If your business has an automatic door, keeping its safety features up to date and working smoothly will protect customers and staff from potential accidents. Although many of these features are built in, they should be tested at installation and periodically afterward to make sure they’re working as intended. Here are some essential factors to check.

Automatic Door Safety Checklist

1. Correct Door Installation

When you have an automatic door installed, you should choose an experienced contractor to do the work. Ask your contractor how long they’ve been working with automatic doors, and get references to former clients with similar projects to see what kind of results you can expect. Choosing a company with a proven track record helps ensure the door will slide smoothly, won’t run into obstacles, and has all its settings correctly adjusted for safety.

2. Activation

Your automatic door may rely on an overhead sensor to determine when to open, or may have a floor mat that reacts to being stepped on. Find out which your door uses, and test for any blind spots, sensitivity issues, or an incorrect activation distance by approaching the door at different angles and speeds.

3. Safety Beams

Many automatic doors have a small infrared sensor at each side that stops the door from closing if the beam is interrupted by a person or object in the doorway. Carefully test this feature by obstructing the beam with an object. Don’t stand between the doors until you’re sure they stop correctly.

4. Closing Speed

Doors that close too quickly are more likely to cause an injury because of increased force and the likelihood of catching someone by surprise. Set the doors to slow down as they close.

5. No Obstructions

Make sure there are no objects, such as potted plants or merchandise displays, that could obstruct either the sliding doors or access to the doorway. This will help traffic flow smoothly as well as prevent potential damage to the doors and the motor from being blocked.

If you want automatic doors for your business installed correctly and tested for safety, choose Automatic Door Specialists in Waipahu, HI. Based on Oahu and serving the neighbor islands as well, they have over 30 years of experience in the installation, maintenance, and repair of commercial doors, including sliding, swinging, folding, and overhead doors. To select from their huge inventory and arrange installation, call (808) 678-8880 or reach out online.