Questions About Anti Fatigue Floor Mats?
We have the answers. |
1. Can Anti Fatigue Floor Mats Be Customized?
At DAWG® we specialize in customizing Anti Fatigue Mats and we are efficient
in understanding the variety of needs that each customer may have when
determining the right product for the correct application.
If we customize a product, i.e. make a Anti Fatigue Floor
Mat that is a custom width or in a unique configuration, we will make sure
it fits your desired application.
2. Are
Anti Fatigue Floor Mats Chemical Resistance?
We field many questions about which
Anti Fatigue Mat will hold up to specific chemicals or industrial fluids.
If you have a question regarding Chemical Resistance of a particular
Anti Fatigue Floor Mat, we recommend you follow these steps.
A) Look at our Chemical Resistance Chart by clicking
here. Since it is organized by compound, it's a good guideline and starting
point.
B) If your chemical is not on the chart, feel free to call us at 1-800-935-3294
for further guidance on selecting the right Anti Fatigue Floor Mat. Before you
call, please have specific information including if possible, an MSDS of
the chemical in question.
C) If the chemical is quite caustic, or if we cannot definitively answer
your questions, please request a sample Anti Fatigue Mat to test.
3. How Do I Clean My Mat?
For best results, they should receive scheduled cleanings.
Our carpet and entrance mats are designed to lower your maintenance costs
and still be easily maintained. Simply follow these instructions to keep
your mats looking great and functioning effectively. Carpet mats can be
cleaned the same way you maintain your carpeting. Vacuum them daily, and
shampoo them when dirt builds up.
SpongeCote™
Anti Fatigue Floor Mats, PVC Sponge Mats and Urethane Floor Mats (Dry Area): Sweep
"Dry Area" mats regularly or dry-mop the surface. These anti fatigue mats
can be wet mopped with mild soap or detergent. For best results use a detergent
like Ivory Liquid with a ph between 4.0 - 9.0.
Molded Rubber and PVC Floor Safety Mats (those designed
for Wet areas): For "Wet Area" or drainage mats use a high-pressure
hose (not to exceed 1800 psi) and hot water (max 160 degrees F) to rid
the mats of oils that can lead to slip hazards. For best results use a
mild soap or detergent like Ivory Liquid with a ph between 4.0 - 9.0,.
Do not use steam, degreasers or caustic chemicals. Do not machine wash
or mechanically scrub the these mats.
Anti Fatigue ESD Mats:
When cleaning ESD Floor Mats, it is important to sweep or dry-mop
the surface regularly. Also wet-mop or wipe off with mild soap or a static
control cleaning solution that will not leave a residue on these ESD Anti
Fatigue Mats. This will allow the mats to continue to function
efficiently.
Runner Floor Mats: Simply
sweep the surface with a broom or vacuum. Our runners can also be wet-mopped
with mild soap.
Carpet and Entrance Mats: Take
the Carpet Entrance Mats outside and shake them to remove excess dirt and
debris. If necessary, use a hose (avoid extremely high pressure or high
temperatures) to wash them off. Then allow the carpet entrance mats to
dry before bringing them back inside.
4. What is the life expectancy?
Life Expectancy - The life expectancy
can vary dramatically depending on a variety of factors such
as: number of shifts per day, amount of foot traffic, exposure to oils,
caustic chemicals or fluids, excessive temperatures, cleaning and maintenance
schedule, compound, etc. The following is general representation of what
our customers experience (your experience may vary):
5 Years or more - Urethane
Anti Fatigue Floor Mats (Ex: Rejuvenator®)
3 to 5 years - SpongeCote®
Anti Fatigue Mats (Ex: Diamond-Plate SpongeCote®)
and Injection
molded PVC (Ex: ErgoDeck®)
1 to 3 years - Molded
Rubber Anti Fatigue Floor Mats (Ex: Worksafe®)
1 to 3 years - Molded
Vinyl Floor Mats (EX: Comfort Deck®)
6 to 12 months - PVC
Sponges Anti Fatigue Mats (Ex:Tuf Sponge)
5.
What are the acceptable Anti Fatigue Floor Mat tolerances?
Acceptable tolerances vary by product type. For example, Tire mats may
be as much as three (3) inches longer or shorter than requested due to
the materials used and the manufacturing process. In the case of runner
matting, it is widely accepted that the matting may be 1 to 1 1/2" narrower
than specified. Length is not always exact either. Certain materials have
a tendency to shrink and others to expand depending on the weather conditions
and the manner in which they are packaged.? We do however, strive to insure
all of our products are as close as possible to the size specified in our
catalog or required by our customers.
6. What is the difference between a Conductive and a Non-conductive Anti
Fatigue Floor Mats?
A Conductive Anti Fatigue Floor Mat protects sensitive
equipment by drawing
static electricity off workers before they touch sensitive equipment or
chemicals. Humans quickly generate static electricity through
the friction caused by walking or using chairs with casters. Then with
a simple touch, this static electricity is passed to sensitive equipment
such as a computer. One such shock can destroy internal microchips or cause
a spark that can ignite flammable chemicals. However, if the person steps
onto a conductive mat before touching the equipment, the static is conducted
off his or her body, and out the mat through the grounding snap.
Most commonly called Switchboard Matting, non-conductive
mats insulate and protect workers from deadly shocks generated by high voltage equipment.
(This type of electrical shock is dangerous because it has high amperage.)
These mats will not allow the electricity to conduct through the worker,
and hence protects workers from serious injury. 7. I have a conductive Anti-Fatigue
Mat, but my employees still get static shocks and I am afraid this ESD Anti-Fatigue
Mat is damaging our products. What is the problem?
There
are two possibilities:
1. The Mats are not grounded. Every Electrically Conductive
mat has a snap to connect to a ground cord which then must be must grounded
to an electrical outlet or similar conduit. If the mat is not grounded
there is no place for the static electricity to go. The employees will
still be able to pass it on to the equipment.
2. The employees have insulative shoes and are not wearing heel-grounders.
Most shoes have soles that are not designed to conduct electricity (i.e.
any shoes with rubber soles for example). In order to allow the static electricity
to flow off the employee, he or she must wear heel grounders and the long
fabric strip must touch his or her skin.
8.
What does Coefficient of Friction mean?
Coefficient of Friction or COF is the measure of traction provided by the
surface of the Anti Fatigue Floor Mat. It is a measurement of force that must
be exerted before an object slips. Therefore, the higher the number, the
better the traction. OSHA recommends a COF of .5 in dry areas and .25 in
wet. The ADA recommends .6 on flat surfaces and .8 on ramps.
Our anti fatigue mats with GritWorks!® are the best Floor
Safety Mats to use in slippery areas. GritWorks!® is our line of
abrasive-coated, molded rubber anti fatigue mats. They are the only gritted,
molded Rubber Anti-Fatigue Floor Mats on the market. The grit system provides
an exceptionally high level of traction (40% higher than OSHA recommendations)
and is featured on all of our abrasive coated Floor Mats including Grit-Top
Comfort Deck® No. 461.
9. How can
I tell how soft a Anti Fatigue Floor Mat will be?
The actual test for softness is determined by the material and manufacturing
process of the mat. There are two that conform to Wearwell® anti fatigue
mats:
Compression Deflection - This is one way of measuring
the softness or comfort level of a sponge mat. It measures how much a person's
foot sinks into the Mat - the higher the reading, the softer
the Mat. The results are affected by the thickness of the sponge
backing and the flexibility of the surface material. We consider .20 - .5
the ideal range. The test is ASTM D575.
Durometer
- The measure of hardness/softness of molded rubber and molded PVC Anti
Fatigue Mats. As a general rule, the lower the durometer, the softer the
mat. Most of our Anti Fatigue Floor Mats range between 45-70 durometer. We consider
45-65 ideal range for molded rubber mats. The test is ASTM D2240.
If
you would like to see a complete list of all DAWG® Anti Fatigue Floor Mat
Products, click here. Feel free to call one of our customer support
personal at any time 1-800-YEL-DAWG® (935-3294) to
answer any questions you may have in selecting the proper Anti Fatigue Floor Mat.
Other Reference Information:
Consider when purchasing
an anti fatigue mat
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