Are you thinking about installing automatic swing doors in your building? Here are ten things you should consider.

Who will use the door

The primary users of an automatic door affect the demands on functionality and personal safety. In environments with a high proportion of children, elderly or people with special needs the demands on personal safety increase. Perhaps you would like the door to open and close at high speed – which further influences how the door leaf’s movement is to be secured.

Mounting side

A modern automatic swing door operator with good performance is either mounted on the opening or closing side of a door, if the design of the door environment permits this. For exterior doors the choice of placement is given as the operator is normally not placed outdoors.

However, indoors there is a choice to make. Mounting the operator on the closing side of the door, also called pushing application, gives a good reliable solution together with a hinged arm system. If you choose a pulling installation instead, you combine this with a pull arm and a guide rail on the door leaf.

Wall reinforcement

The functionality of the door operator and future service requirements depends largely on its initial installation and fastening. Therefore make sure the fastening surface for both the mechanism and arm system is reinforced according to the manufacturer’s instructions and then, of course, on the right side of the wall.

Cable and wiring management

A modern safe and energy-saving automatic door operator requires a number of cable connections. Concealed cables require pre-routed conduits in the wall, door leaf and section as well as concealed door loops. The conduits must be designed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and should also include impulse sensors, for example, elbow switches, in the conduit. The number of concealed door loops is affected by the choice of electromechanical locking system and the use of presence sensors.

Space requirements

There are several factors to take into consideration regarding the space around the door. The mechanism must fit on the door frame or transom. In addition, some vertical space is required to align an appropriate arm system. Also ensure that the operator has some lateral space.

When it comes to the design or choice of door leaf, it is important that there is space for the presence sensor and fastening of the arm system. Dividing of double-leaf doors should occur so that a presence sensor, if used, is fitted on the passive door leaf. Ideally avoid narrow double-leaf doors where the passive door leaf is narrower than 500 millimetres – as there may be a lack of space for the arm system and presence sensors.

Door leaf width and weight

This is probably the first question a door operator supplier asks. The width and weight in combination with the environment, are used to determine the level of performance the mechanism needs to provide.

Escape and fire requirements

Will this automatic door operator be located in a fire cell boundary or are there evacuation requirements? These parameters are extra important to check and they dictate which automatic door operator should be used.

This becomes particularly important for double-leaf doors as fire requirements bring about demands on coordinated closing of the door leaves, which must also be considered in a de-energized state. You may also need to configure the system so that any radar and presence impulses work with the requirements specification.

Control and functionality

How do you want the automatic door operator to work? Should automatic opening only occur via a push button, or should the door open automatically via radar impulses for improved flow? Should the door section be held open and closed in the event of fire alarm? Having a clear picture of how it should work at an early stage facilitates the design of the system.

Door stop

In principle all entrance doors in the facade require a door stop to be used so that the swing doors do not blow or are thrown open and cause damage to the mechanism and facade. Will an external door stop be used or is there functionality in the system to integrate a stop within the operator?

Future service

In accordance with the Machinery directive (MD2006/42/EC), all swing door operators shall undergo proven maintenance, performed according to the specified directive. Ensure that the door solutions you create can be maintained by an established partner.

Learn more about our automatic door solutions: https://www.assaabloyentrance.com/ie/en/solutions/products/automatic-doors