The 15-Foot Rule: A Buyer’s Guide to Hotel Entrance Matting

The Importance of Proper Entrance Matting for Hotels

Attentive hotel general managers recognize the lobby floor is a battlefield. It is where the high standards of your brand meet the harsh reality of the outdoors. But beyond aesthetics, there is a critical financial risk hiding in plain sight: liability.

According to industry safety data, slips and falls constitute the majority of general liability claims against hotels. The first line of defense isn't a "Wet Floor" sign—it is proper hotel entrance matting.

If you are relying on a single 3x5 mat to protect your lobby, your defense is failing. In this guide, we break down the industry-standard "15-Foot Rule" and explore how commercial door mats from National Hospitality can save your floors, prevent accidents, and protect your bottom line.

What is the best size for a hotel entrance mat?

The most common mistake in hospitality maintenance is buying mats that are too short. Guests rarely stop to wipe their feet; they walk right through. To effectively ensure slip and fall prevention, you need to apply the "Rule of 15."

Industry studies show that it takes approximately 15 feet of matting to remove 80% to 90% of dirt and moisture from a pair of shoes. This distance allows a guest to take roughly three full strides with each foot on the mat surface.

If your mat is only 5 feet long, it captures less than 30% of debris. The rest ends up on your polished marble or tile, turning your lobby into a hazard.

The Solution: Invest in commercial entrance mats that cover the entire length of your vestibule. If you cannot fit a single 15-foot runner, use a modular system. Heavy-duty utility mats can be placed end-to-end to create the necessary "walk-off" zone. By extending your coverage, you significantly reduce cleaning costs and keep your guests safe.

Chevron Indoor Entrance Mats

This stylish "Zone 3" wiper mat works perfectly for the hotel lobby. Chevron mats feature a slip resistant vinyl backing to prevent the carpet from sliding on hard surfaces like tile, wood, or marble. Available in a range of sizes and colors and even has an option to be custom cut to fit your size requirements.

 

What is the difference between a scraper and a wiper mat?

Not all mats are created equal. To maximize the 15-foot rule, you need to use the right mat in the right "zone." Using a wiper mat outside is like using a towel to shovel snow—it just doesn't work.

1. The Scraper (Outdoor / Zone 1) These are your indoor-outdoor entrance mats. They are designed with aggressive rubber nubs or stiff bristles. Their job is to scrape off heavy debris like mud, snow, and salt before the guest enters the building.

Recommendation: Look for durable utility matting like the Soil Guard Rubber Traction Mat. It allows water to drain away, preventing a soggy welcoming surface.

2. The Wiper (Indoor / Zone 2) Once the heavy debris is gone, the wiper mat takes over. These are usually carpet-surfaced water-absorbent floor mats.

Recommendation: WaterHog mats for hotels are the gold standard here. They feature a unique "water dam" border that can hold up to 1.5 gallons of water per square yard, keeping the moisture locked in the mat and off your floors. Plus, many WaterHog options are eco-friendly entrance mats, made with post-consumer recycled PET fibers, which appeals to green-conscious travelers.

WaterHog Premier Fashion Entrance Mats

For a superior entrance mat solution, look no further than the WaterHog Premier Fashion Entrance Mat. Designed with a "water dam" border that enables the mat to hold 1.5 gallons of water per square yard. Features an SBR rubber backing to prevent slippage and is available in a range of sizes with 8 color options to match your hotel decor.

 

How do I stop mats from sliding on the lobby floor?

A mat that slides is just as dangerous as a wet floor. When purchasing entrance utility mats, the "backing" is just as important as the surface.

To ensure you have non-slip entrance mats, you must match the backing to your flooring type:

Cleated Backing: Best for carpeted vestibules. Small nibs grip the carpet fibers to prevent "creeping."

Smooth or SBR Rubber Backing: Essential for hard surfaces like tile, wood, or marble. This creates friction to keep the mat anchored.

Pro Tip: If you have staff standing at a valet podium or concierge desk near the entrance, consider anti-fatigue entrance mats. These provide the necessary traction for safety while reducing leg strain for your team.

Soil Guard Rubber Traction Mats

This heavy-duty entrance mat works best as a "Zone 1" outdoor scraper for heavy snow/mud before entering the building.  Soil Guard Rubber Traction Mats are constructed to withstand temperature/weather extremes with anti-slip resistance. Place at any entrance outdoors or just inside the door to be the first wave of protection of your floor and safety for your guests.

 

Conclusion

Your hotel entrance is the handshake greeting of your property. It should be firm, clean, and safe.

By following the 15-foot rule and combining heavy-duty scrapers with high-performance wipers, you protect your guests from falls and your flooring from expensive damage.

Ready to upgrade your lobby? Whether you need custom logo entrance mats to boost your branding or rugged entrance utility matting to survive the winter, National Hospitality has the commercial-grade solutions you need.

Shop our full selection of entrance matting at National Hospitality Supply and shut the door on liability.

Where To Buy

Go to the Entrance/Utility matting page and click on the type of mat you need. Then, add your items to the shopping cart.

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• For more information, visit www.nathosp.com
• To speak with a representative, call 1-800-526-8224 (8AM - 6PM CST)
• To email customer service, send a message to cs@nathosp.com