How Quality Commercial Mats Keep Schools Safe and Clean.

Having the right kind of quality commercial mats in school buildings is essential for creating a safe and clean environment for students and staff.

Safety First!

The top 5 causes of slips and falls, according to the CDC, are spills, ice, snow, rain, and loose mats. The CDC also says the best way to prevent slips and falls from spills, ice, snow, rain are quality commercial mats. So, it is very important that you have quality commercial mats that are certified high-traction by the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI). They should also be specifically designed to hold up in high-traffic areas and to trap moisture. When you have the correct commercial mats in your school, they can play an essential role in preventing slips and falls.

Cleanliness Starts at the Entrance!

90% of the dust in your school comes from outside, causing dirty floors and permanently damaging them. 70% to 80% of that dust is grime and dirt tracked in from the outside on students’ shoes. As few as 150 students entering your school per day can track in one pound of dirt in a 5-day school week. The national average public school student size of approximately 514 students is 3.5 lbs. per week.  Quality commercial mats are designed to capture as much as 85% to 95% of contaminants that enter your school at the door. By stopping the dirt at the door with quality commercial mats, you help maintain cleanliness daily, which helps keep classrooms and hallways looking their best all year round while also helping cut the cost of cleaning and floor maintenance.

If you are a school administrator or cleaning staff, you understand that investing in quality mats is an intelligent decision. When picking suitable mats for the perfect fit, finding a reputable supplier that manufactures mats specifically designed for high-traffic areas is essential.

Read on to learn more about the benefits of investing in professional mats for school buildings and why it’s a decision that will pay off in the long run.

Why Every School Needs to Invest in Floor Mats.

• Benefit #1: Prevents Slips and Falls
  • Accidents at school occur daily, and most of them are resolved with a quick trip to the school nurse. Accidents, like slips and falls, can be much more severe. Slips and falls are surprisingly common in U.S. schools. Slips and fall-related accidents involving children account for 2.8 million trips to the emergency room every year, according to the CDC. That’s why it is crucial to place quality commercial school floor mats anywhere there is a possibility for a spill or tracking in water or ice.
• Benefit #2: Reduce the amount of Dust in Your School
  • By capturing 95% of contaminants that enter your school at the door, you can significantly reduce the spread of dust throughout your school. By doing this, school floormats help keep classrooms and hallways neat and tidy daily. It also helps with air quality.
• Benefit #3: Cut Cleaning Cost
  • Since the floor mats stop the spread of dust, you have less dust to find and remove.
  • According to the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA), the cost of removing a single pound of dirt from a building can exceed $600. This includes the cost of cleaning supplies and equipment, and the labor required to remove the dirt properly.
• Benefit #4: Reduces Maintenance Costs
  • Without adequate matting, 42% of a floor’s finish can be removed within the first six feet of an entrance after only 1,500 people have walked in.
• Benefit #5: Enhances the Aesthetic of Your School Building
  • Mats come in various colors and styles, so you can choose one that best fits the aesthetic of your school building. Whether you want to add a pop of color or keep it classic and neutral, there are plenty of options to choose from.
• Benefit #6: School Spirit 
  • Using school logo mats adds to school spirit and pride while still having all the benefits of quality commercial mats.

Where Should Floor Mats Be Placed in Schools?

The benefits of investing in high-quality, durable floor mats for schools are apparent. But where should you place them to ensure you take full advantage of their benefits? Let’s break down some places where mats should be placed – and the types of mats you should use in each area.

• 1. All Entrances
  • The entrances of your school are some of the busiest areas and the largest source of dirt, so the best practice is to place an outdoor mat just outside of the door and an indoor mat just inside the door at all entrances. By utilizing a combination of outdoor and indoor mats of at least 10’ to 15’ as recommended by the U.S. Green Building Council and the Carpet and Rug Institute, you can capture 85% to 95% of contaminants, saving maintenance dollars and protecting school assets.
  • Best outdoor mats: Incredible Logo Mat, WaterHog Drainable. Super Scrape
  • Best indoor mats: WaterHog Mats, MicroLuxx Commercial Floor Mats, Super Berber Entry Mat
  • Best Indoor Logo mats: Super Berber Custom Logo Entrance Mats, WaterHog Impressions HD, ColorStar Impressions HD
• 2. Cafeterias and Lunchrooms
  • For cafeterias and lunchrooms, you’ll want to choose mats that are easy to clean and maintain. In the serving area and drink dispensing area, to capture any spillage, use carpeted mats made with PET carpet or all-rubber mats.
  • Best floor mats for Cafeterias and lunchrooms: ColorStar Commercial Entrance Mats, SuperScrape
• 3. Gymnasiums
  • Gymnasium entrances are another high traffic potential. With a high priority of keeping dirt and grime off your expensive gym floor. Keeping the dust off the gym floor provides a safe court that helps your athletes perform at their best while prolonging the court surface.
  • Best mats for gymnasiums: WaterHog Mats, MicroLuxx Commercial Floor Mats.
  • Best logo mats option: WaterHog Impressions HD, ColorStar Impressions HD Logo Mats
• 4. Locker Rooms and Restrooms
  • Locker rooms and restrooms can be major slip areas with all the water from sinks and showers. It would be best if you had the most absorbent mats to really trap and hold the water.
  • Best mats for locker rooms and restrooms: WaterHog Mats, MicroLuxx Commercial Floor Mats
  • Best logo mats option: Incredible Logo Mat, WaterHog Impressions HD.
• 5. Water Fountains
  • Water fountains are often overlooked when placing a floor mat. This is a big mistake.  Water fountains are in the hallways where students are hurrying to class; a small wet spill can surprise them as their feet slip out from under them. Be sure to protect the hallway traffic from this hazard with a floor mat under the water fountain.
  • Best: MicroLuxx Commercial Floor Mats

Keep Your School Safe and Clean with Mats from Ultimate Mats!

Investing in quality floor mats for your school today will pay off in the long run.

Having professional mats installed throughout your school building can reduce slips and falls and keep dirt and debris out of high-traffic areas. So don’t wait any longer—take steps towards creating a safe, clean environment for everyone by investing in quality mats today!

Want to find out how easy it is to get the mats your school needs? Check out School logo mats and School Floor Mats. Contact Ultimate Mats today, and our team of experts will guide you through the process – from helping you select the perfect mats for your facility to providing free samples. Get started today and give everyone in your school a safe and clean environment!