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Entrance Mats Regulation and Law
Various regulations apply to entrance mats, and itโs important to comply with them. The Equality Act 2010 and part M of the Building Regulations are particularly relevant for Businesses.
When purchasing mats, businesses must ensure that they are suitable for wheelchairs and other wheeled traffic. This means that they should allow for safe and easy transitions onto, over, and off the mat. In case of an emergency, a wheelchair should be able to turn on the mat without difficulty during an evacuation.
Some types of entrance mats do not meet these regulations. Itโs recommended that you take this into account when deciding which mat to use.
- Coir / Coconut mats have a deep pile that is difficult for wheelchairs to move over or turn around on.
- Ribbed and metal entrance matting systems need to have ridges narrow enough so as not to create a rut in which the wheels can become lodged.
- Mats with high, non-bevelled edges make it difficult for a wheelchair to move smoothly onto the mat.
- Wells and recesses need to be flush with the surrounding floor, so there is no ridge for wheelchairs to overcome.