What are ADA Detectable Warning Mats?
ADA Detectable Warning Mats are the identifiers of a surface materials change to people with a disability who utilize a walking stick. These mats may be made of steel or rubber. These surfaces have 1″ high nodules evenly spaced in a certain configuration that react audibly different than the surrounding surface to taps from a walking stick. Several municipalities will also allow you to have the nodules directly built into a concrete surface (using specially designed molds) or the use of paver bricks that have the nodules on the surface. Some municipalities also require that they be a contrasting color from the surrounding materials
Why are ADA Detectable Warning Mats Important?
ADA Detectable Warning Mats are important because they are required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at all surface transitions, specifically where a Handicap Accessible Ramp meets a parking lot or roadway, as well as at the entrances to some storefronts
How are ADA Detectable Warning Mats Installed or Repaired?
ADA Detectable Warning mats traditionally come in two types: Cast in Place, or Surface Mounted. Cast in Place mats are single-piece mats that are installed directly onto the existing surface materials using either a two-part epoxy or placed into wet concrete. Surface Mounted mats consist of a base which is installed the same way as Cast In Place mats, and then a second piece which is bolted down over the base that contains the nodules. The advantage of Surface Mounted mats is that if nodules are missing, broken, or damaged, the surface mat can be replaced without having to remove the base. If Cast in Place mats have broken, missing, or damaged nodules, the entire mat must be saw-cut and removed from the surrounding materials before being replaced. For Detectable Warning Mats that are made of concrete or paver bricks, the, repairs are made directly to the materials that comprise the built-in mat