Automatic Doors: A Sustainable Approach to Modern Hygienic Buildings Suresh Panneerselvam, Managing Director, Auto Ingress India Private Limited

Automatic Doors: A Sustainable Approach to Modern Hygienic Buildings

CO N T E M P O R A R Y CHALLENGES IN BUILDING INDUSTRY SECTOR

Use of mechanical door handles, manual operation of the door can many times be exasperating. It may not be on top of mind for people to close doors every time. This situation is not only inconvenient for day-to-day use, but also jeopardise the safety and security of the building and its occupants.

The manually operated doors are also prone to hazards of cross-contamination in areas where hygiene is of paramount importance for buildings such as hospitals, laboratories, food processing units, public access doors and toilets.

Unlike common users, opening and closing of a manually operated door could be arduous for people with special needs such as wheelchair users, children, senior citizens, the disabled and the like.

The carbon footprint is yet another challenge prevailing across the word. Global inventions are focussed towards a greener and more sustainable environment. Manually operated doors when left open, pose a major threat, leading to increased power consumption costs and further adding to global carbon footprints; the damaging effects of which are alarming.

NEED OF THE HOUR

Smart entrance solutions that can ensure complete safety, security, comfort, convenience, hygiene

A modern retail space with curved door

of building occupants and at the same time yield sustainable return of investments for end users such as optimising emergency costs and reduce carbon footprints for the community as a whole.

WHY CHOOSE AN AUTOMATIC SYSTEM?

Automatic entrances are not only the preferred choice of specifying community, such as architects, planners and consultants, but also for the builders, promoters and end-users for the following reasons: • Automatic doors ensure complete safety of its users as it has many built-in plus optional safety features for day-today applications • The integrated electric locking mechanisms ensure that the security of the building entrances are given utmost attention • Automatic doors are extremely reliable and comfortable to use for people of all groups may it be abled (or) disabled, young (or) old and these doors do not discriminate between the users and offers convenient barrier-free access to buildings Automatic door is the need of the hour especially in areas that calls for extreme hygienic conditions. Some of these applications include automatic doors in intensive care units, operation theatres, isolation wards, blood bank, testing laboratories, pharmaceutical units, food processing units, public transit systems, airports where the risk of cross-contamination is exceptionally high Automatic doors are rapidly gaining importance in toilets, especially for disabled users in public as well as commercial buildings such as airports, shopping malls, hotels, IT companies, factories, etc. Automatic panic breakout doors are the most widely used applications for effectively and quickly evacuating building occupants in case of an emergency such as fire and smoke. They are gaining more popularity in areas such as airports, metro, shopping centres, etc.

APPLICATION AREAS OF AUTOMATIC SYSTEM IN MODERN ERA:

• Automatic doors are being used widely in mass public transport systems such as platform screen doors in metros as well as the doors in metro compartments

Automatic doors are also used for providing convenient, safe and regulated access

Automatic doors are also used for providing convenient, safe and regulated access in areas such as rapid bus transport system Automatic garage doors are being used in villas and private properties which can be controlled and activated using a smart mobile app such as home automation systems Automatic window systems are being used these days for common and natural ventilation in both commercial and residential applications Further, the most modern commercial buildings and public buildings such as airports make use of automatic window systems that can be automatically be triggered and operated as smoke ventilation in case of fire and smoke.

OTHER AREAS OF APPLICATION AND SCOPE OF BUILDING AUTOMATION

• Automation of gates which not just adds to the comfort of users, but also secures the perimeter of the building which is the prime point of entrance to the building • Automatic Boom barriers that can regulate the entry and exit of people in areas such as parking plaza, building entrances of IT companies, factories, residential apartments, toll plaza to mention a few. • Automatic flap barriers/ half-height gates that can be used for restricted access controlled entrances for use in areas like airports,

IT companies, commercial buildings, multiplex, transport systems such as metro

Automated hermetic doors are ideal for infection control areas such as hospitals

KEY BENEFITS OF AUTOMATIC DOORS IN HYGIENE SENSITIVE AREAS

Automated hermetic door systems are the best solution to help patients and clinical staff move within healthcare facilities in a safe, efficient and convenient manner. Automatic hermetic doors have gained popularity in healthcare units due to the numerous advantages they offer. Below mentioned are some of the reasons why these doors are increasingly preferred:

CONTROL OF CROSSCONTAMINATION

One of the many ways that the bacterial and viral infections spread is through physical contact of objects by hand; particularly on the most frequently used building components such as doors. Automated hermetic doors are ideal for infection control areas such as hospitals, due to the fact they eliminate the need to touch the door surface, therefore reducing the high risk of crosscontamination. These doors also offer greater convenience for staff as they can use touch-free

Automatic doors are rapidly gaining importance in toilets

activations such as foot sensors, hand-wave sensors, etc., without the need to open or touch doors physically. They are predominantly useful for use in hygiene critical areas such as operating theatres, intensive care units and isolation wards. The surface of these special doors is made of either stainless steel or special coating with an anti-bacterial finish that can eliminate or control the growth of harmful microbes.

Accessible toilet

Automatic doors in a clinic

FUNCTIONALITY

While choosing automatic doors, you don’t have to sacrifice form for function. With a wide range of configurations, designs and activation options to choose from, it’s easy to find a solution to suit your individual needs.

COMPLIANCE TO DISABLED DISCRIMINATE ACT

Automatic doors improve access for everyone, regardless of their physical capabilities. The introduction of the International Disability Discrimination Act, and Regulations laid by the National Building Code of India (Version 2016), have made it mandatory for companies to install automatic doors in order to ensure compliance, especially in public access buildings.

SAFETY AND CONVENIENCE

On proper installation, serviced and maintenance as per manufacturer recommendations, automatic doors consistently provide safe, reliable and convenient access for users. The automatic system ensures effortless operation and eliminates the inconvenience of opening heavy manual doors such as fire doors, AHU doors and clean room doors.

ENERGY SAVINGS

Sustainability is a major concern in modern construction such as green buildings and automated doors help in saving energy by ensuring that doors are kept closed - safely and securely. Automatic doors open and close only when a user activates them through sensors or other controlled activation device such as pushbutton and this prevents the doors from being left open resulting in heating or air conditioning costs. Automatic doors help to achieve LEED points for green buildings not only for energy savings but also for maintaining the ideal indoor air quality.

Automatic doors can be tailormade and custom-built to suit the individual requirements of the customers. Further bespoke aftersales service and maintenance contracts are being offered to ensure reliable functioning and durability of automatic doors.

Automatic door in an operation theatre in a hospital

SURESH PANNEERSELVAM

Managing Director, Auto Ingress India Private Limited

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Suresh Panneerselvam holds the position of Managing Director of Auto Ingress India Private Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of Auto Ingress Pty Ltd., Australia. Suresh has been associated with the brand for over 14 years and is the brain behind setting up of the fullyfunctional subsidiary in India which was inaugurated in the year 2016. In just about 4 years of inception, Auto Ingress has been successful in covering the entire length and breadth of the nation and further successfully has built references across all building verticals in India. Under the leadership of Panneerselvam, Auto Ingress has also been certified with ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Standards, which further fortifies the brand’s commitment towards offering sustainable and quality product and service solutions to the customers.

Profine Acquired Essential Assets from the British Aperture Group

With effect from 20 th May 2020, the profine Group acquired essential assets from the British Aperture Group, formerly Synseal. profine GmbH – International Profile Group – is a worldwide leading manufacturer of PVC-U profiles for windows and doors and a renowned provider of shutter systems and PVC sheets.The Aperture Group, which is based in Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire, is known for its renowned brands such as Legend, Synerjy, Evolve, Calibre Doors, Norvik New Build or WarmCore.

With its KBE, KÖMMERLING, and TROCAL brands, the Group supplies its products to 87 countries and has an excellent international standing at 29 sites in 22 countries. profine Group manufactures at production facilities in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, India, Ukraine, the USA and China, with its head

office in Troisdorf, North RhineWestphalia.

Dr. Peter Mrosik, owner and CEO of profine says, “with this acquisition we are strengthening our good international market position and continuing our success story in the UK market. We are thus underlining our goal of being the leading company in our industry in each of our markets. I am very happy to have the new colleagues from UK on board and warmly welcome them to the profine family!”

The United Kingdom has traditionally been one of profine's core European markets. So far, the system provider had not yet established its own extrusion facility, but the production will start soon under the new name profine UK Extrusions Ltd. The facility has more than 20 extrusion lines, its own mixing plant and several foiling and injection moulding systems.The expansion of the workforce is planned to include over 100 employees. profine is continuing the activities of its successfully established Kömmerling brand in the UK, and individual products from the Aperture portfolio are also to be marketed in other countries.

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SHRIRAM

Increased demand for products that can improve hygiene has prompted AkzoNobel, one of the leading brands making paints and coatings, to accelerate the addition of antimicrobial* properties to its Interpon D1000 and 2000 range of architectural powder coatings.

With cleanliness now on everyone’s agenda, the extra functionality offered by the inclusion of BioCote ® antimicrobial technology means that building interiors can now be given increased protection against microbes such as bacteria and mold – which can cause issues such as bad odors, staining or material degradation.

The enhanced Interpon D AM – the first product of its kind in the company’s architectural segment – can be used on a variety of internal surfaces, such as window frames, ceiling tiles, metal office partitions, metal doors and elevator doors.

It follows last year’s launch of the company’s antimicrobial Interpon

AM range, which is typically used on surfaces in hygiene conscious environments such as hospitals, clinics, changing rooms, schools and public transport.

AkzoNobel’s Enhanced Powder Coating Puts Emphasis on Hygiene

“Growing consumer concern for hygiene means we need to continue finding ways to offer invisible protection and help make living and working together more hygienic,” says Daniela Vlad, Managing Director of AkzoNobel’s Powder Coatings business. “Interpon D AM is an effective solution for architects and specifiers and brings extra functionality to a product which has a long track record of superior performance”, adds Vlad.

“Integrating BioCote ® antimicrobial technology into architectural powder coatings will create more hygienic environments by reducing up to 99.99% of microbes on protected surfaces. BioCote ® technology makes a surface easier to keep hygienically clean, meaning the Interpon D AM range will stay fresher and cleaner for longer. This makes it the perfect choice for hygiene conscious environments,” says BioCote’s Partner Development Manager, Jennifer Collier.

BioCote ® is the market-leading antimicrobial solutions provider, with more than 25 years of experience in antimicrobial technology.

A critical consideration for the new powder coating was making sure it offered the same outstanding colour quality and extreme durability that Interpon D is renowned for. Launched globally, it’s also available in the same extensive selection of colours and finishes as the existing Interpon D range, including metallic effects and coarse or fine textures.

Continues Vlad: “Our innovation is focused on developing colour technology and solutions that meet the technical challenges and performance demands of our customers. It’s all about transforming spaces and environments to make sure they’re fit for the ever-changing requirements of modern living and lifestyles.”

To learn more about Interpon D AM and the company’s powder coatings, visit: https://www. interpon.com/gl/article/interponam-powder-coating *BioCote ® technology does not protect users or others against disease-causing bacteria, germs, viruses or other harmful organisms. This technology is not a substitute for good hygiene and/or cleaning practices.

Foot Panel Plate from Häfele

Giving a New Definition to Hygiene

With the concept of hygiene and precaution now taking a new definition, Häfele has introduced its new Foot Panel Plate for doors. The functionality offered by a product has never been more critical. Hands-free, contact-less movement, from one place to another – across hotels or building lobbies, entrances of offices, showrooms, malls or shops etc., is now being sought after not just as a temporary fix but as a permanent solution.

Understanding the shift in demands of customers and after introspecting deeply about the hygiene and cleanliness standards

that we as a community has been following so far and how different would it be, henceforth Häfele has introduced this product. Their aim is to therefore, introduce solutions that would effectively help minimise exposure to crosscontamination, harmful microbes and infectious viruses.

Keeping this in mind, Häfele introduces its new Foot Panel Plate which provides the users with a germ-free, touch-less way of exiting a premise / room. Mounted towards the bottom of the door, this foot plate offers an option to the users of pulling the door open with their foot instead of a door handle. The new foot plate, made of Stainless Steel Grade 304 can be used on doors that are frequently operated due to heavy traffic.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS:

• Enables touch-less door operations • Prevents spread of germs • Minimum installation height from floor: 5 mm • Maximum door load capacity: 50 kg • Suitable for installation on timber, steel and aluminum framed doors • For use with single swing doors or doors installed with deadbolt lock • Hassle-free installation

Q-Lon Polyurethane Foam Seals from Schlegel for Timber, uPVC and Aluminium Applications

Specifically designed for windows and doors, Q-Lon foam seals from Schlegel combine the best thermal performance along with excellent long term recovery. The unique Q-Lon seal has been developed in consultation with the customers to offer the widest range of polyurethane (PU) foam seals possible for timber, PVC and aluminium windows and doors, window covering products and interior design. The unique design has made Q-Lon the seal of choice for many applications. Authentic Q-Lon seals are impervious to paint and stain, while still with excellent long term recovery providing some of thebest energy saving performance characteristics currently available.

Schlegel’s superlative hardware is manufactured in Europe, USA and the UK for complete profiles and is complementary to their sealing range. With almost 50 years of global experience in the design and manufacture of window and door products, Schlegel is offering foams, brushes and extruded seals too.

Schlegel products are manufactured to meet the requirements of many current and proposed British, German, Spanish and related European and international standards and are manufactured using a Quality Management System registered and certified to norm ISO 9001:2008. Backed by 10 year guarantee, original Q-Lon seals are a safe choice. Compared with common sealing systems, the Q-Lon range provides a cost effective way of offering continuous

Q-Lon foam seals from Schlegel combine the best thermal performance along high standards of sealing.

Q-Lon range provides a cost effective way of offering continuous high standards of sealing

Polyurethane foam core – high durability, superior recovery performance

Polyethylene film – weather and UV resistant

Glass fibre thread or polypropylene insert – prevents elongation and shrinkage

Smooth or embossed exterior, resistant to contamination

Compatible with cleaning agents