Clearview North November 2013 - Issue 144 | Page 41
doors&windows
LOW ENERGY SWING DOORS VS FULLY
AUTOMATIC SWING DOORS
For many reasons often the type
of swing door installed is not
suitable for the intended use.
Low energy doors are often
installed on entranceways that
are not suitable due to volumes
or types of traffic. This is mainly
because when the end user/
customer looks at comparison
estimates, these low energy
swing systems often look more
favourable. Cost is important yes,
but it is important to remember
automatic doors are being
installed in the first place, to help
customers access premises easier,
unaided entry for all users, DDA
requirements. Whatever the
reason, you would not want to
install a door set that essentially
compounds to these problems.
LOW ENERGY
A low energy swing door requires
no safety sensors to be installed as
it moves so slowly that if it ever
had an impact on a person or
object, the force would be so low it
would not hurt them (less than 67
newton meters of force). This often
equates into hundreds of pounds
worth of savings not fitting safety
sensors, but this should not be the
main reason you should choose
this system.
Low energy doors are suitable
for low traffic door systems that
only get used a few times a day
and not by any vulnerable people.
For example, the minimum
opening time is 4.5 second and
the minimum hold open time is
5 seconds. This makes for a very
slow door. Any door with higher
traffic requirements should be fully
KOLORSEAL HH 12/04/2012 11:09 Page 1
automatic so it can open faster,
so not to inhibit the users passing
through the doors.
FULLY AUTOMATIC
Fully automatic doors work at
a faster speed, hence they have a
larger pushing force (up to 150n).
They have safety sensors mounted
to the top of each door leaf, which
effectively scan the area in front
of the door looking for oncoming
obstructions. These sensors will
be mounted across the width
of the length at the top or mid
height. These in turn will stop the
door before the leaf has a chance
to impact. Most fully automatic
swing door operators are also
rated for constant usage, suitable
for high volume traffic sites like
shopping centres, hospitals and
supermarkets.
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