Want a cleaner, greener building? The first step is starts at the entrance to your building. By using a walk-off matting system that includes exterior and interior matting, you can keep the majority of dirt out and costs down.
According to the ISSA (International Sanitary Supply Association) approximately 70% of floor soil is tracked in from outdoors by foot traffic. Once dirt makes its way inside, the Cleaning Management Institute estimates it costs $900.00 for each pound of dirt you remove. Add to that the issues encountered with winter weather. Snow, ice and ice melters can do heavy damage to both hard floors and carpets.
The Cleaning Management Institute recommends that you supply sufficient matting to allow a minimum of 6 steps prior to walking on building floors, regardless of floor type. A 12 to 15 foot length of matting will ensure that the majority of soil is removed from the soles of shoes.
Ideally, a combination of scraper and wiper mats will produce the best results for keeping heavy soil off of your floors. Scraper mats are textured and are used for scraping off heavy soil. Wiper mats are designed to wipe moisture and fine dust off the bottom of shoes.
The GS-42 standard from Green Seal requires 6 to 10 feet of scraper/wiper matting followed by 6 to 10 feet of wiper matting. The total of 12 to 20 feet of matting allows a minimum of 4 steps and a maximum of 6 to 7 steps. If the scraper/wiper matting is located in a 6 foot vestibule, there will be at least one additional step when opening the door before stepping inside to the wiper matting.CIMS-GB requires a total of 10 feet of matting at primary entrances, emergency exits are not included.
Walk-off matting is the first line of defense for maintaining a healthy, safe and clean building environment. But remember, keep your walk-off mats clean! If a mat is loaded with dirt it will cause more soil to be tracked onto floors – the opposite of what you’re trying to accomplish!
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