Installing an automatic swing door in your building comes with a variety of benefits. Your entrance becomes more accessible, you help save energy by reducing the amount of heated or cooled air that escapes outside, and you offer an unspoken signal to visitors that their convenience will be prioritized in your building.
However, automating a swing door isn’t just about picking the style of door that works best for your entrance—it also means picking the right automatic door operator for your application. In this article, we’ll share what your door operator is and how it works, as well as explain why it’s necessary to pick the right one for your new automatic doors.
The Function of Your Door Operator
So what exactly is an automatic door operator? Put simply, it’s the electronic device that powers your automatic door. Door operators are generally categorized as either low-energy or full-power (high-energy) operators, with each designed to meet specific application requirements and safety standards.
In the United States, low-energy swing door operators are governed by ANSI/BHMA A156.19, while full-power automatic doors are governed by ANSI/BHMA A156.10. The distinction is not based on electrical consumption, but rather on how the door operates, how it is activated, and the safety requirements associated with its use.
As a primary factor a low energy door operator requires a person to consciously initiate the door’s opening, typically via means like a push button, wave-to-open sensor, or keycard swipe. Low energy door operators are used with doors that can be used manually but also need the option to be automatic, such as entrances that require an accessible method for people to enter and exit. These door operators are low energy because the doors will open slowly to allow someone to pass through. The doors stay open for a specified amount of time (typically longer), then close until the next time they are activated to open. Low-energy operators are designed to open and close at limited speeds and forces in accordance with ANSI/BHMA A156.19 requirements, helping create a safe and accessible entrance experience.
A full-power (high energy) door operator, by contrast, powers doors that open automatically in response to detecting approaching pedestrians. These systems are commonly used in busy entrances where hands-free operation is expected and where the door may cycle open and closed frequently throughout the day. Full-power operators are required to meet the safety and sensor requirements outlined in ANSI/BHMA A156.10 and are designed to accommodate higher traffic volumes while maintaining safe operation. Their faster operating speeds and reduced hold-open times improve throughput and convenience but also increase the potential for user interaction with the moving door. As a result, these systems require additional safety components.
Why Picking the Right Door Operator Is Important
Now that you understand the difference between low and full-power door operators, it’s easier to see why picking the right door operator is essential. Installing a low energy door operator in a high-traffic area where visitors expect the doors to open without any action from them will lead to frustration, as the doors will only open when activated.
In addition to making sure you have the correct door operator for your entrance’s needs, it’s also essential to assess your door’s weight to ensure that your door operator can appropriately handle it. For example, if you have a wider door to fit your entrance, requiring you to have larger doors, you’ll need to make sure that your door operator is equipped to handle this additional weight, since it will require more force to keep your automatic doors working properly.
You’ll also want to consider the wind and stack pressure of your building, since these can both add stress on your automatic door system. Especially with high-rise buildings, where warm air is constantly rising (creating positive pressure) and cool air is constantly falling (creating negative pressure), the result is stack pressure—an imbalance of pressure throughout the building. This can make it more difficult for automatic doors to open and close, as the pressure and winds may be keeping the doors closed or attempting to blow them open. Your door operator should be capable of compensating for these environmental conditions to work effectively, especially for stairwell exits or fire doors, where safety codes require doors to open with a reasonable amount of force or stay closed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke.
Depending on your doors and building, rather than ordering your automatic door and door operator together in one package, you might need to consider purchasing the door operator separately to ensure it has the exact specifications you need for your entrance. Working with a trusted automatic door partner like ASSA ABLOY is the best way to make sure all of the components of your door system work together seamlessly.
ASSA ABLOY SW200 and SW300 Operators
If you have a general sense of the door operator you need for your automatic doors but aren’t sure which specific operator to get, consider the ASSA ABLOY SW200 or SW300 operators, all of which can be installed and serviced by our AAADM-certified technicians. Each can be used in low energy or full energy configurations:
- SW200 OHC Swing Door Operator – This operator provides the strength needed for high-activity entrances while also providing gentle, smooth door operation. It compensates for stack pressure and wind load while allowing the doors to remain easy to open manually with an easy-to-use push force in power-off. Perfect for low-energy, heavy-duty, interior, and exterior entrances, as well as single- and double-leaf doors and escape routes with panic break-out and manual reset.
- SW200i Surface Mounted Door Operator – This surface mounted door operator features an intelligent and flexible design that offers high-quality performance in varying environments and conditions. This door operator is heavy-duty and includes stack pressure compensation, making it perfect for use on large, heavy doors in exterior and interior entryways or corridors. It also is adaptable to use for any swing door application, including a low-energy manual push force that provides smooth, efficient door operation.
- SW300 Swing Door Operator – This quiet door operator is an ideal choice for high-traffic entrances. It compensates for stack pressure and wind load while remaining easy to open manually, making it perfect for healthcare, residential, office, and public service environments where low noise and ease of access are both important. This door operator is perfect for low-energy and full-pedestrian usage, heavy-duty, interior and exterior entrances, single- and double-leaf doors, push and pull applications, fire doors, and escape routes with optional panic break-out in either direction.
Now that you better understand how your automatic doors and your door operator work in tandem, reach out to our team of architectural experts and we’ll help you find the perfect door operator for your specific entrance needs. Together, we’ll ensure that your automatic doors keep visitors moving easily in and out of your building for years to come!