Stopping Dirt at the Door

Key Takeaways:

• A well-designed and properly maintained matting system is the first line of defense against dirt, moisture, and slip hazards in building entryways.
• Regular inspection, cleaning, and replacement of entryway mats are essential for protecting floors, improving indoor air quality, and maintaining safety.
• Entryways play a critical role in both facility appearance and occupant safety, making them a high-priority area for cleaning and maintenance teams.

 

Buildings contain an assortment of spaces that receive varying levels of use. Lobbies, hallways, cafeterias, and restrooms see a lot of traffic, while private offices, conference and event rooms, and storage/utility areas may experience lower traffic levels. One feature of every facility that arguably receives the highest traffic, however, is the building's entryways. Entryways establish first impressions and are also a major control point for dirt, moisture, and contaminants. First impressions matter, but effective maintenance for entryways isn’t just about appearance; it directly affects safety, costs, and indoor air quality (IAQ).  

Well-maintained building entryways need to be clean, functional, and free from hazards. What are some general considerations for maintaining these areas?  

“Safety is the top priority,” says Ricky Martinez, Assistant Director of Facility Services for the Salt Lake City School District, Utah. A vital component of entryway safety, he continues, is a good matting system.

Starting with Mats 

“Walk-off mats require careful consideration and must be approved by the Risk Management Department,” Martinez says. “Specific requirements must be met, including placement distance from entry carpeting, appropriate backing to ensure secure adhesion to tile flooring, and stability to prevent movement. Mats must remain flat against the floor, with no curled edges or corners, as these present trip hazards.” 

The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) recommends 12 to 15 linear feet of matting to remove 85 to 90 percent of tracked-in dirt and moisture. CRI bases this on the average pedestrian stride (about 2.5 feet) and the need for three points of contact with the matting surface to effectively clean shoes. For entrances that experience high foot traffic or those exposed to harsh weather, CRI recommends aiming for 15 to 25 feet of coverage to stop up to 90 percent of tracked-in soil and moisture. 

“Mats are very important to maintain the integrity of floors,” says Jerry Flug, Founder of HRA Consulting Group, Virginia Beach, Virginia. "They keep entryways looking clean and prevent dirt, moisture, and debris from being tracked into the facility, which will also help maintain healthy IAQ. They're a must.” 

Mats are not a set-it-and-forget-it tool for facility cleaning teams. They must be placed properly and maintained regularly to be effective. For example, scraper mats should be placed outside of entryway doors to scrap off large debris. Scraper/dryer mats should be placed immediately inside entryway doors to collect moisture. Those are both followed by finishing mats to remove finer debris and moisture.  

These mats must be inspected on a regular schedule, checking for excess debris, as well as wear patterns, rippling, curling edges, displacement, or other trip hazards. Rotating mats helps to even out wear and maintain their effectiveness.  

Regular scheduled cleaning should include vacuuming entrance and textile mats daily to remove dirt, dust, and debris before they can settle into the fibers. For heavy-traffic areas, multiple passes per day may be necessary. In addition to regular vacuuming schedules, cleaning teams should inspect mats for spills or stains, which should be addressed immediately with mild detergent and water. Training in proper care is required to ensure the longevity of mats—harsh cleaners or bleach can degrade rubber and cause discoloration and should be avoided. 

That training should include how to identify when additional matting is needed and what that entails. For example, experts recommend that walk-off mats be deployed during wet weather conditions, but they should also be removed promptly when no longer needed.  

“These mats are intended for temporary use only, as a way to improve safety,” Martinez says, but stresses that they’ll need added attention. “During wet weather, walk-off mats should be inspected often to ensure they're not over-saturated, allowing water to pool or be tracked into the building to potentially create a slip hazard.”  

Another feature of entryway matting that lends itself to positive first impressions—if standards exist around branding—is that mats can be customized in proprietary colors and designed with logos to reinforce branding and design. 

As for any drawbacks to entryway mats, “The only thing is expense, but typically company culture trumps this concern, and mats are a minimal cost for a facility to look good,” says Flug. 

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Going Beyond Floors