ADA Requirements For Floor Mats
Do door mats have ADA requirements?
Yes, if a floor mat is located on an accessible route or even on a circulation path then it will need to meet certain requirements to prevent it from becoming a barrier to accessibility. Removable floor mats can be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) depending on the characteristics of the mat and the location where it is being used. Here are some of the basic requirements:
Non Compliant Floor Mat
Accessible walking surfaces must be firm, stable and slip resistant. Therefore, floor mats must be securely fastened to the ground to prevent the edges from rolling up easily.
Floor mats shall not create a tripping hazard. If the mat does not have beveled edges, then the maximum thickness shall be no more than 1/4 inch.
If floor mats for have beveled edges, the maximum thickness is 1/2 inch. When the floor mat thickness is between 1/4 inch high minimum and 1/2 inch high maximum, the beveled edge shall have a slope not steeper than 1:2.
The floor mat surface shall be free of openings greater than 1/2”. A floor mat type that is popular in restaurants is a rubber floor mat with many 1 inch circle openings on the top surface. These openings allow passage of a 1/2” sphere and therefore they are not compliant. These type of floor mats should not be provided on an accessible route.
It is important to understand that these are some of the most common requirements of door mats. Additional state or local standards may apply to your facility. It is important to consult with an accessibility professional to address elements on a case by case basis. Our Certified Access Specialists have evaluated thousands of facility with floor mats present. A CASp inspector will apply all of the applicable standards to your facility and issue guidance for replacing non-accessible elements such as floor mats with compliant alternatives. Contact one of our CASp Experts for a free consultation today.
