Commercial Compliant Coir Matting: Meeting UK Safety Standards Post-Grenfell

Why Fire Safety Compliance Matters More Than Ever

Following the tragic Grenfell Tower fire, the UK has rightly tightened regulations around building materials and fire safety standards. For landlords, facilities managers, property owners, and hospitality professionals, ensuring every element of your building meets current safety legislation isn’t just good practice, it’s a legal obligation and a moral responsibility to those who use your premises.

One area that’s often overlooked in compliance checks is entrance matting. Yet in high traffic commercial environments—whether you’re managing a multi-tenant residential building, running a busy restaurant, or overseeing an office complex—your entrance matting must meet stringent fire safety and durability standards.

Understanding the Key Legislation: BS EN 1307 and EN 13501-1

EN 13501-1 (Cfl-S1): Fire Safety Classification

Following Grenfell, the fire safety standard EN 13501-1 has become a critical benchmark for materials used in commercial and public buildings. The Cfl-S1 classification means the material has been rigorously tested and certified for fire resistance, ensuring it won’t contribute to the spread of flames or produce excessive smoke in the event of a fire.

For entrance matting and coir matting specifically, this certification provides essential peace of mind that you’re not introducing a fire hazard at one of the most critical points of your building—the main entrance where evacuation routes begin.

BS EN 1307 (Class 32): Wear Classification for Commercial Use

BS EN 1307 sets out wear classification standards for textile floor coverings. Class 32 specifically designates suitability for general commercial use with moderate to heavy footfall. This standard ensures your matting won’t deteriorate prematurely, maintaining both its appearance and safety features over time.

For property managers and business owners, this means you’re investing in a product that’s proven to withstand the daily demands of commercial environments whilst maintaining its compliance status.

Commercial Compliant Coir: Certified Peace of Mind

Our Commercial Compliant Coir Roll Matting is specifically engineered to meet both EN 13501-1 (Cfl-S1) fire safety requirements and BS EN 1307 Class 32 wear standards. This dual certification is unique for a natural coir product and represents the highest quality coconut matting currently available on the UK market.

What makes this particularly significant is that you’re achieving full regulatory compliance whilst benefiting from a natural, aesthetically pleasing material that actually performs better than many synthetic alternatives at removing dirt and moisture from footwear.

Meeting Your Equality Act (DDA) Obligations

Compliance doesn’t stop at fire safety. Under the Equality Act 2010 (which replaced the Disability Discrimination Act), you have a legal duty to ensure your premises are accessible to all users, including wheelchair users and those with mobility aids.

Standard coir matting can sometimes present challenges for wheelchairs, pushchairs, or people using crutches. Our Commercial Compliant Coir addresses this through its unique glass scrim backing construction, which provides:

• Enhanced dimensional stability – the mat stays flat and won’t ruck up or create tripping hazards
• Minimal resistance – wheelchair users can pass over the mat without difficulty
• No problems for walking aids – crutches, walking frames, and high heels move across the surface safely
• Flush installation capability – 3 mat depths 17, 20 & 23mm, when properly installed in mat wells, ensures the surface sits level with the floor

This means you’re simultaneously meeting your fire safety obligations under EN 13501-1 and your accessibility obligations under the Equality Act—two critical compliance requirements addressed with one product.

Why This Matters for Your Business

For Landlords and Property Managers

Multi-tenant buildings face particular scrutiny following Grenfell. Every material must be accountable and compliant. Using certified Commercial Compliant Coir correctly in entrance areas and communal spaces demonstrates due diligence should questions ever arise about building safety.

For Hospitality Venues

Restaurants, pubs, and hotels face constant footfall and regular fire safety inspections. Having entrance matting that’s certified to EN 13501-1 (Cfl-S1) and meets Class 32 wear standards helps you pass inspections confidently whilst the matting continues to perform its essential function of keeping your premises clean and safe underfoot.

For Facilities Managers

Responsible for multiple sites or large commercial premises? Standardising on compliant matting simplifies procurement, ensures consistency across your portfolio, and provides audit trail documentation of compliance with both fire safety and accessibility legislation.

Superior Performance Alongside Compliance

Meeting legislation is the baseline, but Commercial Compliant Coir delivers exceptional practical performance:

• Unrivalled moisture absorption – up to eight litres per square metre, reducing slip hazards and protecting interior floors
• Superior dirt removal – natural coir fibres trap and hold dirt particles effectively, reducing cleaning costs
• Glass scrim construction – ensures stability and prevents stretching, maintaining durability over time
• Mechanically spun yarn – uniform pattern with minimal fibre loss means consistent performance and appearance
• Available in multiple depths – 17mm, 20mm, and 23mm options suit various installation requirements

Installation for Mat Wells and Entrance Areas

Commercial Compliant Coir is ideal for mat wells, particularly those with complex shapes. It can be cut to size with a sharp Stanley knife, allowing precise fitting. For optimal safety and compliance:

• Install so the top of the bristles sits flush with the surrounding floor level
• For deeper wells, use plywood of appropriate thickness as a base layer
• Ensure edges are properly secured to prevent movement and trip hazards

When properly installed, the matting maintains its Equality Act compliance by creating a level, wheelchair accessible surface whilst delivering maximum dirt and moisture removal.

Making the Right Choice for Safety and Compliance

In a post-Grenfell regulatory environment, there’s no room for uncertainty about building materials. Every element must be accountable, certified, and fit for purpose. Commercial Compliant Coir offers landlords, property managers, and business owners a solution that satisfies stringent fire safety requirements under EN 13501-1 (Cfl-S1), meets commercial durability standards under BS EN 1307 Class 32, as well as fulfilling accessibility obligations under the Equality Act.

It’s the hardest wearing, highest quality coir matting on the UK market and it’s fully compliant with the legislation that matters. For premises where safety, accessibility, and regulatory compliance aren’t negotiable, Commercial Compliant Coir provides the peace of mind and performance you need.