Different Types of High Speed Doors and their Advantages
For some businesses, controlling and protecting the premises environment is not solely about security but can be critical to what the premises is actually being used for as well. For example, controlling the ambience of the environment is essential for some manufacturing processes, particularly in food and chemical processing. However, this is just one example in a sea of many. High-speed doors are designed to provide rapid and efficient access while maintaining environmental control and safety for various types of businesses. Sometimes called fast acting doors or rapid roll doors, here we have a look at some different types of these high-speed doors and some of the features and advantages they offer.
Folding High-Speed Doors
- Folding doors consist of multiple, interconnected panels that fold and unfold in a concertina, fan like motion during operation. They can either be single stack (slide to one side) or bi-folding (split in two, open in the centre and fold outwards).
- Requiring minimal space, folding doors are ideal for areas with limited headroom or side space.
- They are usually fabricated out of steel or aluminium, and can come with the option of windows in them, which mean they provide natural light for environments that require it.
- Whilst not the very fastest on the market, these doors are ideal in some settings and offer rapid cycle times, allowing for efficient traffic flow.
- The flexible panels of folding doors absorb sound, reducing noise transfer between different areas of a warehouse or business. This can be particularly important for premises that have a front and back of house type operation.
- These type of fast acting doors often incorporate safety sensors and emergency stop mechanisms to enhance safety.
Sectional High-Speed Doors
- Sectional doors are composed of multiple horizontal panels that move upwards vertically on tracks. They are usually made from galvanised steel or aluminium and can also be fitted with windows to allow in natural light.
- Because sectional doors move vertically, they allow for better use of available space compared to traditional swing-out or folding doors. This is essential for some business where utilising every inch of space is key such as storage facilities and where vehicles are required to reverse in for deliveries and collections.
- Sectional high-speed doors offer superior insulation properties, contributing to temperature control and energy efficiency. On top of this, they can be excellent for fire rated options to help prevent the spread of fire and smoke.
- These doors are designed to withstand strong winds, making them ideal for exterior applications or for locations where frequent adverse weather conditions are a concern.
- Sectional overhead doors can be tailored to specific requirements, such as size, colour, and window options. These types of high speed doors offer a wider range of aesthetic finishes than roller shutters, despite similar space saving profiles.
Roll-Up High-Speed Doors
- Rapid roll doors consist of a flexible curtain panels or slats that roll up and down around themselves. They are most commonly used in industrial settings and warehouses.
- As their name suggests, rapid roll doors can open and close super-fast which allows for high-speed traffic flow and keeps a tight control over both temperature and security.
- As mentioned above, the fast operation of rapid roll doors minimises air exchange between different areas within a business premises which in turn reduces energy loss and maintains temperature control.
- Dust and debris can be a huge concern for some types of manufacturing. The speed of a rapid roll door can help reduce the risk of contamination where opening and closing is required multiple times throughout a working day.
- These doors are manufactured to withstand frequent use and harsh environments which helps ensure long-term reliability and value for money.
- Businesses have the option of including safety sensors and auto-reversing mechanisms with their installation of rapid roll doors which helps to prevent accidents and damage.
Crucial Engineering – We Know High Speed Doors
Crucial are leaders in aluminium manufacturing and automated system solutions. Our high speed doors have provided safety and security for countless clients and businesses. Supplying a range of solutions, we can tailor our offering to match the needs of your business. Give us a call and tell us about what you might be looking for and our friendly team will be on hand to help figure out what we can do.
7 advantages of High Speed Doors
If your business operates around a warehouse, workshop, distribution centre or factory then commercial high speed doors can be a great addition. By the nature of their name, they open and close quickly which brings a host of benefits over utilising more traditional types of door.
In this post we’re going to look at our top 7 advantages of high speed doors in more detail.
1. Speed equals higher productivity
Put simply, due to the fact high speed doors open and close so quickly, they make many jobs within your business more efficient, which boosts productivity. Even just saving people a few moments every time they pass through your doors quickly adds up to a lot of time saved.
2. Less open time means enhanced security
The speed at which they open and close also provides enhanced security as there’s no need for them to stay open for prolonged periods of time. The risk that an unauthorised person passes through is drastically reduced compared to other types of door.
In addition, high speed doors include tough aluminium which makes them incredibly difficult for any intruders to break through. Removing any opportunity for a thief to access your business keeps both your premises but also your staff safe.
3. Speed doesn’t mean reduced safety
Even though high speed doors open and close quickly they’re very safe. The edges of the door can be made very soft so any potential injuries from vertical impacts are significantly reduced. Some industrial rapid doors can also be fitted with an automatic reverse mechanism that retracts the door upon any potential unexpected impact.
Any faults that may increase safety risks can be almost eradicated by ensuring your doors are kept in the very best condition through regular maintenance.
4. Insulating properties reduce heat loss
High speed doors are fantastic heat insulators as not only are they designed to stay closed when the entrance is not in use, they are sealed on all sides which minimises any heat loss. At the same as keeping the cold out, they’ll also keep the cold in which makes them a great choice as access points to industrial fridges or freezes.
5. Materials are easy to clean and maintain
In industries where hygiene is a priority, high speed doors provide an easy to clean surface which can withstand regular cleaning with strong cleaning agents.
Plus, in the rare event that your high speed doors encounter a fault, it’s nearly always something that can be quickly fixed. They have very few moving parts so maintenance is quick and any down time can be kept to an absolute minimum so your regular operations can get back up and running,
Crucial have a mobile team that are experts in all aspects of high speed doors and can ensure yours remain in the very best condition.
6. Remove the risk of contamination in controlled environments
High speed doors are commonplace in environments where it’s essential there’s no cross contamination or where each area of the premises needs to be kept clean. By keeping your doors closed you can be sure that outside elements and debris such as dirt or even wildlife don’t enter your business.
7. Control airflow and reduce airborne debris
A key reason why many industries use high speed doors is to control the airflow through any warehouse or large commercial space. They’re fantastic at reducing the amount of dust or debris that might otherwise spread through your business. Some businesses also utilise 2 sets of high speed doors together which creates a kind of air lock to prevent the spread of any dust from one space to another.