Automatic Door Hardware:
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
There are so many options for automatic door hardware, it can be difficult to know where to begin. A useful approach is to start by taking stock of the features you need, and narrow the solutions from there. We are going to look at some of the features and varieties of automatic closers to help you determine the best fit. And, as always, we are happy to come take a look to help you assess which type of closer is right for you.
Door Closer Grade:
As with mechanical door closers discussed in our earlier article Mechanical Door Closers: Type, Style, Grade and Applications, the grade of your closer is determined by anticipated wear and tear caused by door weight, area wind speeds, friction, number of hinges, and foot traffic. We will include the reference table in this article as well to help illustrate:
Grade | Door Type | Location | Application | Use Cycles |
Grade 1 | Heavy Duty | Exterior/Interior | Public Building Entrances, Heavy Use | 2 Million |
Grade 2 | Medium Duty | Exterior/Interior | Restrooms, Offices, Halls | 1 Million |
Grade 3 | Lightweight | Interior | Storage Rooms | 500,000 |
Automatic Door hardware Considerations:
Some of the factors that can narrow your search apart from grade include mounting style, high/low energy, fire safety requirements, and whether you want it to be touch to open or touch-free. Lets take a look at what these options mean for you.
High Energy: Also known as Full-Power operators, these automatic door operators are designed for heavy use. Adjustable for speed, open or close delay, and the employment of safety sensors make these the go-to for high traffic locations such as airports, hospitals and supermarkets. Fully automatic, they operate at higher speeds than low energy models and are designed to perform their task hundreds or thousands of times per day. Many can include RFID access solutions and boast all the same activation options as the low energy models. A major consideration is installation. Full power operator installations are more invasive than most other options, so they are usually introduced during the initial build or while a larger renovation is taking place. The operator itself is only one part of the assembly. High energy operators are not a retrofit solution. High energy systems include the frame, door, activation sensor and, if required, presence sensor and safety rail. They are more complex and involve running concealed power, so that is an important point to keep in mind when planning for installation.
Low Energy: Low energy operators use less electricity to operate, and as such are a little slower to open and close than the high energy models. These are commonly used where manual operation is the default, but automatic open needs to be an option. They are critical tools that provide facility access to people with limited mobility. Low energy operators are a great solution to assist with ADA compliance. They are activated by interaction, usually via a button press, floor switch, or sensor. Typically, these models can be installed on an existing door, as an operator and activiation device are all that is needed for installation. Unlike high energy operators, additional safety measures are not required and they can be installed without modifying the door or frame, making it a good option for historical buildings. Low energy operators can carry additional useful options including latch assist, obstruction detection, power close and more.
Safety:
The safety of patrons and staff is paramount for any organization. Depending on the nature of your facility, these safety measures may include ADA access concerns, fire safety, varying accessibility standards and other local building codes. Some of these considerations are affected by the type of door, whether swinging, folding or sliding. Each of these types have their own requirements. For example, folding doors should have an emergency swing feature if the door in question is an egress point. Swinging doors should be divided between traffic directions, and should include guide rails and clear signage. Sliding doors should have a feature that allows them to swing open in an emergency, similar to folding doors. Addidionally, internal doors in facilities such as hospitals etc., have fire-safety measures that need to be addressed. Automatic open or close depending based on egress or fire containment is crucial for the preservation of life and property in an emergency situation. Your requirements will vary based on door style, location and traffic, but there is a solution available for every challenge.
Styles:
Here we will take a quick look at aesthetics. The photos below illustrate some of the different options for automatic door operators in both the high energy and low energy models. These manufacturer photo examples feature installations of operators in a variety of facilities in different styles. We are dealers and installers of these solutions and are always available to assist you in choosing the right hardware for your location.
