Mats and the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)

The DDA applies to all premises that provide goods or services to the public, regardless of size or number of employees, and its main aim is to end discrimination towards the disabled in all situations, from employment to access.

The DDA states that, “reasonable provision shall be made for people to gain access and use the building and its facilities” So what does this really mean for sites?

In existing premises: Customers have to make reasonable adjustments to any physical features that may prevent or make it unreasonably difficult for disabled people to use their service. Physical features cover everything from steps and stairways, doors and gates, to furniture and floor coverings. But what is a reasonable adjustment? The DDA does not define what is reasonable, as this will vary with each case. The approach is one of common sense, with no set rulebook.

In new buildings: The current building regulations (Part M) that apply to new public buildings and refurbishments, state for entrance lobbies (section 2.29):

• Floor surfaces within the lobby do not impede the movement of wheelchairs and changes in floor materials do not create a potential trip hazard
• The floor surface helps to remove rainwater from shoes and wheelchairs 
• Where mat wells are provided, the surface of the mat is level with the surface of the adjacent floor finish

All the products in Treadsmarts serviced entrance mat range meet these criteria: the pile does not impede movement and mats sit securely on the floor surface. The mats are also designed to help prevent slips and trips by the very purpose of the product, i.e. by removing foot borne moisture to prevent slips and through product features such as the rubber edging, flush fitting matwell products to prevent trips etc.

BS8300 has also been introduced - this is the British Standard Technical Information Guide to accompany Part M of the building regulations, and this states

• Floor surfaces should be slip resistant to give a firm foothold and good wheel grip under all wet and dry conditions
• Surface laid rugs and mats other than where specifically designed and manufactured for use in an “entrance flooring system” should not be used
• The ingress of soil and surface moisture to buildings or their transfer between adjacent internal areas should be reduced to the lowest practicable level e.g. through the use of appropriate entrance flooring systems