A low-energy door operator is likewise an automatic door system, but it opens and closes slowly. Thus, these door operators are used for buildings that accommodate people with limited mobility, such as hospitals where a huge number of patients are elderly, and schools where playful kids can get hit by rapidly closing doors.
What is there to know about low-energy door operators? This guide will explore six important things to remember about these door operators. Here’s a summary:
-They are different from door closers
-Can be installed on swinging doors, too
-Can be totally contactless
-Are also used for emergencies
-Must comply with ADA door operator requirements
-Distinct from high-energy door operators
While both door operators and closers support a door’s operations, notice the difference in which aspect of door operation is being controlled.
Low-energy door operators work to open and close doors, but they only activate via a sensor, when a person pushes its button, or when they wave on a sensor just like waving at the sensor of an automatic sink.
While shopping for door operators, you must not mistake them for door closers because the latter ensure doors are fully closed and do not serve a purpose for doors opening.
Don’t swinging doors close when opened even without door closers or operators? Yes, but that doesn’t mean you cannot install door operators on swinging doors. In fact, they are very flexible because their opening force is adjustable.
While some low-energy door operators activate when waved on or when its button is pushed, the most innovative variants now are those that are contactless. Aside from saving you the time to wave on a sensor or push its button, such as when nurses rush to push a patient on a bed to the emergency room, contactless low-energy door operators are recommended.
This is somewhat related to the previous pointer in such a way that doors with low-energy door operators can open on their own or automatically when even a tiny bit of smoke or fire hazard is detected.
Though low-energy door operators ensure their products are safe to use, they must still comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA.
Generally, ADA requires doors with closers to take at least five seconds to maneuver from their open position of 90 to 12 degrees from the latch. This way, maximum safety is guaranteed even if the doors are already designed for slow opening and closing.
Low-energy door operators are provided as options because of the amount of energy required by a person to move the door, hence their name. Door operators have high- and low-energy versions.
Primarily, the distinction of low-energy door operators and high-energy ones is in their layout. For the former, there must be an automatic version for practical construction purposes.
Meanwhile, high-energy door operators or heavy-duty door operators are for doors that are fully automated, heavier, and moving more rapidly. For instance, for doors in areas with high human traffic.
However, not every low-energy door operator you can find on the market is created equal. You must consider the following factors to find the right one. Some of these factors are related to the information you learned about above:
While door operators are mostly different from door closers, you can install them together for your door systems. Some property owners choose to have both as they enhance functionality and safety. Door operators ensure the safety of the door area in high-traffic conditions, while door operators make sure the doors close securely. The two also promote accessibility, prevent unauthorized entry, and minimize air loss. To find some of the industry’s best door closers, visit the OUDE catalog.
