fire resistant mat - looking for

I work with a torch (plumbers torch) and have just moved my work area into the downstairs area at home which is unfortunately carpeted. So, I am looking for a mat to put under my work bench that is heat & fire resistant. In many years of doing this type of work I have never dropped my torch but I figure it could happen... also, the more likely scenario is that I might drop red hot metal onto the floor. As I never have my torch going when I'm not at my bench I think I just need a surface that will buy me time if I need to put out a flame and which will also protect the carpet from getting damaged.

I have been looking and looking but really don't know where to look. I have spent a lot of time on google and have seen that non-flammable mats for welding are extremely expensive and very small. But, I have seen BBQ mats on American websites - the most promising one this one from ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Flame-Retardant-...hippingPayment

These BBQ mats seem much more suitable because they are bigger and the price (in US) appears much more affordable. The only problem is I can't find Australian stores that sell them.

Does anyone know somewhere that does sell them? Or, do you have another idea of a surface I could use? (I have used hardy-flex in the past but much too messy for carpet. Have thought of MDF but worried about if I spill alcohol borax mix that it will soak in and fuel any flame that starts.)

Thanks!

What about a woollen mat?
Its hard to burn as it just singes and stinks.

Al :?

What about ceramic tiles on a mdf base?
Someone will probably come up with a better idea, but what about sitting a mdf board on the carpet, (maybe putting a cloth down first?) and gluing ceramic tiles on the Mdf?.
I assume that if you grout the gaps between the tiles, it should be acid resistant, and oddments/ leftovers of tiles shouldnt be that hard to find.

what about hardy flex that has been painted with acrylic paint - that will stop the dust and protect the carpet too.

What about a woven fibreglass fire blanket?

I agree.

A fire blanket is the way to go. Available all over the place - even Bunnings.

The only thing that will realy pass muster in a serious sence is "compressed flat sheet"
It is like hardiflex or similar but much denser and thicker.
It is used as a deck sheeting or flooring, and is the material of choice for building hearths for wood heaters.

typicaly the thinnest is 10mm.
It is hard heavy and definitely won't burn.
it will support good loads & wont break up like the much softer and weaker wall panelings will.
you would be wise to put some sort of edging on it as you might chip the edge and the edge can be quite hard & sharp.

It comes in 1200 x 2400 sheets... last time I baught some it cost me over $120 a sheet.

remember this stuff is heavy.... dont think you will bring it home on the roof racks of the corrola. Unless you are very fit & strong.... get a strong friend to help you lift it arround.

cheers