How to design for a changing climate

It is more critical than ever that designers and specifiers incorporate sustainable design principles into the specification process. This means selecting automatic door systems that enable the delivery of temperate indoor environments by:

• preventing the loss of conditioned air during operation;
• incorporating glazing and other elements with the lowest possible U-value (the rate of transfer of heat through a structure)4 to provide insulation against solar gain; and
• making efficient use of energy in actuators and other mechanised components.

THE PROBLEMS OF INCORRECT SPECIFICATION

Automatic doors can have significant shortcomings if specified incorrectly for a particular building type.

• LOSS OF AIRFLOW

The loss of airflow when doors are left open for too long can have a negative impact on a building’s carbon footprint. This is due to air leakage and the additional mechanical heating and cooling required to compensate for energy loss. This reduces the efficiency of climate control systems, posing a sustainability issue and raising building operating costs.

Doors that do not efficiently open and close can lead to temperature fluctuations and poor Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), which can reduce thermal comfort levels and negatively impact occupant health and well-being. In the case of quarantine areas in healthcare and transit environments, the potential health risks are heightened by poorly specified door systems.

• SAFETY RISKS

Higher quality automatic doors will typically incorporate safety features that prevent injury caused by poorly timed door opening or closure. For example, advanced door systems may include automated control systems that more accurately detect entrants. These doors also typically incorporate more effective design mechanisms to prevent fingers and limbs from being crushed in the gaps immediately surrounding the doors.

• COSTS

Poorly designed door systems can result in increased running costs, but there are also extra costs associated with rectifying and maintaining inappropriately specified systems. Inadequate door systems are at risk of persistent malfunctions and breakdowns, incurring additional repair or replacement costs. In some cases, an otherwise effective door system may not be fit for purpose for a specific environment. For example, a solution that is designed for low traffic scenarios will be at greater risk of breakdown if specified for a high traffic environment.

• SUSTAINABILITY

Poorly specified door systems can give rise to sustainability issues due to the aforementioned air leaks and inefficient mechanical components. Inefficient automatic doors can reduce a building’s sustainability value and affect its rating in certification schemes such as BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

• VISUAL DISRUPTION

Low quality automatic door systems will often not only function poorly, they will also have poor aesthetics that are inconsistent with the visual look of most contemporary buildings. Higher quality door systems will typically offer a range of design options, enabling designers and specifiers to select a solution that is visually in line with any architectural style or aesthetic.

BEFORE YOU SPECIFY A DOOR

Have a discussion with one of our door specialists, to ensure the right door is specified for your environment. At ASSA ABLOY, we are always implementing our latest technology that not only will save you money due to efficiency, but also the best in class safety, and style to best fit the purpose of the building.

In line with the growing global focus on sustainability, ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems integrates environmental awareness and action into all stages of their process, from product development and source to manufacturing and logistics.

Call us on 1300 13 13 10 or email us at info.au.entrance@assaabloy.com