At DT Services Ltd, we have over 20 years of combined experience in manufacturing, installing and maintaining automatic doors. During those years, we have worked on every style of automatic door available and in our experience we don’t usually recommend revolving doors to most of our customers.
There are many reasons why we believe that other solutions, such as sliding doors or swing doors usually make a more suitable choice for most premises.
Limited Accessibility
One of the key advantages of automatic doors is the improved accessibility to a premises. Navigating through automatic revolving doors can be challenging for individuals with mobility issues due to the limited accessibility provided by the narrow passageways. As you approach the door, you may find it difficult to enter or exit smoothly, especially if you rely on a wheelchair or walker. The narrow space can make it challenging to maneuver your equipment, causing potential accidents or delays.
Additionally, the speed at which the doors rotate can be overwhelming, making it harder to time your movements. It’s crucial for establishments to consider the accessibility needs of all individuals, including those with mobility issues.
Alternative options, such as automatic sliding doors or wider passageways, can greatly improve the accessibility and ensure a comfortable experience for everyone. You often find revolving doors include a more traditional swing door next to them for disabled access, which results in a significant increase in the project’s costs.
Maintenance Challenges
Maintaining automatic revolving doors can present challenges due to the complex mechanisms and intricate components involved. You need to regularly inspect and lubricate the moving parts to ensure smooth operation. The sensors that detect motion and control the door’s speed require constant calibration to avoid malfunctions. If any component fails, it can disrupt the entire system, leading to costly repairs and potential downtime.
Additionally, the regular cleaning of the glass panels and stainless steel surfaces is essential to maintain the doors’ aesthetic appeal. Many of our clients don’t believe that this represents a valuable use of staff time.
Finding qualified technicians who can troubleshoot and repair these doors can be challenging, especially in remote areas. Therefore, it’s crucial to have a proactive maintenance plan in place to address these challenges promptly and keep your automatic revolving doors functioning effectively.
Cost Implications
Compared to sliding doors and swing doors, automatic revolving doors can present a higher investment. While these doors may seem like a convenient and modern addition to your building, they can impact on your budget which may be better spent elsewhere.
The initial installation cost of automatic revolving doors is significantly higher compared to traditional automatic doors. Their more complex mechanisms cause an increased expense.
The more complex nature of an automatic revolving door means that their regular servicing can be more difficult. This maintenance includes servicing the motor, sensors, and control system, which can add up over time. Moreover, if any component of the door malfunctions, the repair costs can be substantial compared to sliding or swing doors.
Safety Concerns
You should always be aware of safety concerns when using any mechanised components, doors included.
One of the main concerns is the possibility of getting caught in the doors. As they rotate, there’s a small gap between the stationary frame and the moving panels. This gap presents an opportunity for clothing, bags, or even body parts becoming trapped in this gap, causing injury. To prevent this, revolving doors include safety features such as pressure switches which are activated upon contact with the door, or sensors which can detect objects in the detection zone. However, these additional required safety features will also add to their cost.
Another safety concern relates to the emergency evacuation of the premises. Revolving doors are not suitable as fire exits, and so fire exit doors must also be installed on the building often adjacent to the revolving door. This leads many people to believe that installing a swing door represents improved safety for their staff and visitors, and better value for money as they don’t need to install two sets of doors.
Automatic Door Specialists
If you have any further questions or concerns regarding automatic doors on your premises, get in touch with us and one of our qualified engineers will be happy to provide advice and guidance on the use of automatic doors on your building.