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CASE STUDY

Virgin Active, Solihull

Heronrib slip resistant matting

Project details
Project:

Sports and leisure centre

Client:

Virgin Active

Brief:
To reduce the slipperiness
caused when walking with bare feet along
wet wooden duckboards leading to the
outside swimming pool, sauna and other
facilities.
Solution: Heronrib

In Brief:
This facility can be extremely busy with as many as 2,000
people using the space, gym, sauna and pools in a single day.
How to you solve the problem of the external walkways which
are made of wood and are not only slippery when wet but
uncomfortable and unhygienic for bare feet?
Virgin Active urgently needed to source a new surface which
could be fixed easily to the duckboards and which would look
attractive.
The solution was to lay slip resistant Heronrib because the
matting is well-known in the sports and leisure industry and
widely used in wet areas, such as pools, changing-rooms and
showers.
The matting is permanent and resistant to all weather
conditions even when hardy swimmers insist on using the
outside pool in winter!

www.plastexmatting.com | +44 (0)1268 571116

The Problem
The Virgin Active sports and leisure centre in Solihull is an extremely busy place
with as many as 1500-2000 people a day using the facility. It boasts a large
number of specialised activities, studios and spa together with indoor and
outdoor swimming pools. The problem for the Management was caused by the
walkways to the outdoor pool, sauna and other amenities. Since these are
constructed on wood they tended to become very slippery when wet.

The Solution
After considering various options, the Management decided that the best
solution would be to lay slip resistant matting over the top of the duckboards.
The matting chosen was Heronrib because it is widely used in swimming pools,
changing rooms and showers and is the well proven safety solution for wet
areas. The matting not only reduces slipping and the chance of accidents but is
also comfortable to walk on with bare feet and very hygienic. In addition, it can
remain outside permanently because it is resistant to changes of temperature
and all weather conditions. .

The Client
Doug Swingler building services manager at Virgin Active said, We were very
unhappy about the problem of the duckboards and the fact that people could
be slipping in bad weather. As you can imagine, we have to be concerned about
all aspects of health and safety throughout this type of facility. This matting
has given us greater peace of mind and helped considerably to reduce the
problem. Mind you, we do have some hardy people who insist on using the
open swimming pool in winter. At least, the slip resistant matting gives them a
comfortable, albeit cold, walk to the pool before they break the ice!

The Product
Heronrib has an open grid construction with raised profile underbars which
enable water to drain away easily in all directions. This means that the top
surface remains relatively dry and highly slip resistant. The matting, available in
several colours, is very hardwearing, comfortable to stand on, and hygienic for
bare feet. It is supplied in 10m rolls, which means that large areas can be
covered with the minimum of seams, and in widths of 50cm, 1m and 1.22m.
Roll format Heronrib can also be used with Herontiles. These are open grid
333mm square and 15mm thick, joined together easily with a press click system
to provide a seamless, wall to wall floorcovering. Available in several colours,
they will contour easily over rough or uneven surfaces and, where necessary, can
easily be cut and shaped.

More Information
Samples and information are available from Plastic Extruders Ltd (tel 01268
571116) or visit www.plastexmatting.com
Herontiles are an alternative way
of creating wall-to-wall
slip resistant floors

www.plastexmatting.com | +44 (0)1268 571116

Heronrib AND FLOORLINE ARE


used for slip resistant pool
surrounds and walkways

Heronrib is widely used in changing


rooms and shower areas to avoid slipping on ceramic and hard floors

2009 Plastic Extruders Ltd

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