Guidelines on Choosing an Automatic Door

01/14/2016 10:03

 

There certainly is no shortage of types of automatic doors out there for your commercial needs. But which type of door is the right one for you? This guide will show you the way.

 

When it comes time to choose the right commercial doors for your project or facility, you begin to realize that a lot goes into your decision. Some factors are beyond your control, such as certain standards and regulations. Yet there are a number of other factors at play that you need to consider before choosing your next automatic door. These factors include the type of facility involved, the type of clientele that facility will see, the level of traffic it'll experience, the location of the facility, and much more. Getting to know how the various types of doors available work will help you choose the right one for your project. Here's a breakdown on your choices:

 

Sliding doors - These are great for two-way traffic and can be an efficient way to control directional traffic as well (meaning using one door for entry, and another one for exiting). This type of adaptability makes these doors suitable for nearly any environment.

 

Swinging doors - These are typically used for one-way pedestrian traffic scenarios. What's most commonly found is that one door is used for entry, and another one is used for exiting. You typically won't find automatic swinging doors used for two-way traffic. There are always exceptions, however. If you need/want swinging doors for two-way traffic applications, this discussion should have taken place during early consultations with architects and designers. One such way to use this type of construction effectively with two-way traffic is with the use of a remote switch or push plate that activates the door well in advance of a person's approach.

 

Folding doors - Why would you install folding doors? When space is limited. If your opening width is restricted to 6 to 8 feet, yet you want to be able to have two-way traffic within this small space, then folding doors (bi-fold doors) are ideal. Single fold doors work well for directional, or one-way traffic areas.

 

Revolving doors- Everyone loves a revolving door, right? These doors can be manual or automatic, and are proven to be effective for high-traffic usage where constant entry/exit access is needed. They can also be helpful for providing an air lock in order to control energy expenses.

 

Defining the levels of traffic - When deciding on an automatic door for your project or facility, it's important to consider the level of traffic that door will experience. There are various levels of traffic.

 

High traffic - this involves an average of more than 2 people per minute through an area, cart traffic (such as grocery stores), or doors weighing up to 150 pounds per moving panel.

 

Medium traffic - this involves one person per minute through an area, and doors weighing less than 125 pounds per moving panel.

 

Low traffic - this involves one person every five minutes through an opening, and doors weighing less than 125 pounds per moving panel.

 

Other things you must consider when choosing a door include any fire and smoke applications, ADA compliance, energy conservation, and your preferred method of security.

 

There are a number of factors at play when considering the type of door needed for your project or facility. Some factors are beyond your control, while some become a matter of preference and logistics. Be sure that you consider all your options before settling on one specific type of automatic door. Allow a skilled professional, such as the folks at Amazing Doors & Hardware, to help you choose a door that's perfect for your project's needs.