But the right entrance matting in the appropriate quantities, securely fixed and regularly maintained, can help to create safe, clean and inclusive entrances to shopping centres and retail outlets.

Historically, most shopping centres have been constructed with some form of matwell in place. However, as health & safety has become more prominent and as pressure has mounted to satisfy the latest standards, barrier matting has become a more pertinent issue because of the risk of slips and trips.

During dry weather, the risk of slipping is generally minimal. However, throughout wetter periods, moisture and dirt can be transferred into shopping centres by pedestrian and wheeled traffic on footwear, umbrellas, pushchairs and wheelchairs, so it's important that shopping centres have sufficient and suitable matting in place.

A combination of primary and secondary matting is particularly effective and can provide an attractive, functional barrier solution. Primary matting can be used internally and externally to retain wet and dry debris at the point of entry to the building. Secondary carpet provides an additional barrier to combat residual dirt and moisture, thanks to its scrape-off cleaning function and moisture retention properties.

In terms of quantities, there is guidance available from the Entrance Flooring Suppliers Association (EFSA), and as a matting specialist Gradus recommends a mat measuring a minimum of 6ft or 2m from front to back. However, a 'one size fits all' approach is inappropriate for shopping centres because of the volume of traffic, its constant flow and the nature of the building. Matting in such environments often needs to be twice the size as a result. Many centres have traditionally used loose-lay throw-down laundered mats on wet days, which offer flexibility of use and ease of cleaning. However, the mats can move and crumple, becoming potential trip hazards in their own right, which is why they are increasingly frowned upon as a matting solution.

An alternative option recommended by Gradus is to extend existing matwells, in order to increase the size of the primary entrance mat. This can be achieved by digging out the matwell. Alternatively, a more cost-effective solution is to adhere a secondary barrier mat to the existing floor. Ramping strips can then be fitted around the edges to form a safe transition and ensure ease of access, in line with the duties outlined in the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and to comply with health & safety requirements, detailed in the Building Regulations 2000. This means that the secondary mat is surface mounted but permanently fixed, eliminating the risk of mat movement. Plus, it can be easily replaced and cleaned in-situ, as part of regular maintenance programmes.

By preventing dirt and moisture from being tracked into a shopping centre, barrier matting can help to minimise the building's cleaning and maintenance requirements, and extend the lifecycle of adjoining floorcoverings.

The performance of any matting depends on how well it is maintained, as even the best quality mat will become ineffective if dirt and debris are allowed to build up. Matting should be vacuumed daily, as should the matwell, depending on the mat's structure.

Periodic deep cleaning together with the use of certain detergents to remove heavy stains is also advisable. The frequency and type of cleaning required is determined by the level of traffic and amount of soiling.

When specified correctly, barrier matting can help to create safe, clean and inclusive shopping environments, by minimising floor moisture to prevent slips and trips, as well as ensuring an inclusive environment, giving access to all building users.

l Lynette Bowden is marketing manager at Gradus Accessories

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