Entrance matting systems from 3M and Emco Bau play a vital role in contributing to a pleasant reception environment and long-lasting protection of the floor and floor coverings
Dirt and water are tracked into building premises on a daily basis, resulting in an unsightly situation that can also be costly to clean. The situation can become potentially dangerous, especially in high-traffic areas due to slip and fall accidents.
The overall strategy to keep any facility clean is simple and effective, based on primarily preventive measures followed by subsequent corrective measures. Entrance matting systems are preventive measures that can be adopted to keep interiors clean.
“3M is committed to protecting health, improving safety and promoting a better environment through sustainable practices. Less dirt and water entering a facility means an improvement in overall appearance, longer life of the floor surfaces and reduction in interior maintenance cost. The very fact that dirt is not allowed to come inside helps to save on water and chemicals required for cleaning,” said Syed Ameen, sales specialist of 3M’s Commercial Care, Safety, Security and Protection Services.
3M’s first and second line of defense
3M’s Nomad Entrance Matting System consists of the Scraper Matting and the Carpet Matting systems, with each system doing its specific job of helping to keep the facility clean. The outdoor and foyer Nomad Scraper Matting System comprises different mats that form 3M’s first line of defense against dirt and sand by scraping dirt, sand particles and moisture off shoes. The Nomad Carpet Matting system designed for indoor use consists of different kinds of carpet matting that form 3M’s second line of defense, as they remove any remnants of moisture and small dirt particles that are not removed by the outdoor scraper matting.
According to Syed, the advantage of a 3M Nomad Scraper Matting system is its capability of removing up to 72 percent more dirt and water than other traditional matting.
“Selecting the right entrance matting is critical to help ensure the safety of your buildings’ occupants, keeping your entranceway visually appealing and reducing your cleaning costs,” he adds3M Nomad
Aqua Plus Matting 8500
3M has now come up with a new product, the 3M Nomad Aqua Plus Matting, which is an innovative, drop-down, patented entrance matting that features a unique, triple layer to stop dirt and moisture in its tracks.
The triple layer consists of a water-draining fleece securely bonded to a dual fiber-top surface with a permeable and water resistant adhesive layer – a 3D void structure that allows for greater water absorbency and minimizes retracking. Hence, the Nomad Aqua Plus 8500 consists of a polyamide loop pile dual-fibre tuft made of fine absorbing fibres and texturised coarse fibres, bonded to a draining, mildew resistant, polyester fleece.
3M states that the matting’s strong PVC profileedges and PVC backing are designed to allow safe traffic, as high as 1500 to 5000 crossings per day. “It is recommended to add profile edges to allow safe traffic,” informs Ameen.
The Nomad Aqua Plus mats can be routinely cleaned using a beater-brush type vacuum cleaner for best results, while intermediate cleaning can be carried out with a horizontal mechanical brush. Periodic thorough cleaning can be carried out using the injection extraction cleaning process, though care should be taken to see that the maximum temperature of the cleaning solution should not exceed more than 50°C. Frequent spot-cleaning should include the removal of chewing gum.
3M Nomad Contamination Control Mat 4300
3M has also come up with the Nomad Contamination Control Mats meant to maintain a dust free environment. The mats are free of silicone and plasticizers that are usually added to soften polymers. The mat consists of multiple layers of adhesive-coated, clear polyethylene sheets attached to a vinyl backing. The backing adheres to the floor, while the tacky top surface removes dirt and dust contaminants from the bottom of shoes and baggage wheels.
3M states that this mat is ideal for work areas that require high levels of cleanliness such as clean rooms of hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry.
In fact, due to the mat’s ability to trap fine particles, the Nomad Contamination Control Mat 4300 is an effective tool to assist facilities in getting ISO14644-1 certification for clean rooms.
Overall, the installation of 3M Nomad Matting systems helps any upcoming project to contribute to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system from the United States Green Building Council.
Loveleen Raval, Green Building Coordinator at the Middle East Center for Sustainable Development (MECSD), says that 3M fulfill all the criteria that are required of entryway systems by LEED.
The requirement of IEQc5 of LEED NCv2.2 (Credit 5 of LEED for New Construction Version 2.2) specifications stipulate that a facility needs to employ permanent entryway systems, at least six feet long, in the primary direction of travel to capture dirt and particulates from entering the building at entryways that are directly connected to the outdoors that serve as regular entry points for building users. Acceptable entryway systems include permanently installed grates, grilles, or slotted systems that allow for cleaning underneath. Roll-out mats are only acceptable when maintained on a weekly basis by a contracted service organization.
3M mats have recently been installed at the entrances of Mirdiff City Center, Dubai, Address Hotel Dubai Mall and the Address Hotel Marina Mall. 3M safety and anti-fatigue, work-area, safety-walk SAFE-TIGUE 5100 mats have also been installed at the Emirates Air lines Catering (EKFC).
Emco Bau’s 3-Zone cleaning concept
Similar in function to 3M’s first and second line of defense, is Emco Bau 3-zone cleaning concept. The 3-zone cleaning concept for dirt reduction at the entrance areas was introduced during the ISSA/Interclean Amsterdam, 2010 exhibition. The product comprises of entrance mat systems and clean-off floor coverings (cleaning runners), which absorb fine and damp dirt. Emco Bau recommends the 3-zone cleaning system as the best possible combination for systematically reducing dirt in entrance areas.
The company recommends a roll-up entrance mat system that forms the first two zones of this cleaning concept. The system comprises of functional inserts, which are positioned in warp-resistant aluminium profiles spaced at a distance of 5 mm. Following the principle of open cleaning, the rubbed-off dirt particles do not get stuck in the inserts, but fall through the gaps between the profiles, where they remain until the time they are cleaned. “This method effectively stops the carrying of dirt onwards by the other persons walking-up,” explains Achim Holzapfel, Sales Manager Export, Emco Bau.
Clean-off floor coverings (runners) are used in the third zone of the cleaning concept. These runners can be laid in a mat form as well as an area covering.
Unlike conventional dirt-repellent carpeting, clean-off coverings have special hollow fibres that absorb moisture and residual dirt very effectively, which are especially effective in absorbing dirt particles and transmitting them from the surface of the mat to the interior of the mat covering. This results in the reduction of dirt-carrying as well as the occurrence of unaesthetic footmarks. The Sales Manager adds, “This system has two major advantages: Reduction of slips and trips at the entrance areas and the protection of the flooring investment, which means that the flooring in the building can be protected against scratches by abrasive particles. For any floor covering, the purchase cost is only a tenth of the total life cycle cost. Cleaning and maintenance normally account for about 90 percent.”
