Entrance Matting legislation is not the most glamorous topic, but it is essential to understand the key standards when specifying entrance matting for your projects.

Every entrance is different, and therefore the combination of size, shape and recommended products will vary dependant on several factors including location, volume and type of traffic.

Entrance Matting Legislation doesn’t dictate the type or size of matting to be used but outlines the key standards that need to be considered when writing the specification.

BS 7953:1999
Entrance Floor System, selection, installation and maintenance

The standard outlines why Entrance Matting should be specified along with the physical qualities a matting must comply with. For instance, it should:

• Reduce the ingress of soil and moisture into the building
• Reduce slips and trips by reducing the amount of soil and moisture that is tracked onto hard surfaces
• Increase the life of internal flooring by preventing abrasive dirt from entering
• Reduce cleaning requirements as less dirt enters the building

BS 8300-2:2018
Design of an accessible and inclusive built environment

This standard, combined with BS 8300-1:2018 (external), explains ‘how buildings, their approaches and immediate surroundings can be designed, built and managed to achieve an inclusive environment’.

It includes some important considerations in relation to Entrance Matting:

• The threshold needs to allow for a safe and step-free access, which means doors should be easy to open and have sufficient provision for drainage.
• An appropriate Entrance Flooring System to be installed to remove water and debris by foot and wheeled traffic in commercial buildings and buildings used by general public. This needs to account for the volume of traffic flow, the distance required to accommodate the circumference of a large wheelchair wheel (a minimum of 2000mm).
• Any matting should either have its surface level with the adjacent floor finish or, if surface laid, be of a type that has a rubber backing and chamfered edges. This should be securely fixed to the floor to avoid the risk of slips and trips.
• Deep pile carpets and coir matting should not be used on the surface of the floor or within a mat well.

WELL Building Standards

The WELL Standard is made up of 10 Concepts, each covering features with distinct health targets, including advice on how to create a healthy entrance.

The AIR concept states that, ‘All regularly used entrances to the building that have pedestrian traffic to the exterior should use an entryway system composed of grilles, grates, slots or rollout mats that are at least the width of the entrance and extend 3 m [10 ft] in the primary direction of travel.’

The standard also provides guidance on cleaning protocol for Entrance Mats.

BREEAM points and LEED Credits

Entrance Matting is not directly eligible for BREEAM points or LEED credits, however, by selecting the right combination of products it can support and contribute to green building practices by utilising sustainably produced and recycled materials such as aluminium and Econyl® carpet fibres.

Need More Guidance?

For help specifying the right entrance flooring system for your project contact our expert team, or learn more in our 45-minute CPD seminar approved by both the RIBA and the BIID.

Open-access webinar sessions are also available throughout the year.