In addition to infection control, interior automatic sliding doors are easy-to-operate and are available with optional security features. As such, they can improve almost any building’s ability to accommodate those with disabilities. The following examines how interior automatic sliding doors can contribute to a more accessible and hygienic design.
Interior automatic sliding doors are easily opened and closed
Automatic sliding doors do not require pinching, twisting, grasping or special knowledge to operate, landing them well within the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Likewise, because these doors open automatically, they sideline operating force requirements called for by the ADA. Further, some automatic sliding doors are available with battery backup to keep them working normally during power outages.
As sliding doors, they also eliminate swing arc trajectories, which reduces approach distances to make operation easier for those with mobility assistive devices. Interior automatic sliding doors also close at a speed that allows ease of entering or leaving to meet ADA requirements for closing force and speed.
All these qualities contribute to a built environment that can be accessed by all. For healthcare facilities, this helps create a positive patient experience. In other applications, it contributes to a more equitable building design.
Accessibility means more than physical operation
Most of the ADA’s requirements focus on the physical operation of doors. However, for institutions that want to go beyond the minimum, it is important to consider other ways accessibility can be limited, including mitigating possible infection risks. This is especially important for healthcare facilities since certain procedures or medications can partially or fully reduce a person’s ability to fight infections.
Interior automatic sliding doors eliminate unnecessary touch points for a more hygienic space. Limited hand-to-surface contact directly reduces how many pathogens a person may come into contact with while in the building. It also helps mitigate cross-contamination from staff moving from wing to wing of a healthcare facility. Both contribute to a safer—and more hygienic—space.
Reduced hand-to-surface contact can also alleviate some infection risks for industries outside of healthcare as well. For example, while a medical environment may encourage visitors to be at their most hygienic, other public spaces may not elicit the same response. Further, cleaning protocols in these environments may not be as rigorous as they are in a medical setting. Interior automatic sliding doors sideline some of the risks for a more hygienic environment.
Automatic sliding doors are compatible with several security devices
When thinking about creating a more accessible building, it may seem counterintuitive to think about security features and access control. However, a safe and secure environment is particularly important for those with disabilities. The Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates that people with disabilities are four times more likely to be the victim of a violent crime than those without. In fact, one in three robberies involve a person with at least one disability.
As such, access control and enhanced security features can help create safer spaces for those with a higher statistical likelihood of victimization. AutoMotion™ from AD Systems is fully compatible with electric strike systems and other security accessories. By helping to keep building occupants safe, interior automatic sliding doors can contribute to a design that responds to some of the particular needs of those with disabilities.
Making accessibility automatic
With features that meet and exceed current ADA requirements, interior automatic sliding doors can help make most spaces more accessible—in healthcare and beyond. They can also contribute to a design that is more occupant-focused by saving valuable square-footage and allowing for easy movement between rooms. For these reasons, automatic sliding doors deliver value well beyond infection control.
