How to find the right type of high speed door for your business

Use these ten checkpoints to steer your decision-making process and discover the high speed door that best suits the specific demands and tasks within your company. Each question further narrows down the suitable door type until - once all questions have been answered - you have specified the optimal door for yourself.

1. Location
2. Door size and dimensions
3. Who or what happens at the door?
4. How often is the door opened and closed?
5. Work area and environmental area
6. Possible limitations during installation
7. Any special design requirements
8. Door controls
9. Accessories
10. Installation of the new door
    
    

1. Will the high-speed door be used indoors or outdoors?

The first question is always the basic location of the door, to determine if you need a door for indoor or outdoor use. This distinction helps establish the appropriate door type and its characteristics, as not all doors are equally suited for both environments.

2. What dimensions should your new door have?

After determining the location of the door, the next step involves specifying the door's size. Identify the necessary dimensions: what are the minimum and maximum sizes the door can be, and is there any room for manoeuvre here? The answers change the selection of suitable door once again, especially if you have to equip a particularly large or small door opening.

3. What kind of traffic needs to pass through the door?

Once the location and size of the door have been determined, we start looking at the type and volume of traffic that has to pass through the door on a daily basis. Whether vehicles such as lorries and cars, industrial vehicles like forklift trucks, or pedestrians need access affects the specifications of the high speed door. Different traffic types warrant specific door characteristics such as speed, safety features, self-opening mechanisms, and curtain material.

4. How often is the door operated?

To find the right door for your requirements, you must determine in advance how often the door is operated in everyday work situations. The number of door cycles per month, week, day or hour provides information about the required door type as well as the regular door load and control mechanism. This is also where it is decided whether it makes sense to install a high-speed door or whether a sectional door would be more suitable.

5. What environmental conditions need to be taken into account?

In addition to the work processes within the company, the local environmental conditions also play an important role. Extreme weather, temperature variations and humidity levels, either indoors or outdoors, pose particular challenges and the type of door must be adapted to resist these. Think also about whether the door will be exposed to certain chemicals or required to separate rooms or specially protected areas.

Key considerations should be:

-          Physical changes (temperature, pressure, humidity)

-          Wind load

-          Degree of protection (IP)

-          Explosion protection

-          Escape route

-          Durability of the door material

-          Cleanability/hygiene

-          Insulation

-          Energy efficiency

6. Are there any restrictions on installation?

In order to be able to install the desired type of door, you need to take into account the possible restrictions and conditions during installation. This includes any special features or existing elements such as pipes or crane runways. The structure and texture of the wall (load-bearing and level) also influence which door is suitable for installation. For example, does the building construction require an additional substructure, extra mounting access or secure access in case of power failure?

7. Do you have any special design requirements?

The appearance of the door is as important as its functions when it comes to choosing the right door. This includes the necessary motor and head covers, viewing windows and the colour and material surface of the door and curtain as well as the integration with the building façade. A range of customisations are possible depending on the type of door.

8. Do you have special requirements for door control?

Depending on the location of the new high speed door, certain operating modes may require special functions. Examples include:

-          Airlock function – for cleanroom environments and strict hygienic regulations

-          Locking as an additional safety element

-          Integration into a higher-level system

-          Additional pulse generators (mechanical or electrical)

-          Connectivity to the building management system

9. Which accessories could bring additional benefits?

To enhance door integration and optimise operational processes, optional accessories like control technology, sensor technology, and networking can be added. For a future-proof door, sensor technology and networking should certainly be considered and discussed in detail at your consultation.

10. Who will be responsible for the professional installation of the new door?

After identifying the ideal high-speed door for your location and application, determining who will professionally install the door is crucial. Factors like installation requirements, customer responsibilities, and the assembly timeline must be clarified to minimise disruptions to your company's operations.

Given the complexity of choosing and installing a high-speed door, we highly recommend seeking expert advice. Get in touch with our team for personalised guidance