The Significance of Entry Flooring Systems

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

Peter J. Arsenault, FAIA, NCARB, LEED-AP

Buildings with pedestrian foot traffic that is concentrated at specific entrances are prone to have those pedestrians carry a lot of dirt on their shoes and rain water on their bodies as they enter those buildings. The dirt may either build up near the entrance or more likely get carried throughout the building as those people walk to their specific destinations. The water may tend to be deposited near the entrance but that means a potential slipping hazard is created. If it mixes with the dirt, then it is more likely to be carried to other parts of the building and create real cleaning challenges throughout. Entrance flooring systems have been recognized as an effective solution to these problems. Designed and installed properly, they help assure clean interior environments, reduce slip hazards, and reduce the need for flooring maintenance overall.

Design Principles for Entrance Flooring

Many building owners who are involved in maintaining them are often the drivers behind the decision to include entrance flooring systems. If they have any experience in keeping floors throughout a building clean at all, they know that flooring maintenance alone can account for up to 60 percent of total building maintenance costs. Sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, waxing and repairing are some of the activities that maintenance staff must conduct on a daily basis just to keep the floors reasonably clean and safe. In fact it is estimated that over a 10-year span, building owners will spend more than eight times the original flooring purchase price on maintaining those floors. Entrance flooring systems can help dramatically reduce some of this activity, thus reducing the associated maintenance costs over time. The reasoning is simple—stop the dirt at the entrance and it doesn't get carried to other areas, thus keeping other floors cleaner and easier to maintain. The old adage applies succinctly here—an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The relatively small entrance area prevents a lot of the dirt from being carried to the rest of the building, thus saving the heavy work of having to clean it throughout the building.

Photo courtesy of Forbo Flooring Systems

Risk management and liability are also strong drivers for using entrance flooring systems. Building entrances are common sites of slip and fall accidents either because of wet or poorly maintained floors. People who slip on these floors and are hurt often bring lawsuits against the building owner and their insurance companies. It is not uncommon for them to claim large amounts of money as just compensation for injuries, loss of income, pain and suffering among other things. Entrance flooring systems can reduce the likelihood of such accidents by helping to control the build-up of water and keep the entrance floor surface more slip resistant.

Whatever the final reasons are to include an entrance flooring system in a building, properly designing a successful one starts with understanding how it works. From a purely functional stand point, entrance flooring systems need to accomplish four things. These are referred to as the four “R's” of an entrance flooring system. First it must remove dirt, soil and debris from shoes or boots as people enter a building. It does this typically through intentionally irregular shapes in the surface of the flooring to help create friction and clean against the footwear. Second, it must collect and retain the dirt and debris in the flooring to prevent other people from tracking it into the building. Then when the flooring is cleaned or vacuumed, it must readily release the collected and retained dirt and debris to prevent it from being saturated and unable to function as intended. Finally, the entrance flooring must be able to recover as a product so that it continually looks good and functions properly. When evaluating entrance flooring products from different manufacturers, then, it will be important to question how well they each accomplish all four of these functions. If a product doesn't have a successful track record for doing all four of these R's then it will not be effective at achieving the intended maintenance and risk management goals.

Determining where to locate entrance flooring systems in a building is more than just deciding to put it inside the entry door. Instead a comprehensive design is based on identifying and addressing the typical entrance zones of a building. There are commonly three such entrance zones as follows:

Zone 1: This is the very first area of defense against foot-borne soil and water being carried into the building. It is ideally located right outside the building to prevent soil from ever entering the building at all. Where that is not practical, it can also be located immediately inside the doorway. Either way, this is the location to choose the most effective entrance flooring system relative to the degree of foot traffic encountered.

Zone 2: This may be a vestibule or other extended entry area that is immediately beyond the zone 1 entrance area. A secondary entrance flooring system or a continuation of the primary one may be installed here to address soil and water not picked up in zone 1.

Zone 3: As people move out of the defined entrance area, they are typically directed into a lobby or other common area. To be sure that the maximum possible soil and water is removed it may be desirable to extend a form of entrance flooring system in this zone. In certain parts of the country, building owners who have not done this find they resort to using separate entry rugs or mats placed on top of the floor and have them cleaned regularly. These removable mats are not always attractive or consistent with the design intent of the building, nor are they always functional if they become saturated due to high use or bad weather. Selecting and designing a permanent product in this area will help avoid those limitations and improve the appearance overall.

The three common entrance zones of a building. Image courtesy of Forbo Flooring Systems

 

The rest of the building: While not an entrance zone, the area throughout the rest of the building can be covered with any of the hundreds of flooring products available. It won't receive entrance flooring but will benefit from being cleaner, safer and better looking than it might have been otherwise without the entrance flooring system in place.

Each of these zones should be looked at during the design phase to determine where each of the boundaries could be located to be the most effective for a particular project or building. It is important to note that different buildings will of course have different needs in terms of usage and zones. An elementary school for example will have different specific entrance flooring needs than an office building will while both of them will have different specific needs from an industrial facility. Nonetheless, all applications can benefit from this simple quick analysis of the entrance zones to determine the best type and style of entrance flooring to design with and specify.

Within the flooring industry, there are two common types of entrance flooring systems available from manufacturers. A rigid grid mat system usually made of aluminum with walking surface material incorporated is what most people think of when talking about entrance flooring systems. These are available in a variety of configurations and usage ratings and may be most appropriate for zone 1 and 2 applications. However, there are also systems which are heavy-duty textile-based mat systems that have a more carpet-like appearance. These are particularly well suited to zone 2 and 3 applications and can provide attractive and effective performance in an extended entrance area of a building. Within each of these types there are options, variations and customization opportunities, but all must first be rated to comply with prevailing codes and standards for entrance, egress and handicapped accessibility.

Applicable Codes and Standards

The collection of codes published by the International Code Council (ICC) includes the Building Code and Fire Code which address in detail the requirements for safety and slip resistance in means of egress which often may include a building entrance as well. This is also often true for jurisdictions that have adopted their own localized or state codes. Essentially, any area that is part of an exit that does not have slip resistance accounted for in the floor is not only out of compliance with the codes, it can be dangerous or fatal in emergency situations. The entrance flooring system can clearly contribute to helping achieve a code-compliant and safe condition then. While this is the appropriate starting point, there are also a number of other applicable standards that come into play and need to be addressed whenever specifying and designing entrance flooring systems:

Entrance flooring systems can be specified to meet handicapped accessibility requirements. Photo courtesy of Forbo Flooring Systems

Handicapped Accessibility
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sets out specific requirements for barrier-free environments including unobstructed paths of travel. Much of this has been codified in American National Standard ICC A117.1 (the Standard) which is appended to most building codes as the prescriptive requirements to achieve such barrier-free environments. Chapter 3 of this standard specifically addresses floor surfaces which includes entrance flooring systems. Section 302 indicates that flooring must first be stable, firm and slip resistant. For carpeted systems, it requires that edges are secured, that the height is limited and addresses the texture, all of which are achievable in entrance flooring systems. In cases where there are openings, such as in rigid grid mat systems, openings in the surface must not allow passage of a 1/2-inch diameter sphere. Where these openings are elongated as is typical in entrance flooring mats then they must be perpendicular to the direction of travel which is the common and recommended manner of installing them.

Changes in level are addressed in Section 303 of the Standard. This would apply to the edges of entrance flooring systems over which people are walking or riding a wheelchair. The maximum allowed vertical rise is 1/4 inch which can be increased to 1/2 inch if the edges are beveled with a slope of no more than 1:2 on the bevel. Most entrance flooring systems can readily accommodate these requirements, although some do require a recessed floor slab in order to remain level and flush with the surrounding path of travel or within the 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch limitations.

Textile-Based Mats At Princeton University Store, Princeton, New Jersey

The Princeton University Store in Princeton, New Jersey, is exposed to high volumes of student and visitor foot traffic on a daily basis. John Augustine, the University Store manager, needed a solution to stop large amounts of dirt and moisture from being walked into the store each day. A textile-based entry flooring mat system was selected as a solution. Six months after installation, the manufacturer sent a representative to visit the University Store to inspect the flooring, which was now dirty from heavy use. A quick cleaning with a residential-grade vacuum cleaner revealed the impact of using this textile-based system at the store entrance—literally piles of dirt and debris were removed. The textile entrance flooring not only prevented the dirt from being walked into the store, it also reduced the facility’s cleaning and maintenance costs directly. Further, they have lowered the risk of slip and fall incidents. After six months of heavy daily use, the textile flooring performed extremely well on all four R’s. The condition of the mat before cleaning (see photo A) showed that it effectively removed dirt from shoes and retained it in the mat. The use of a common vacuum cleaner (see photo B) and the resulting piles of dirt that were collected (see photo C) attested to the ability of the flooring to first retain a considerable quantity of dirt and then release it when cleaned. When complete, the cleaned textile-based mat was able to recover quite well, was ready for continued use and still looked great (see photo D). Altogether, the University Store and the manufacturer were very pleased with the performance and the results of this installation. There are of course other accessibility requirements for paths of travel including doorways, obstructions, etc. and those will need to be coordinated in the overall design. There is nothing about the entrance flooring system, however, that should impair or impede that coordinated design effort. Photos courtesy of Forbo Flooring Systems

 

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Consistent with this federal agency's mission of protecting workers, they have identified requirements for walking surfaces and means of egress. Entrance systems that fall within these areas can be shown to be compliant with OSHA regulations as long as they are properly installed and maintained.

ASTM F1637 Standard Practice for Safe Walking Surfaces
The American Society of Testing Materials produces many standard specifications for numerous things related to design and construction. In the case of walking surfaces, ASTM F1637 is the published standard available. It addresses indoor and outdoor walking surfaces indicating that walkway surfaces shall be stable, planar, flush and even to the extent possible. It goes on to say that walking surfaces shall be slip resistant under expected environmental conditions and use. It also states that when wet conditions are reasonably foreseeable, then an abrasive additive, grooving, texturing or other appropriate means shall be incorporated to render the surface slip resistant. This is where entrance flooring systems can readily address these concerns and allow for the removal and retention of water that is removed when the system is cleaned. Similar to the handicapped accessibility standards, this ASTM standard calls for changes in level along the edges that are either 1/4-inch maximum when vertical or 1/2-inch maximum where they are beveled at a slope not to exceed 1:2.

Carpet systems are addressed in this standard as well with predictable requirements for it to be firmly secured and seams maintained all in the interest of avoiding pedestrian hazards. More significantly, this standard states: “Building entrances shall be provided with mats or runners, or other means to help remove foreign particles and other contaminants from the bottom of pedestrian footwear. Mats should be provided to minimize foreign particles that may become dangerous to pedestrians particularly on hard smooth floors, from being tracked on floors.” This language is exactly consistent with the design intent and purpose of entrance flooring systems. It goes on to address water by saying “Mats at building entrances also may be used to control the spread of precipitation onto floor surfaces, reducing the likelihood of the floors becoming slippery.” There is clearly recognition that the use of entrance flooring system mats will contribute to a safer walking condition when the surface becomes wet. Finally, this standard indicates the importance of good design principles. “Mats shall be of sufficient design, area and placement to control tracking of contaminants into buildings. Safe practice requires that mats be installed and maintained to avoid tracking water off the last mat onto floor surfaces. Mats, runners and area rugs shall be provided with safe transition from adjacent surfaces and shall be fixed in place or provided with slip-resistant backing.” The ability for entrance flooring systems to be secured in place during construction makes them a superior choice over removable entrance mats or runners.

Clearly, then, there are numerous sources of requirements and safety standards that can be consulted on for entrance flooring systems. It is important that the architect as designer and specifier understands and addresses these standards as part of the entrance design. However it is common for manufacturers of entrance flooring systems to be keenly familiar with all of them and design their products accordingly.

LEED® Standards for Green Buildings
The green building movement in this country has given rise to quantifiable rating systems that seek to establish specific levels of achievement in the creation and performance of green buildings. The best known of these green building rating systems has been developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and is known as the LEED rating system. This is actually a family of ratings that apply to different building situations (e.g. new or existing buildings, core and shell, interiors) and in some cases building types (schools, health care, retail, homes, etc.). All of the LEED rating systems have been subject to ongoing changes and updates since their inception, but the basic categories of defining green buildings have remained the same across the different versions over time.

One of the key areas of the LEED rating systems is Indoor Environmental Quality. Within that portion, consideration for credit is specifically given to buildings that include “walk-off” flooring systems that remove dirt and other contaminants as a way to control indoor pollutant sources. Metal grid mat systems have consistently been recognized for their ability to meet this requirement and obtain LEED credit. However, there is currently some debate about accepting textile-based systems, so that should be verified through a credit interpretation request (CIR) to the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) an independent administrator of the LEED program for the USGBC.

Beyond the indoor pollutant control credit, it is possible that entrance flooring systems may contribute to other LEED credits such as recycled content and regional materials. Those will need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Peter J. Arsenault, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP, practices, consults and writes about sustainable design and practice solutions nationwide. www.linkedin.com/in/pjaarch

Textile entrance mats can be custom designed with colors, and even logos and patterns. Photo courtesy of Forbo Flooring Systems

Specifying Entrance Flooring Systems

In writing specifications for entrance flooring systems, the first thing to determine is which type is appropriate to your particular project. Of course, it may be that both grid mat systems and textile mat systems have a place in the final design. Nonetheless, here are some guidelines for each.

Textile Mat Systems
A good quality textile entrance matting system incorporated into entry zones provides a very effective way to stop up to 90 percent of walked in dirt and moisture in addition to the corresponding cleaning cost saving in the rest of the building. Manufacturers offer a range of solutions for different building applications and entrance zones.

Specifying this type of entry system means to call for the best possible fabric type. Common carpeting fabric such as wool or cotton which are staple fibers tend to fray or wear in heavy use. More commonly, manufactured bulk continuous filaments (BCF) are more suitable to entrance mat systems since they are made from single continuous strands that are not prone to fraying. They also perform very well when it comes to other features such as wear, compression, recovery, and dirt/stain resistance. They are easy to clean and can be anti-static, fire resistant and color fast all while holding up against rot and deterioration over time. Note that different BCF choices will provide different results. Polypropylene and polyester for example do not provide good fire resistance and do not perform as well on compression. Polyamide does not have these shortcomings.

Pile type selection is also significant in specifying textile entrance mat systems. Just like carpet, the common choices are looped pile or cut pile. In terms of addressing the four R's, cut pile performs better in all cases. The open nature of cut pile allows it to act like a broom across the bottom of shoes and wheeled entrance traffic. These open areas make it easy for the dirt to fall into the openings and be retained deep in the fabric. When vacuumed, the open nature of the fabric again allows the release of dirt, debris and moisture out of the deep recesses. Finally, the cut pile is restored better by a brush vacuum than looped pile since it can more fully be extended and opened up.

Recognizing the need to work with a variety of interior design schemes, manufacturers offer a significant array of color choices for textile entrance mat systems. How that color is added is important, though, since two processes are typically used. Solution-dyed fibers are colored all the way through meaning that they are very resistant to wear in heavy traffic and use patterns. Space-dyed fibers offer more color choices, but are only surface applied, meaning they may wear off sooner. It is possible to work with manufacturers to have custom coloring and shapes or even company logos created in these entrance mat systems. For areas where there is a heightened risk of fire or as required for code egress requirements, textile mats can be supplied with a flame retardant latex backing.

Different weights and configurations of textile mat systems can be used in all types of entrance areas which make it an ideal solution when an entrance flooring system is needed that can simultaneously absorb moisture and remove dry soiling. Research has shown that after as few as just two steps across textile systems they can absorb almost 50 percent of foot-borne moisture. Alongside its excellent moisture absorbing properties, textile mats actively scrape dirt off the soles of shoes when the proper fabric is specified. In some cases, an alternating pattern of densities can retain 10 percent more dirt in the first few yards than any other textile entrance flooring system, which makes it an ideal choice for smaller entrances. Some textile systems are available with a rich pile height and luxurious appearance such that they don't look like a traditional matting system. Nonetheless, they are in fact an ideal clean-off solution for light to medium traffic areas where aesthetic appeal is a top priority. These features make it particularly well suited to entrance lobbies, corridors and reception areas. Because of its luxurious look and feel, this deceptive soil and moisture barrier blends particularly well with other carpeted areas of the building.

At the other end of the spectrum, a very coarse and heavy duty or medium duty textile system is also available from manufacturers. They recognize that to get the most out of an entrance flooring system, it often pays to start outside by scraping the soles of shoes and the treads of wheeled traffic before they even cross the threshold, thus removing the largest particles of soil at the earliest opportunity. In these situations a versatile non-woven clean-off barrier mat can be specified. These systems include the addition of granulated PVC chips that help to create a slip resistant surface.

When looking at green attributes of textile mat systems, it is indeed possible to specify products that are made substantially from recycled material. At least one manufacturer takes great pride in their achievement of virtually zero landfill material leaving their advanced and environmentally conscious manufacturing plant. Some are even certified as green products by independent third parties, making them all the more attractive and desirable in many buildings.

Finally, many of the best textile mat systems carry substantial warranties of up to 5 years. When evaluating products of this type, it is worth looking at these warranties to see what is and what is not covered and specify accordingly.

Rigid Grid Mat Systems
Similar to textile mat systems, manufacturers offer a wide range of rigid grid mats. These are a bit more involved in that they are designed with a rigid metal grid and are intended to be recessed into a concrete or other floor. They typically consist of a metal perimeter frame that receives a series of individual metal pieces that are fit together in various ways. In between or on top of these metal components, clean off material of different types are installed. As such, these systems are all custom-made to suit a particular building and provide an outstanding first line of defense against soil and moisture entering a building particularly in zones 1 and 2.

Single sided rigid grid entrance mats include a rigid carrier section and an infill material for removing and retaining dirt and moisture. Photo courtesy of Forbo Flooring Systems

 

There are two generic types of rigid grid mats—single and double sided. The term single sided system means that the metal pieces are rigid carriers that are intended to have clean off material inlaid on only one side (i.e. the top or exposed side). Very often, that clean off material is the same fiber as used in textile mat systems that can be color coordinated with other entrance textile mats. This allows the designer to address the different needs in different zones but still allow for products that are perfectly matched. Rubber inlays are also available, which allow rigid grid mats to be used outside. In any combination, they offer a contemporary and cost effective system that creates a relatively low profile with a variety of colors. They are an ideal solution in high traffic entrance areas where aesthetic considerations are paramount since single sided rigid mats are generally attractive, tough and versatile. Generally, the carrier sections are 100% recycled, extruded aluminum joined together by rubber connecting strips that rest fully on a concrete recess. This configuration allows heavy loads to be spread across the concrete and offers long lasting effective performance in demanding locations.

Double-sided rigid grid entrance mats are assembled with alternating sections of scraper bars and wiper strips in either a closed (bottom center photo) or open (top right photo) format. Images courtesy of Forbo Flooring Systems

 

Heavy-duty rigid grid entrance mats are available for buildings that have material and wheeled traffic in addition to foot traffic. Photo courtesy of Forbo Flooring Systems

Double sided rigid grid mats are designed to have alternating strips of metal scraper bars and cleaning material (called wiper strips) both of which are exposed to the top and bottom. This means that the mats can literally be turned over and used on both sides as needed or desired. This type of system has the durability, strength and structural integrity to deliver excellent performance and appearance retention in very heavy traffic locations and where high levels of soil have to be removed from the soles of shoes and wheel treads. Each rigid grid mat is assembled of aluminum (typically 100 percent recycled), brass or PVC metal scraper bars that alternate with wiper strips made of rubber or fiber composite. Wiper strips can be specified in both single and double format. Double format offers twice the wiping area to increase moisture absorption over a shorter distance. The wiper strips and scraper bars can be assembled in either a closed construction with no open spaces or an open construction sequence meaning that there are visible spaces for soil and water to drop down below the mat. A closed construction is suitable for both interior and transitional areas where soil removed from shoes and wheel treads is collected and retained only within the mat itself. An open construction provides more storage capacity for wet and dry soil since removed particles and moisture can fall through the open sections in the mat. Either way, they are typically strung together with high-tensile galvanized steel wire linkages that run through these alternating scraper and wiper components.

Heavy-duty double-sided grid mats are also available and suitable where heavy-duty loads and intense pedestrian and/or wheeled traffic are to be catered to. These systems typically have a closed construction and a level surface for ease of movement of wheeled vehicles. Heavy-duty scraper bars are commonly formed by linking together two specially designed aluminum strips. These are combined with double wiper strips to create a heavy-duty mat with a thicker, heavier profile than standard products. Heavy-duty grid systems are also available for fire sensitive locations on building interiors. Hence, they are very well suited to entrances that have heavy point loading situations but need the fire protection of an egress area as well.

Warranties on rigid grid systems will vary but are available for as long as 15 years (except for PVC components). It is clear that these are the workhorses of entrance flooring systems with a range of durability to suit different building conditions.

Installation, Cleaning and Maintenance

A high-quality installation is of utmost importance for a trouble free and durable lifetime expectancy of the flooring material. Since so many things about entrance flooring systems are custom and may vary between manufacturers, it is important to consult the instructions, recommendations, and directions from those manufacturers regarding proper installation, cleaning and maintenance. Nonetheless, there are a number of common points to be aware of and include in specifications.

Textile systems will generally be installed like most carpet systems requiring the usual subfloor preparation and installation using a glue-down or other method of attachment. If necessary, the subfloor may be leveled with a cement based leveling compound. The subfloor should be smooth, rigid, clean and permanently dry. Lay out the acclimatized material (at least 60 degrees F) on a smooth horizontal surface and allow it to relax at recommended temperature and time before precutting it. Cut off the edges leaving 3/8-in. extra on each side before a butt jointed installation.

Carefully follow the instructions provided by the supplier of the adhesive. Acrylic adhesives usually are evenly applied to the substrate only. A waiting time should be considered before the flooring is placed and pressed into the adhesive. Usually this is achieved when the adhesive shows “tackiness” at normal conditions (room temperature, average moisture), typically after. 10 minutes of installation. After laying the textile material in the adhesive bed use a (hand) roller to improve firm adhesion.

Pressure sensitive adhesive (contact adhesive) is applied to both the substrate and the flooring material, usually with a texture roller to obtain a maximum adhesive surface area. Be aware that pressure sensitive adhesives require an extended drying time before the materials can be attached, especially the water based types. Check the producer's instructions to find out detailed information. Transition strips to make transitions between the entrance floor and other types of floor coverings, such as resilient or carpet floors may be needed and should be specified accordingly. These strips are commonly available in a palette of colors that match the colors of manufacturer's flooring collections.

Rigid grid mats will require coordination with the concrete work to be sure that the recessed well is properly located and sized according to the design intent. The local installer will need to field measure and verify the size of the concrete recess to be sure the custom sized grid mats will fit properly. The perimeter frame is then installed and the single or double sided rigid grid mats are laid in place.

Once installed, the entrance floor systems will begin doing their job and start removing and retaining dirt and moisture. That means they will need to be cleaned to allow that dirt and moisture to be released as intended. It is essential to remove dry soiling at least once a day. The most effective method is to use vacuum cleaners that incorporate a mechanically driven rotating brush or suction-only machines with a rotating brush attachment. Vacuum slowly and in all directions across the matting, to get the full effect of the combined suction and brushing.

High-traffic areas may need additional attention to remove concentrated surface soiling and reduce the appearance of “traffic lanes.” This can be done using a dry extraction method that uses a moist compound impregnated with water, detergent and safe-to-use solvents. Alternatively, a cylindrical brush extraction method can be used. This approach uses machines with counter-rotating brushes, but this time a recommended carpet cleaning solution is brushed into the pile and the dirty water returned straight to the machine.

As with all flooring systems, any spills or spot producing items should be cleaned up right away. Gently clear away the spillage from the surface with a blunt scraper. Treat what is left of the spillage with a recommended carpet spot cleaner, rinse with clean water, and allow the surface to dry.

At regularly scheduled intervals, the matting should be treated with a deeper cleaning process called “spray extraction.” This removes soiling from the base of the pile and restores the surface texture to optimize its “clean-off” performance. Factors like the type and amount of traffic, as well as the effectiveness of daily and regular cleaning routines will govern how often this deep cleaning is needed. This process can be carried out using either a spray extraction machine or a 3-in-1 spray and brush machine. When wet cleaning is not possible a powder cleaning is the best solution.

This combination of daily vacuuming, regular washing and deep cleaning will keep the entrance flooring systems in optimum condition to function properly and look good for years to come.

Conclusion

Including an entrance flooring system in buildings with pedestrian and wheeled traffic yields many benefits to the owners and users of that building. Reduced maintenance costs, reduced chance of slipping and falling, cleaner indoor environments, and great appearances are among the reasons to include them. Designing complete systems that address the four R's of removal, retainage, release and recovery in each of the common entry zones of a building assure a comprehensive design. Finally, specifying the appropriate details for either a textile mat or rigid grid system or both will maximize and optimize both function and appearance. When designed, specified and installed properly, architects, owners and building occupants all benefit from the proper attention to this very active portion of a building—entrances.

Peter J. Arsenault, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP, practices, consults and writes about sustainable design and practice solutions nationwide. www.linkedin.com/in/pjaarch

 

Forbo Flooring Systems is the global market leader in linoleum floor coverings, with Marmoleum owning a market share of over 60%. Forbo also produces high-quality vinyl and resilient textile floor coverings and entrance system solutions. Forbo is committed to environmentally responsible production and to far-reaching customer service. www.forboflooringna.com