Many myths surround automatic door systems, not unlike the kind of stories you might hear in a small town. Some people claim they can sense your intentions or that they are as much a drain on the electric bill as they are a nuisance when they break down. Put those kinds of tales aside and examine the technology for what it is read more, however, and you will find little to back them up. We have put some of these assertions to the test.
Take the notion that an automatic unit will inflate the power tab in a way a manual door would not. It is a simple assumption to make: a motor running all day must be costly. In fact, the motor only engages in short bursts during each opening and closing cycle. When you factor in the heating or cooling lost because an employee has left a conventional door propped open, the automatic version is the sensible choice.
Do Automatic Doors Constantly Break Down?
You are bound to come across this grievance. There is some truth in it, even if it is overstated. Automatic doors contain motors, sensors, and control boards; with that many components there is a greater likelihood of something going wrong. However, a properly maintained system is highly reliable. In most cases a breakdown is due to poor maintenance and not bad engineering. It is akin to blaming the car for a flat when one has never thought to check the tire.
Do Automatic Doors Save Time?
The case can be made either way. If it is just one person coming into the building, two seconds is hardly worth noting. But in a hospital or retail environment where thousands come and go in a day, those seconds quickly add up. A customer with his arms full or a nurse with a gurney would rather not be fiddling with a handle. It is about taking the friction out of the day to day operations of the place.
No Guarantees
Don't assume that automatic means flawless. Weather, dirt, and everyday wear eventually affect performance. Leave a door to its own devices and after a year or so you will see idiosyncrasies develop in what was once a flawless installation. Like any mechanical system, automatic doors require routine maintenance to stay reliable. Ignoring maintenance can allow small issues to become costly repairs.