What Specifiers Need to Know about Entrance Matting Fire Performance

The shock of London's Grenfell Tower fire on 14 June 2017 has led architectural product suppliers around the world to look closely at the fire performance of their products. Beyond marketing literature, they must provide detailed product documentation that shows their products meet the requirements of the New Zealand Building Code (NZBC).

In the instance of entrance matting, Advance Flooring recommends specifiers check whether the fire test certificate provided by the entrance matting supplier meets NZBC requirements and the ISO 9239-1:2010 test. It is important to check that the system specified matches that on the fire certificate.

In some instances, an entranceway may be an exitway too, in which case NZBC clauses C1 - C6 apply. Excluding non-sprinkled buildings for detention or care, C/VM2, Verification Method: Framework for Fire Safety Design, For New Zealand Building Code Clauses C1–C6 Protection from Fire requires floor surfaces in exitways to achieve a minimum of 2.2 kW/m².

Materials behave differently depending on the substrate, which is why the ISO 9239-1:2010 test states that "results obtained by this method reflect the performance of the flooring, including any substrate if used." And that "modifications of the backing, bonding to a substrate, underlay or other changes of the flooring may affect test results".

There can be a marked difference between tests done on sheet carpet insert material alone and tests on the carpet insert fixed into its substrate (or system). This can be due to a combination of factors, such as more oxygen in and around the carpet insert strips (compared with sheet material), differences in adhesives, and any effect of the mat componentry.

Advance Flooring's Architectural Series entrance matting systems have been tested as a complete system — as they would be installed in a real building. This gives them the certification needed to ensure the system complies with the NZBC (C1-C6 Protection from Fire) and ISO 9239-1:2010.

Things to check when specifying an entrance matting system:

Ask for a copy of the independent fire certificate and check that the entrance matting system specified (the whole matting solution — carpet and substrate) matches the name on the fire certificate.
Make sure the fire certificate confirms that the matting system meets the minimum fire performance standards of the New Zealand Building Code.
And note that an 'entranceway' may also be an 'exitway' which may have a higher performance requirement.

References:

C/VM2, Verification Method: Framework for Fire Safety Design, For New Zealand Building Code Clauses C1–C6 Protection from Fire
ISO 9239-1:2010, Reaction to fire tests for floorings -- Part 1: Determination of the burning behaviour using a radiant heat source

Axis Entrance Mat

Advance

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As part of the Architectural Series of Entrance Matting Systems, Axis is an interlocking modular Entrance Mat System designed to handle heavy rolling loads besides removing dirt and water from all directions.

NZ Made

NZ-Owned Business

Post-Consumer Recyclable Content

Protected outdoor and interior applications
Heavy use applications such as transport hubs and shopping centres
Suitable for heavy rolling loads or wheeled traffic (with Advance Flooring's proprietary matwell system)

The Axis system is compliant and exceeds the minimum of 2.2 kW/m² CRF required for exits in all buildings excluding non-sprinkled buildings for detention or care, C/VM2, Verification Method: Framework for Fire Safety Design (the New Zealand Building Code Clauses C1-C6 Protection from Fire requires floor surfaces in exitways to achieve a minimum of 2.2 kW/m²).
Test Certificates available upon request
The New Zealand Code recommends that a mat should have a minimum dimension of 1.8 metres from front to back which allows for 2 contacts of each foot. Refer Acceptable Solution D1/AS1 Access Routes.

Independent Assessment

Test Results

CoralTread Entrance Mat

Advance

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As part of the Architectural Series of Entrance Matting Systems, CoralTread is a stylish low profile that is a proven performer, designed to do the 'dirty work' by providing optimum dirt and moisture removal and keeps on looking good.

NZ Made

NZ-Owned Business

Post-Consumer Recyclable Content

Protected outdoor and interior applications with polyamide inserts
Can be used unprotected outside with ReTread recycled rubber inserts, (however optimum performance is achieved if the mat system is in a weather-protected area).
Heavy use applications such as shopping centres and public buildings
Suitable for wheelchair access

The CoralTread system is compliant and exceeds the minimum of 2.2 kW/m² CRF required for exits in all buildings excluding non-sprinkled buildings for detention or care, C/VM2, Verification Method: Framework for Fire Safety Design (the New Zealand Building Code Clauses C1-C6 Protection from Fire requires floor surfaces in exitways to achieve a minimum of 2.2 kW/m²).
Test Certificates available upon request
The New Zealand Code recommends that a mat should have a minimum dimension of 1.8 metres from front to back which allows for two contacts of each foot. Refer Acceptable Solution D1/AS1 Access Routes.

Independent Assessment

Test Results

EverTread Entrance Mat

Advance

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As part of the Architectural Series of Entrance Matting Systems, EverTread is designed to perform, endure and keep on looking great - every day.

NZ Made

NZ-Owned Business

Post-Consumer Recyclable Content

Protected outdoor and interior applications with polyamide inserts
Can be used unprotected outside with ReTread recycled rubber inserts, (however optimum performance is achieved if the mat system is in a weather-protected area).
Heavy use applications such as transport hubs, shopping centres and public buildings — deluxe appearance suitable for high-end locations
Suitable for heavy rolling loads

The EverTread system is compliant and exceeds the minimum of 2.2 kW/m² CRF required for exits in all buildings excluding non-sprinkled buildings for detention or care, C/VM2, Verification Method: Framework for Fire Safety Design (the New Zealand Building Code Clauses C1-C6 Protection from Fire requires floor surfaces in exitways to achieve a minimum of 2.2 kW/m²).
Test Certificates available upon request
The New Zealand Code recommends that a mat should have a minimum dimension of 1.8 metres from front to back which allows for 2 contacts of each foot. Refer Acceptable Solution D1/AS1 Access Routes.

Independent Assessment

Test Results

ExtraTread Entrance Mat

Advance

View Product

As part of the Architectural Series of Entrance Matting Systems, ExtraTread is a prestigious aluminium and carpet strip with extra wide infills, designed and engineered with extra absorbing performance in mind.

NZ Made

NZ-Owned Business

Post-Consumer Recyclable Content

Protected outdoor and interior applications with polyamide inserts
Can be used unprotected outside with ReTread recycled rubber inserts, (however optimum performance is achieved if the mat system is in a weather-protected area).
Heavy use applications such as shopping centres and public buildings
Suitable for wheelchair access

The ExtraTread system is compliant and exceeds the minimum of 2.2 kW/m² CRF required for exits in all buildings excluding non-sprinkled buildings for detention or care, C/VM2, Verification Method: Framework for Fire Safety Design (the New Zealand Building Code Clauses C1-C6 Protection from Fire requires floor surfaces in exitways to achieve a minimum of 2.2 kW/m²).
Test Certificates available upon request
The New Zealand Code recommends that a mat should have a minimum dimension of 1.8 metres from front to back which allows for two contacts of each foot. Refer Acceptable Solution D1/AS1 Access Routes

Independent Assessment

Test Results

MasterTread Entrance Mat

Advance

View Product

As part of the Architectural Series of Entrance Matting Systems, MasterTread is a smart roll-up strip matting solution for easy installation and cleaning.

NZ Made

NZ-Owned Business

Post-Consumer Recyclable Content

Protected outdoor and interior applications with polyamide inserts
Can be used unprotected outside with ReTread recycled rubber inserts, (however optimum performance is achieved if the mat system is in a weather-protected area).
Heavy use applications such as shopping centres and public buildings
Suitable for wheelchair rolling loads

The MasterTread system is compliant and exceeds the minimum of 2.2 kW/m² CRF required for exits in all buildings excluding non-sprinkled buildings for detention or care, C/VM2, Verification Method: Framework for Fire Safety Design (the New Zealand Building Code Clauses C1-C6 Protection from Fire requires floor surfaces in exitways to achieve a minimum of 2.2 kW/m²).
Test Certificates available upon request
The New Zealand Building Code recommends that a mat should have a minimum dimension of 1.8 metres from front to back which allows for 2 contacts of each foot. Refer Acceptable Solution D1/AS1 Access Routes

Independent Assessment

Test Results

Shuttle Entrance Mat

Advance

View Product

Shuttle is a unique patented entrance mat system design for unrivalled appearance and performance.

NZ Made

NZ-Owned Business

Post-Consumer Recyclable Content

Protected outdoor and interior applications with polyamide inserts
Can be used unprotected outside with ReTread recycled rubber inserts, (however optimum performance is achieved if the mat system is in a weather-protected area).
Heavy duty use for applications such as Transport hubs, car showrooms, shopping centres and public buildings
Designed to accommodate extra heavy rolling loads

The Shuttle system is compliant and exceeds the minimum of 2.2 kW/m² CRF required for exits in all buildings excluding non-sprinkled buildings for detention or care, C/VM2, Verification Method: Framework for Fire Safety Design (the New Zealand Building Code Clauses C1-C6 Protection from Fire requires floor surfaces in exitways to achieve a minimum of 2.2 kW/m²).
Test Certificates available upon request
The New Zealand Code recommends that a mat should have a minimum dimension of 1.8 metres from front to back which allows for 2 contacts of each foot. Refer Acceptable Solution D1/AS1 Access Routes.

Independent Assessment

Test Results

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