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How to comply with EN16005 | A black and white image of a close-up view of two automatic sliding doors, marked with stickers labelling them

Home › Learning › What is door automation?

Door Automation

Door automation is a means of opening a door automatically so that the user does not need to touch the door in order to gain access.

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Who uses door automation?

Automatic doors are useful in a huge variety of settings for many different reasons. One of the most common reasons for installing them is to improve accessibility and mobility in a building. For wheelchair users or other people whose mobility is restricted (such as those who are disabled, elderly, pushing a pram, or carrying heavy loads), an automatic door makes getting into and around a building significantly easier.

Hygiene is also a common factor. Imagine how many people touch a door handle in a busy building every day. In environments where hygiene is a priority, such as hospitals, laboratories, and care homes, automatic doors can eliminate the risk of contamination through the sharing of surfaces.

Better accessibility for people with reduced mobility
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Better security with controlled door locking
Better efficiency with automation and reporting
An automatic door operator for swing doors is mounted above a white door frame, pushing the door open automatically

What are the different types of automatic door?

There are many different types of automatic doors, which are each suited to particular environments and building types.

  • Swing doors. These doors open in the same way as a normal manual door, with hinges down the outer long edge of the door. It might be a single or double door installation. The motor that operates to push or pull the door can be installed either above the door or underneath it in the floor.
  • Sliding doors. These doors open by sliding along a guide track to reveal an open space in the centre. The operator of sliding doors is usually installed above the door, but can also be embedded into the floor track. Sliding doors are commonly found in supermarkets and shopping centres where there is a high volume of traffic.
  • Bi-fold doors. This type of door consists of two or four leaves arranged adjacent to one another in a row. When activated, the leaves fold in alternating directions to open and reveal the entrance. Bi-fold doors are common where swing doors are not appropriate due to limited space.
  • Revolving doors. These doors are common in large offices and hotel lobbies. They consist of a number of leaves joined along the long side of the door, which revolve around a central point. They create an airlock effect, because the entrance is never fully exposed to the outside. This prevents cold air and noise from the street from getting into the building.

 

What are the different types of automation?

There are three main types of automation for doors. Deciding which one is appropriate for a project depends on the security requirements, user needs, and physical environment where the door is installed.

  • Fully automatic. The entrance is equipped with sensors that detect whenever a person is approaching the door. When a person is detected, the door is triggered to open immediately.
  • Semi automatic. There is a button or infrared activation sensor installed at the side of the doorway. The door is only triggered to open when a person approaches and either presses the button or waves a hand in front of the sensor.
  • Security controlled. The entrance is served by an access control system. When a person approaches, they must validate and authenticate their identity by presenting a credential: this could be a card, fob, keypad code, or biometric data such as a fingerprint.

DIGIWAY Door Automation

DIGIWAY is a flexible and reliable automation solution for swing doors.

Fully customisable and with remote smartphone-assisted programming, DIGIWAY makes installation and maintenance easy. A flexible solution, DIGIWAY door operators can be installed on both single and double doors, as well as on internal and external doors.

There are two versions of DIGIWAY operators: the Plus and the Spring Return. It’s important that you choose the right type of door operator for your project.

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Understanding the EN16005 regulation

Automatic doors are defined as machines. As such, installations must comply with the BS EN 16005 regulations, to ensure that automatic doors are not a risk to users. Our pre-packed DIGIWAY kits come with key components to make complying with the regulations easy.