Think of this scenario - You are about to enter a room and contemplating the awkward struggle with the door handle coming up. But then, before you do anything at all, the door swings open effortlessly, offering a warm welcome instead. Have you ever wondered how that happens? That’s the convenience of an automatic door opener, commonly found in commercial buildings.
In this blog, we’ll delve into the world of automatic door openers, exploring what they are, what they do, and the different types out there.
What Is An Automatic Door Opener?
Automatic door openers, also known as automatic door operators, are commonly used in commercial buildings to improve accessibility, especially for those with disabilities or mobility impairments.
They comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by automatically opening and closing doors upon activation by a motion sensor or push plate. This technology increases the convenience of everyone who enters and exits buildings.
There are two types of automatic door openers, they are:
- Electro-mechanical: An electro-mechanical mechanism opens and closes the door using a mechanical motor. This mechanism is utilized in situations where the opening is completed primarily automatically.
- Electro-hydraulic: The door is opened by a mechanical motor, and it is closed by a hydraulic closer for this electro-hydraulic mechanism, which is primarily a manual mechanism.
Automatic door openers these days are available from many leading brands like BEA, Norton, Record USA, and LCN and can be activated in a variety of ways, including by pushing a button, an electric motor, a hydraulic closer, a pneumatic system, using a touchless sensor, etc.
What Is the Purpose of A Door Operator?
Door openers are mechanical devices designed to automate the opening and closing of doors. From the familiar garage door openers to sophisticated automatic doors in commercial buildings, they come in various configurations to suit different needs.
These handy systems offer a range of benefits, including:
- Enhanced Accessibility: Door openers allow for unhindered ingress and egress for people with mobility limitations by eliminating the need for manual intervention.
- Operational Efficiency: They automate door opening and closing cycles to improve traffic flow within a facility, especially in high foot traffic areas.
- Improved Security: Certain door operators can be integrated with access control systems, allowing for selective entry while improving overall security.
- Environmental Optimization: Automatic openers help to maintain a stable interior temperature within a building by reducing the amount of time doors are left open during ingress and egress.
- Convenience: Door openers eliminate the need for manual intervention, which benefits users, particularly when carrying packages or managing limited mobility.
These features make door openers an integral part of most commercial spaces where accessibility, efficiency, security, and convenience are important considerations.
What Are the Different Types of Automatic Door Openers?
Automatic door openers are essential in modern building design, promoting accessibility and door weight, and ensuring efficient traffic flow. These devices use a variety of mechanisms to automate door opening and closing, which improves the user experience in a variety of situations. The following are some of the various types of automatic door openers, along with their ideal applications.
Featuring robust motors capable of swift and powerful door operation and ensuring smooth traffic flow, they are ideal for locations like hospitals, airports, and industrial facilities where durability, speed, and security are critical. The full energy models are typically more expensive upfront but offer unparalleled performance and reliability in demanding environments.
These operators from premium brands like Norton, NABCO, Record USA, and LCN work well in places where traffic flow is managed, like offices, retail stores, and spaces that comply with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards.
Norton 5800 and 5845 accessories are popular options. They often come with adjustable settings for door speed, how long they stay open, and how they’re activated (like by push plates or motion sensors). This flexibility makes them easy to install and operate according to different needs.
Records USA has many options in their portfolio of low energy operators these includes the Records USA HA7, HA9, WL101, and WL102 series. These operators are known for their power and durability. They are ideal for public access areas like hospitals, airports, schools and universities and similar other places.
NABCO GT710 and GT8710 series are among the well known options in their portfolio. These operators are ADA compliant and come in various size and finishes. operates in both automatic and manual modes with a hydraulic back-check that protects the door and mechanical operator from damage when forced open in windy conditions or when manually operated. The Low Energy performance, combined with adjustable opening and closing speeds, reduces energy usage to help offer a prompt return on your investment.
Activation methods for these openers can vary, including push pads, motion sensors, or foot pedals. This versatility provides convenience in various locations, such as handicapped entrances, residential buildings with heavy fire doors, and storerooms. Overall, power assist openers strike a balance between affordability and effectively improving accessibility.
These actuators, which are constructed from long-lasting materials such as stainless steel, improve hygiene by reducing the amount of physical contact that door surfaces have with them.
They are particularly suitable for environments where cleanliness and infection control are paramount, such as hospitals, clean rooms, and facilities with high foot traffic. Touchless actuators promote accessibility while meeting stringent hygiene standards, providing a modern solution for door activation.
Choosing the right automatic door opener involves considering these factors alongside specific operational needs and environmental conditions. Each type offers distinct advantages tailored to different applications, ensuring the best possible solution for enhancing accessibility, security, and efficiency in buildings and public spaces.
Full Energy vs. Low Energy Automatic Door Openers: Understanding the Difference
The operation of high-energy and low-energy automatic sliding doors differs in terms of speed, force, and activation mechanisms. High-energy operators, also known as full-energy operators, are activated by motion sensors and are commonly deployed in commercial buildings, particularly at entryways and vestibules, to facilitate the efficient entry and exit of large crowds.
The rapid motion of high-energy doors, however, requires additional safety features, especially for those who use mobility assistive devices. Features like safety rails and obstacle detection sensors may guarantee user safety.
On the other hand, low-energy openers or low-energy operators open at a slower pace with less force, typically triggered by pressing a button, swiping a key card, or making a gesture near a sensor. They are suitable for healthcare facilities, helping to maintain sterile conditions by controlling airflow in lower foot traffic areas.
While selecting between high-energy and low-energy automatic sliding doors, it is crucial to consider factors such as traffic flow, safety requirements, and the desired level of user interaction for activation. Each type serves distinct purposes in enhancing convenience and safety in different settings.
How to Choose the Best Automatic Door Openers?
High-energy automatic sliding doors are commonly installed in areas with heavy foot traffic, such as main building entrances, to efficiently manage the entering and exiting of large volumes of people. Nevertheless, safety features are crucial to minimizing risk, especially for individuals with mobility challenges.
Low-energy openers are ideal for environments where slower door operation is preferred, such as corridors and interior spaces with less frequent traffic. They contribute to accessibility by adhering to ADA guidelines and offering enhanced building security through integration with access control systems.
Beyond the Typical Applications
Choosing automatic sliding doors for building entrances requires carefully considering traffic flow and desired functionality. High-energy openers are ideal for high-traffic areas like airports, where a constant stream of users will be served, while low-energy openers are ideal for lower-traffic areas. There are, however, exceptions. Each project’s unique requirements must be meticulously evaluated by designers to ensure that automatic sliding doors perform optimally.
Understanding the key differences between high-energy and low-energy openers empowers informed decision-making. High-energy openers focus on speed and handle frequent use cycles, often triggered by motion sensors for hands-free operation and convenience. Conversely, low-energy openers, activated by push plates or touchless sensors, prioritize accessibility compliance with slower opening and closing speeds, making them ideal for areas with limited mobility users.
A variety of premium automatic door operators cater to a variety of architectural aesthetics in addition to functionality. Qualitydoor.com offers a comprehensive selection, including top-tier access control systems, activation plates for manual or touchless operation, bollards for additional security, mounting boxes for clean installation, and advanced equipment like touchless actuators and transmitters/receivers for complex systems.
Also, our team of experts is ready to help you find the most suitable door solutions from our extensive inventory of premium hardware options. For more information, do not hesitate to contact us today.
Call us at +1 (800) 992-3667
