Many buildings now require automatic doors, especially in locations with heavy traffic. They offer effortless access to those with impairments, parents pushing strollers, and anybody else who wishes to move around with ease. They are practical, safe, and effective. Everything you need to know about automated doors, including their history, installation, maintenance, and repair, will be covered in this article.

What Are Automatic Doors, in Brief?

Automatic door also referred to as automated doors, are those that open and close on their own without requiring human intervention. They have sensors, switches, and motors that may be set up to open or close the door when a person or object is detected there. Hospitals, airports, shopping centres, hotels, and office buildings are just a few examples of public and private structures that use automatic doors.

Automatic Door Types:

Different varieties of automatic doors exist, each with special features and advantages. The four most typical kinds of automatic doors are as follows:

Doors that Slid

The most common type of automatic door is the sliding door. They can be single or double doors that slide sideways on a track. Sliding doors are perfect for buildings with a lot of foot activity since they offer a big entrance and exit for visitors.

Door Swings

Swing doors, often referred to as hinged doors, function similarly to regular doors but are motorised to open and close on their own. Depending on the arrangement and form of the building, they can swing open on hinges either inward or outward. Swing doors are appropriate for places with little traffic or with a small amount of space.

Accordion Doors

Bi-fold doors, often known as folding doors, have two or more panels that fold inward when they are opened like an accordion. They are perfect for rooms with little floor space, like storage areas, closets, or dividing walls.

Turning doors

Circular doors that revolve around a central axis are known as revolving doors. They are made to be energy-efficient and weather-resistant by having an air infiltration reduction design. Revolving doors are frequently found in large commercial structures, such as banks, museums, or administrative buildings for the government.

Advantages of Automatic Doors:

Automatic doors offer many advantages over traditional doors, such as:

Convenience: Automatic doors provide hands-free access, allowing people to enter and exit a building with ease.

Safety: Automatic door are equipped with safety sensors that detect obstacles and prevent the door from closing on people or objects.

Accessibility: Automatic doors are designed to comply with accessibility standards, providing equal access to people with disabilities.

Energy efficiency: Automatic doors can help reduce energy costs by minimizing air infiltration and heat loss.

History of Automatic Doors:

The concept of automatic doors dates back to ancient times, where Greek and Roman engineers created hydraulic-powered doors for their temples and public buildings. However, it wasn't until the mid-20th century that automatic doors became widely popular, thanks to the invention of electric motors and sensors. The first automatic door was patented in 1954 by Dee Horton and Lew Hewitt, who developed a sliding door that used a radar system to detect people's movement

How Do Automatic Doors Work?

Automatic doors work by using sensors to detect the presence of people or objects and trigger the opening and closing mechanism. The most common types of sensors used in automatic doors are:

Motion sensors: These sensors detect movement within a specified range and trigger the door to open or close accordingly. They can be infrared or microwave sensors.

Pressure sensors: These sensors detect the weight or pressure of a person or object and trigger the door to open or close accordingly.

Optical sensors: These sensors use light beams to detect the presence of a person or object and trigger the door to open or close accordingly.

Once the sensors detect the presence of a person or object, the door's motor activates and moves the door either to the open or closed position. Some automatic doors have additional features, such as:

Delayed closing: This feature allows the door to stay open for a specified amount of time before closing automatically.

Hold-open feature: This feature allows the door to stay open until a button is pressed or a signal is received to close it.

Factors to Consider When Installing Automatic Doors:

When installing automatic doors, several factors should be considered to ensure their proper functioning and compliance with safety regulations. These factors include:

Maintenance and Repair of Automatic Doors

Regular maintenance and repair of automatic door are crucial for their longevity and proper functioning. Some of the maintenance and repair tasks include:

Conclusion:

Automatic doors are an essential part of modern buildings, providing convenience, safety, and accessibility to all users. Understanding the different types of automatic door their advantages, and factors to consider when installing, maintaining, and repairing them is crucial for ensuring their proper functioning and compliance with safety regulations. By following the guidelines and best practices outlined in this article, you can make informed decisions when selecting, installing, and maintaining automatic doors in your building.