The Shift Continues Toward Automatic Doors

A recent article in Architectural Digest states that “Almost everyone predicts that public spaces will move toward more automation to mitigate contagion, with COVID-19 speeding up the development of all types of touch-less technology—automatic doors, voice-activated elevators, cell phone-controlled hotel room entry, hands-free light switches, and temperature controls, automated luggage bag tags, and advanced airport check-in and security.”

Touchless solutions are an important part of keeping society safe by helping to keep germs and future viruses from spreading and adapting to a world that will never quite be the same. Entryways are the first impression of most businesses, and one of the most touched surfaces. Along with the touchless benefits, there are so many other great reasons to install automatic doors. 

ADA Compliance

For someone who is disabled or in a wheelchair, manual doors can often be a barrier to freely move throughout a building or enter a retail store. Installing automatic doors that can be opened at the wave of a hand at entrances and throughout buildings such as offices or libraries is an easy way to make people feel more welcomed and be able to move throughout. The newly released International Building Code (IBC) for 2021 includes a provision that mandates the inclusion of automatic doors for entrances to public buildings. 

Traffic Flow

For customers and staff, the functionality of your building relies on entrances that help maintain an optimal flow. Automatic doors open seamlessly when needed allowing the volume of goods and customers to come and go easily throughout the day. Avoiding congestion at your entrances can help improve business and make you the preferred provider over overcrowded competitors. 

Energy Efficiency 

Automatic doors open only when needed, and stay closed when you want them to. This allows you to keep your building's heat and cooling inside, and keep the weather outside, not only lowering your building's heating and cooling costs but also keeping staff and customers more comfortable.  

Protection against outside forces

Automatic sliding doors that are rated for hurricane resistance or forced entry provide an extra layer of protection against outside forces such as wind, break-ins, debris, etc. Not only will these protections help keep your business safe when open, but help you have peace of mind when your building is locked and closed up for the night. 

Hands-free access 

Having the ability to enter a doorway touch-free has taken on an entirely new meaning in the era of COVID-19. As we begin to enter a new era, this is a still a vitally important service you can provide to your customers, employees and the community-at-large. Whether you are building new or wanting to modify an existing manual door, there are entrance solutions that can provide hand-free access to your building, bathroom, conference rooms, etc. Equipping these doors with touchless wave plates provides an extra layer of touchless protection and improves the functionality of your entrance. In addition to keeping germs and viruses from spreading, touchless access allows customers who have their hands full with bags, strollers, or food & drinks from having to open a manual door. 

No matter what your reason for wanting to install automatic doors, we have a vast range of touchless entry solutions ready to help you shift towards automatic technologies and adapt public spaces to provide a more accessible world. Contact us today.