The Automatic Choice: How and when to select power-operated doors

What is the intended traffic flow?
A second key factor to consider is intended traffic flow. Automatic swinging doors are typically used for directional or one-way traffic—in most cases, one door is used for ingress and the other for egress. Automatic sliding doors, on the other hand, can be the most efficient way to handle simultaneous, two-way traffic. These flat panels slide horizontally and linearly; given the variety of configurations, symbols have been assigned to the individual panels that make up an entryway. These types of sliding doors are depicted in ANSI/BHMA A156.10, Standard for Power Operated Pedestrian Doors (Figure 1).

Briefly, there are three different kinds of automatic sliding door configurations to consider during the construction process:

• single slide;
• bi-part slide; and
• telescopic slide (a good choice when wall space is limited).

No matter the configuration, the system design must include the appropriate sensors or control mats, along with signage. ANSI/BHMA A156.10 has sections addressing user safety and convenience; examples include “Control Mats or Sensors” (Section 7 or 8), “Knowing Act” (Section 9), “Entrapment” (Section 10), and “Signage” (Section 11).

Is this product up to code?
Power-operated doors are unique given the several safety concerns surrounding their installation—they open at faster speeds and with greater forces than typical manual doors. Therefore, while the type and quantity of users are two of the most important factors to consider when selecting an automatic door, it is imperative whichever style is chosen meets federal, state, and local building codes.

Codes for power-operated pedestrian doors may require the door swing out in emergencies when pushed in the direction of egress. Codes may also mandate all automatic door openings be a precise width based on the size of the store or facility. Further, in order to meet minimum compliance guidelines set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), there must be an adequate area around the door for maneuvering, and the door should be able to be opened with minimal effort, among other regulations.

Automatic doors must also follow standards set by BHMA, which are designed in large part to safeguard the pedestrians who use the store or facility. ANSI/BHMA A156.10, Standard for Power-operated Doors, requires elements such as sensors to ensure no pedestrian is hit or injured while walking through the door. Sensors also help make certain while the door opens automatically, it will not close automatically at the wrong time.

Other ANSI/BHMA standards for power-operated doors include:

• A156.19, Power-assist and Low-energy Power-operated Doors;
• A156.27, Power- and Manual-operated Revolving Pedestrian Doors; and
• A156.38, Low-energy Power-operated Sliding and Folding Doors.

At the rate at which new technologies are being developed and adapted, the standards for power-operated doors are constantly being updated. In fact, BHMA mandates these standards be reviewed for updates at least once every five years.

How important is energy efficiency?
The cost of operating automatic doors is relatively low. Further, many businesses find installing automatic doors actually decreases their energy costs. This is because it eliminates the need to worry about doors accidentally being left open. While the energy costs associated with automatic doors differ significantly depending on the climate, traffic, setting, and type being used, there are a variety of automatic doors that can be installed to help save energy.

Low-energy swinging doors, for example, save energy by operating slower than full-powered automatic doors, using very little force. They also require the user to push a button to operate. (Able-bodied individuals may also use the entrance as a manual door.) Low-energy swinging doors are the most common type of automatic doors, especially since they are designed to facilitate entrance and exit out of a building for disabled persons. Low-energy automatic sliding doors, as well as folding doors, are also available. A vestibule area, while not necessary, may also help reduce additional energy costs that sometimes result from the loss of heating or cooling.