prEN 17210 “Accessibility and usability of the built environment – Functional requirements”, in its current state, focuses on functional requirements and recommendations for an accessible and usable built environment trying to enable the safe use for a wide range of users, including individuals with disabilities. The responsible Technical Committee for this standard is the CEN-CENELEC Joint Technical Committee (JTC) 11 “Accessibility in the built environment”1.
prEN 17210 in its section 9.6.6. refers to carpets, mats and carpet tiles. According to it, carpets, mats and carpet tiles shall be securely fixed to prevent folding or sliding and causing hazards to users. It also requires that exposed edges are fastened to the floor to prevent curling and to avoid trips as well as falls. The use of loose laid mats should be avoided, as they may present a tripping hazard.
These above-mentioned requirements, especially fixing the products, unfortunately, neglect product developments which have been made by dust control mat producers together with reprocessors of these mats for many years in order to keep them in place without fixing them. Professional dust control mats that are available on the market provide a high level of security and increase safety rather than representing a potential risk to people entering buildings. They are innovative by their rubber material and by their dust binding function.
Read SBS’ newly published position paper.