As technology continues to reshape our daily lives, all types of businesses and establishments are embracing the power of innovation to help enhance the safety, accessibility and efficiency of their buildings. And whilst not necessarily a place of commerce, Schools are no exception here. One innovation that is proving to be popular and increasingly utilised, is the installation of automatic doors in educational institutions. Looking beyond the simple act of their function of opening and closing, automatic doors offer a myriad of benefits that contribute to a safer, more inclusive, and seamless learning environment. With various types of automatic doors available on the market, from aluminium sliding doors to swing doors, here we take a look at the advantages that they can bring to schools.

Enhancing Safety and Security

It goes without saying that the safety of students is a number one priority in any educational setting. Automatic doors can be a great aid in bolstering security measures. With the option of installing them with advanced sensors and control systems, these doors can provide access management, greatly reducing unauthorised entry. By eliminating the need for manual door operation, automatic doors can also minimise the risk of accidents and injuries caused by slamming doors, trapped fingers, or crowded exits during emergency situations.

Promoting Accessibility and Inclusion

Creating an inclusive learning environment that accommodates individuals of all abilities is now a core principle for most modern schools. Automatic doors significantly contribute to fostering accessibility by removing physical barriers. Students, staff and visitors with mobility limitations or wheelchair users, can effortlessly navigate through entrances without depending on others for assistance. Schools and colleges can be busy places with many people coming and going throughout the day, such as delivery people and catering companies. Automatic doors assist with easy access for any individuals carrying heavy loads in these instances. Promoting independence, inclusivity, and a sense of equality within a school community is a priority today and automatic doors can be a great asset here.

Helping to Streamline Traffic Flow

The heavy foot traffic that schools experience during peak hours, such as morning drop-offs and afternoon pick-ups can be managed more efficiently with the installation of automatic doors. By swiftly opening and closing and allowing for the seamless movement of students, parents, and staff, congestion is reduced, and the overall efficiency of daily operations is improved. Additionally, automatic doors equipped with programmable schedules can adapt to varying traffic patterns, further enhancing the flow during specific periods of the day. If safety is of increased concern, additional security measures can be introduced, such as card entry and remote access control.

Managing Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

Lots of schools are now including environmental conservation as part of their annual goals and actions. Many are actively seeking ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Automatic doors contribute to energy efficiency by minimising heat loss or gain. Their quick closing mechanism helps to maintain a more consistent air temperature. By regulating the temperature inside the building, automatic doors help to reduced energy consumption and lower utility costs.

Improved Hygiene and Sanitation for Peace of Mind

With the most recent global health concerns, guaranteeing a hygienic and sanitary environment has become a priority for the Heads of Departments and Buildings managers of schools. Automatic doors eliminate the need for the frequent use of traditional door handles. This helps to limit the transmission of germs and bacteria that may reside on them. By integrating touchless operation or hands-free sensors, these doors provide an additional layer of protection against the spread of infectious diseases, contributing to the overall health and well-being of the school community.

A choice of automatic doors

There are a variety of automatic doors that schools can choose from to suit their spaces and requirements. Aluminium sliding doors are aesthetically pleasing and don’t require any additional indoor space since they slide open against themselves. They are also fast opening so are great for educational settings that have a high footfall. Automatic swing doors are easy to install, are an economic option and can be fitted in existing doorways and on existing doors. Both these types of doors can be fitted with access control to support the safety of students.

Crucial Engineering – Trusted Partners for Automatic Doors

As experts in all things aluminium, automatic doors are no exception. Here at Crucial, we provide automatic door solutions for education settings, supporting their safety, security and sustainability aims. With trustworthy, DBS checked engineers, Crucial can be onsite to install your automatic doors without compromising the integrity and safeguarding of your school. If you are looking for a reliable, punctual and transparent service to install automatic doors at your school, contact our friendly team to arrange a chat about your requirements.