations? Entrance Matting and British Standards:
BS 7953 (1999) – Code of Practice details that entrance matting should be used for the removal and retnetion of dirt and mositure. It also describes the requirment for ease of cleaning, maintenance and longevity.
BS 8300 (2018) - Addresses the specific needs in regards to disability access. A minimum mat length of 2.1m (in walking direction) is crucial to allow for a typical wheelchair rotation.
Building Regulations - place further imporance on the requirment for disability access. Building must be accessible to all, both foot and wheeled traffic and it is important that the entrance matting system doesn't impede the movment of wheelchairs.
GEGGUS recommendations:
- For maximum removal of dirt and moisture, where possible we would recommend two wheelchair rotations over the entrance matitng system, meaning a mat length of approx. 4.2m in walking direction.
- Due to poor durability in heavy footfall environments and limited slip resistance (as industry standard) don’t use coir matting in non-domestic applications as they tend to hinder wheelchair accessibility.
- Throw down (loose/surface lay) mats shouldn't be used as a primary entrance matting system in commercial buildings. Surface lay mats are recommended as a secondary matting system (zone 3 /4) after a primary aluminium profile entrance mat.
- We recommend a maximum 4mm gap between each profile and any adjoining floor surface to prevent trips from high heels.
- Consider implementing an effective drainage channel for the removal of excess mositure.
All of the GEGGUS aluminium profile entrance mats comply with the British flooring standards and offer a range of benefits in commercial applications, so you don’t need to worry when it comes to specifying the correct system.