Correct Placement of Entrance Mats: A Key to Maximising Effectiveness and Safety
When it comes to the placement of entrance mats, the importance cannot be overstated. While many people might consider it a simple task of placing a mat in front of the door and walking away, the correct placement of your entrance mat is vital to ensuring it works efficiently. Improperly placed mats can diminish their effectiveness, lead to safety hazards, and fail to protect the interior of your building from dirt, moisture, and debris.
Whether you're a business owner, facilities manager, or homeowner, understanding the significance of correct placement will not only help to maintain cleanliness but also enhance safety and reduce maintenance costs. In this blog post, we will explore why correct placement is essential, how to properly place your entrance mats, and why making the right decisions when purchasing mats will contribute to a cleaner, safer, and more welcoming environment.
For those looking to improve their matting strategy, make sure to check out our extensive range of entrance mats at Mats4U Entrance Mats.
Why Correct Placement Matters
When selecting entrance mats, there is often more than meets the eye. A lot of thought must go into ensuring they are properly positioned, as incorrect placement can reduce the overall effectiveness of the mat and even cause safety issues.
1. Preventing Dirt and Moisture from Entering the Building
The primary purpose of entrance mats is to trap dirt, debris, and moisture before they enter the interior space. However, if the mat isn't placed correctly or is too small, it won't be able to capture all the dirt and moisture, and contaminants will spread throughout the building. This could lead to slippery floors, increased cleaning costs, and ultimately, a more hazardous environment.
2. Ensuring Safety for All Visitors
Improperly placed mats can create potential safety risks. For example, gaps between the mat and the door, or mats that are not flush with the ground, can pose tripping hazards. Ensuring your mats are placed correctly can prevent accidents and promote a safe environment for staff, visitors, and customers.
3. Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Matting System
Every building has its own set of unique requirements based on foot traffic, design, and the amount of dirt or moisture entering the space. By taking the time to evaluate your entrance and placing mats strategically, you will ensure that the mats work as efficiently as possible to trap dirt and moisture before it spreads.
Size Matters: The Importance of Choosing the Correct Size for Your Mat
One of the most crucial aspects of correct placement is choosing the right size mat for your entrance. Selecting a mat that is too small is one of the most common mistakes people make when setting up an entrance matting system.
Cover the Entire Width of the Door
The mat should cover the entire width of the door so that it can effectively capture dirt and moisture from the soles of shoes as people enter. A mat that is too narrow won’t provide enough surface area for people to walk on, meaning that dirt will inevitably make its way inside.
Ensure Enough Length for Multiple Steps
Another key consideration is the length of the mat. The ideal length should be long enough to ensure that people take at least three full steps on the mat with each foot. This gives the mat sufficient opportunity to scrape dirt, wipe off moisture, and clean the footwear before people enter the building. The longer the mat, the better it is at capturing debris and preventing dirt from being carried further inside.
In fact, the Carpet and Rug Institute recommends that for maximum effectiveness, entrance matting should span at least 15 feet. While this may sound like an impractical length for a single mat, you can achieve this by using multiple mats placed end to end. This is known as a ‘3 mat entrance system’, which we will cover further in a later section. This solution offers flexibility and allows you to achieve the optimum matting length while still maintaining an aesthetically pleasing look.
15 feet sounds like one big mat and in truth it is far bigger than most mats you see out there. This length doesn’t have to be made up of one mat however, you can place two, even three mats, end to end to make up this optimum length. See our blog on a ‘3 mat entrance system’ for advice on the best way to achieve this length with multiple mats.
Push Flush to the Door: Eliminating Hazards
Another key element of correct placement is ensuring that the mat is placed flush to the door. Leaving even a small gap between the mat and the door can lead to people stepping into that gap, creating a potential slip or trip hazard. This might seem like a minor issue, but over time, it can cause problems, particularly in high-traffic areas.
To eliminate this hazard, make sure the mat fits snugly against the door frame, with no visible gap. This will prevent any accidents and make the mat much more effective at preventing dirt and moisture from entering the building.
Don’t Forget the Back Door: A Hidden Threat
While you might be focused on placing the entrance mat at the main front door, it’s important to remember that dirt and debris can enter through any opening. Staff members, delivery drivers, and even visitors might use the back door or side entrances, inadvertently tracking dirt and moisture through the building.
To effectively manage dirt across the building, you should place entrance mats at all entry points. The mats in these locations will help maintain cleanliness throughout your premises, ensuring that no area is neglected, and visitors don’t bring unwanted contaminants indoors.
Understand the Pathway: Placing Mats in High-Traffic Zones
Understanding the flow of foot traffic in and out of your building is crucial for effective mat placement. Most people do not follow a straight line when entering a building; they may veer to one side to reach the reception desk, coffee machine, or elevator. Therefore, placing mats in areas that reflect the natural movement of people is essential.
Use Wider Mats for Greater Coverage
If you notice that foot traffic tends to spread across the entire entrance area, you may want to consider using wider mats. Wider mats will cover a larger area, ensuring that more dirt and moisture are trapped before entering the building.
Landscape vs. Portrait: Which Orientation Works Best?
Another factor to consider is the orientation of the mat. Many people automatically place mats in a portrait orientation, but in high-traffic areas, a landscape arrangement might be more effective. This allows more steps to land on the mat and ensures better dirt removal.
To make sure you are capturing as much dirt and moisture as possible, take a moment to observe how people walk through the entrance and adjust your mats accordingly. It’s about making sure that people are stepping on the mat long enough to clean their footwear.
