This has pegged my interest enough that I emailed the US Access-board this morning and got the following response back from them already, I think you will find this interesting. It does come with all the disclaimers, but I found this to be quite interesting.
My email to the Access Board Tech line first:
Quote:
Sent: Wednesday, October 6, 2021 6:04 AM
To: Technical Assistance: U.S. Access Board <
ta@Access-Board.gov>
Subject: Walk off matts are they compliant
Good morning,
A question came up on one of the message boards and I am trying to get an idea, as many of my clients use the mat service companies for their businesses.
Here is the question”
Quote:
I’m getting caught between our maintenance managers and our ada consultants. The ada folks are saying the rubberized walk-off mats at the entrances are not compliant, because 302.2 says carpet or carpet tile shall be securely attached, and exposed edges shall be fastened to the floor and have trim on all edges. So we pulled out all the black mats. Naturally the maintenance manager is in a snit because there is nothing for customers to wipe their feet.
The mat supplier has of course weighed in on the side of the maintenance manager, and has provided a slick data sheet that says “their” mats are fully compliant, and quotes Assistant attorney general w lee rawls as saying that floor mats are not considered carpeting so they are exempt from 302.2.
Does anyone have a source that shows interpretations for ADA requirements? If it matters, the locations are in washington dc and philly.
End Quote:
Any information on this interpretation or another will be helpful, thank you
End Quote: email sent to Access Board tech line
Responding QUOTE from Access Board Tech Line:
Good morning:
Rollout carpets and door mats, such as the walk-off mats you mention, are movable elements, like furniture, that are not covered by the ADA standards.
It is recommended that the requirements for carpeting be followed as much as possible so that a wheelchair could roll over the carpet or mat without it buckling or getting stuck if the trim does not meet the requirements for change in level. But these are not covered by the standards, and ultimately are not required to comply.
Hope this helps.
Sarah Presley
Accessibility Specialist
U.S. Access Board
(202)272-0046
presley@access-board.gov
www.access-board.gov
For technical assistance:
(800)872-2253 (V) (800)993-2822 (TTY)
ta@access-board.gov
Disclaimer: Technical assistance provided in this email is intended solely as informal guidance; it is neither a determination of your legal rights or responsibilities, nor a statement of the official views of the U.S. Access Board or any other federal agency. Any links to non-federal websites are provided as a courtesy and do not represent an endorsement of the linked information, products, or services.
End Quote: from tech line at access board