Low-Energy Door Operators: What You Need to Know
If you own or manage a local business, you understand that it is important to make it as easy as possible for your customers and clients to get in while still providing your business with the security it needs. That is why you should know about low-energy door operators, and they can come in many shapes and forms.
You need to reach out to an expert who can help you find the right door operators for your business, and low-energy door operators might be right for you. What do you need to know about this option?
What Are Low-Energy Door Operators?
Low-energy door operators are designed to be open either manually or automatically. The door can be opened automatically when a separate device is triggered. For example, there might be a panel that you can wave your hand in front of, triggering the door to open. Or, there might be a button on the floor that you can step on or kick to open the door. These doors are already found in front of a variety of areas, including office buildings, schools, and government buildings. Because they don’t require a lot of energy to open, they are called low-energy door operators.
Related article: Accessibility Compliance Now Requires Automatic Door Operators.
Why Are They Required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?
There is even a chance that low-energy door operators could be required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The biggest reason why these doors are required for certain businesses is that they make it easier for people with mobility issues to get in or out of the building.
For example, someone in a wheelchair may have a difficult time opening the door manually; however, if there is a panel next to the door that they can wave their hand in front of, they will be able to get into the building without having to get out of the chair. These types of doors are also helpful for people who use canes, as they might not have to take their hands off of the cane to open the door.
What Do Businesses Need to Know About Their Requirements, Installation, and Maintenance?
If you are installing low-energy door operators for your business, you need to be familiar with a few important points. They include:
- You must make sure the person using the door is not going to be trapped or injured when the door opens and closes automatically.
- You should also make sure that the device that triggers the door to open is not too close to the door. That way, when someone triggers the door to open, they will not be struck by it.
- There might be times when you want the latch to be always unlocked, and other times when you want the door to be unlocked only with the use of a specific credential. This is the difference between fail-safe and fail-secure hardware. You should work with a professional team that can make sure the latch is in the correct position during specific times of the day.
- There might be regular software updates and mechanical maintenance that has to be performed on the automatic door operator. A professional team can let you know what the schedule looks like.
Related article: Guide to Door Lock Compliance for Business Owners.
Make sure you work with an expert who can help you find the right low-energy door operator for your business.
Commercial Locksmith Assitance with Low-Energy Door Operators
You may need to install low-energy door operators to make access easier for your customers and clients while also complying with all relevant business regulations. If you want to get the most out of your automatic low-energy door operator, reach out to Great Vally Lockshop.
