North Norfolk Railway Switch House Matting Case Study
North Norfolk Railway needed entrance matting for its switch house that would help keep the floor safer in rainy weather while operators pulled the railway switches.
GoalProvide a non-slip surface when pulling switches
The story
North Norfolk Railway needed a custom-sized mat for its switch house to help reduce slip risk when operating junction switches in wet weather.
01
The challenge
In rainy conditions, the switch house floor became slippery and created a hazard when pulling the junction switches.
02
The solution
A custom-sized Plush Choice mat was chosen and cut to fit the run of the railway switches.
03
The result
The floor was safer and drier in wet conditions, and operators had better leverage when controlling and pulling the railway levers.
Excellent fast turnaround and quality product, very happy. Thank you.
Steven
Product Used
Plush Choice Entrance Mat
The Plush Choice Entrance Mat is a versatile, made-to-measure solution that brings both style and practicality to homes, offices, and commercial spaces. Designed to handle light to moderate foot traffic,…
Custom Lengths: Available in lengths up to 25m, with widths of 90cm, or 120cm.
Durable Materials: Polypropylene fibres for dirt scraping and moisture absorption.
Slip-Resistant: PVC backing prevents movement on smooth floors.
Low Profile Design: 7mm thick for narrow door gap clearance.
See how other businesses use First Mats products to solve everyday entrance challenges.
1 – 10 of 10 case studies
Entrance Matting
Buckingham Palace entrance matting case study
Challenge
The mats needed to be large enough for the space, durable for daily use, and low profile so they could be rolled up without taking up much storage space.
Solution
We recommended the EntryPlus Large Entrance Mat, which provided the size required and a low profile that made it easy to roll up and store.
Result
The mats were perfect for the application and have been working well in the service areas.
Countess Anne School chooses EntryPlus for its newly refurbished library
Challenge
The library backs onto a busy corridor, so the school needed a mat that would catch dirt at the entrance, suit the double fire door, and remain low profile and wheelchair friendly.
Solution
Rachel chose a red 90cm x 150cm EntryPlus Entrance Mat. It fits the double fire door entrance and its low-profile design helps reduce trip risk for pupils entering the library.
Result
The mat matches the decor and the new red carpet well, and it now takes the first hit from pupils' shoes and dirt before they reach the carpet.
Barfield Prep School reduces water build-up with entrance matting
Challenge
Water was continually building up and damaging the carpet in the corridors, while dirt was also being tracked onto tiled floors. Previous standard entrance mats wore out quickly and did not protect the interior floors effectively.
Solution
Julie chose Ultra-Absorbent School Entrance Mats from First Mats and installed them at the main entrances from the playgrounds and courtyards. The mats were selected for their ability to cope with high footfall and wet conditions.
Result
The impact was immediate, with dirt and mess on the floors massively reduced. The school environment became cleaner and safer, the deep blue mats matched the school branding well, and maintenance time was significantly reduced.
Claro Enterprise keeps workshop debris out of office areas with Tacky Mats
Challenge
Wood shavings, dust and sawdust from the workshop floor were being tracked into office and admin areas, making carpets harder to keep clean even with regular vacuuming.
Solution
Large Disposable Tacky Dust Mats (80cm x 130cm) were positioned at key transition points, including outside office entrances and just beyond the main workshop area, to capture debris from footwear.
Result
The mats reduced the amount of wood and dust being carried into office areas, helping carpets stay cleaner, making maintenance easier and improving floor protection.
Spire Healthcare chooses Plush Choice door mats for MRI room entrances
Challenge
The matting had to cope with frequent foot traffic, protect sensitive flooring and provide stable support for the weight of portable MRI machines.
Solution
Spire Healthcare selected Plush Choice door mats for patient areas, treatment zones and corridors. Their low profile design made them suitable for both everyday foot traffic and the movement of large medical equipment.
Result
The mats have held up well under high traffic and the movement of portable MRI scanners. Their low profile helps equipment roll easily, while offering support that helps minimise vibration and protect the flooring.
How nLighten UK used tacky mats to help control dust in server rooms
Challenge
Despite air purification systems and protective clothing protocols, foot traffic was still bringing dust into the room, creating a build-up inside server racks and fans over time.
Solution
Tacky Dust Mats were placed at entry points to help capture fine particles before they could be tracked further into the server room.
Result
The mats helped improve dust control at entry points and supported the facility’s existing cleanliness standards. They also reduced the risk of fine particle build-up within server components.