Whether pushing or pulling, using a door handle to open a door is second nature. Although familiar, this frequently used hardware is receiving greater attention as the need for infection control measures continue to grow. Functioning as a simple navigation tool between two spaces, door handles are some of the most highly touched surfaces in buildings, making them a hot spot for germs. This is evidenced in a study conducted through Penn State University, where students found fourteen different colonies of bacteria living on a café’s entrance door handle, each containing more than a million bacteria.
Mitigating the spread of infection with hands-free technology
As the building and design community looks to reduce non-essential contact to keep bacteria at bay and create healthier, more hygienic interiors, it is without surprise that touchless, automatic door solutions are on the rise to support infection control. In fact, according to Technavio, the automatic door market is poised to grow by USD 1.17 billion over the next three years, with momentum expected to accelerate.
For designers turning to these timely assemblies, there are two primary hands-free options—automatic swing doors and automatic sliding door systems. Sliders have the advantage in that they can make the most of critical square footage. Opening with the simple wave of a hand or press of a button, they glide along or into walls to preserve space while also reducing the spread of germs. While ideal for a variety of settings, here are three commercial spaces primed to realize their lean design and hygienic benefits.
Restrooms
Inarguably, the restroom is cause for re-evaluation as design professionals work to meet increasing demands for more hygienic interiors. According to Bradley Corporation, the restroom is one of the top three places students are most concerned about coming into contact with germs, and 76 percent of high schoolers see importance in touchless restroom fixtures. Supporting the need for cleanliness in these frequently used spaces, automatic sliding doors can help control the spread of germs by reducing hand-surface contact. Occupants can simply wave their hand, step on a footpad or use other actuator options to make completely touchless entry points possible. Additionally, with no swing path, automatic sliding doors preserve up to 30 square feet of usable room compared to traditional swing doors—key for cramped restrooms.
Patient Rooms
Acknowledging the primary purpose of patient rooms is to facilitate healing, design professionals are constantly looking for ways to keep these restorative spaces as germ-free as possible. Hands-free technology plays a crucial role in this process by eliminating unnecessary touch points. Automatic sliding doors deliver on this benefit and more by accommodating occupants of varying mobility levels. Since operation does not require pushing or pulling from the user and the system reduces approach clearances, the sliding doors are easier to maneuver around and through. Offerings such as AD Systems’ AutoMotion™ sliding doors are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.
Classrooms and Collaboration Spaces
Considering the explorative nature of children, automatic sliding doors can help reduce high levels of hand-to-surface contact in classrooms and collaboration spaces to keep bacteria at bay. Accounting for the constant shuffle of students and staff, systems are also available with safety and security features to help protect occupants. For example, with AD Systems’ AutoMotion sliding door, standard measures such as the photocell lens prevent the door from closing if either of the light beams are interrupted by a person crossing the opening. Additionally, the sliding door system features soft close technology, which dampens the closing and opening speed and force at both sides of the door to ensure safe operation. Optional overhead presence detectors prevent the door from closing if a presence is detected within a small range of the door opening.
Designing with Tomorrow in Mind
Whether used in the restroom, patient room or classroom, automatic sliding doors are meeting the demand for cleaner, more hygienic spaces through touchless technology. Better yet, by eliminating the swing path, these new solutions maximize square footage and meet accessibility standards. Ready to set the future in motion with hands-free space-efficient solutions? Learn more about AutoMotion, our sliding door system here.
