Automatic Door Guide
How automatic pedestrian doors work, sliding vs swing operators, the sensors required, and what to specify for retail, healthcare and office entrances.
· 5 min read · Rollvento Engineering
Automatic pedestrian doors are specified per project: leaf weight, opening width, traffic and safety requirements all vary. Rollvento supplies automatic door operators as engineered packages rather than stock models; this guide explains what goes into that specification.
How an automatic door works
A header above the opening contains a brushless DC drive, a controller and a battery (where required). For sliding doors, the glass leaves hang from carriages on a track in the header and are moved by a toothed belt. For swing doors, an arm from the header drives the hinged leaf. Sensors on both sides tell the controller when to open and when it is safe to close.
Sliding vs swing
| Criterion | Sliding operator | Swing operator |
|---|---|---|
| Typical use | Main entrances, retail, hospitals, malls | Single doors, corridors, accessibility |
| Leaves | 1 or 2 (bi-parting) | 1 per operator |
| Space | Needs pocket/side space for leaves | Needs swing clearance |
| Traffic | High, two-way | Moderate |
| Retrofit | Usually new frontage | Fits existing hinged doors |
Sensors and safety
- Motion sensors (microwave) — detect approach, one per side.
- Presence sensors (active infrared) — cover the threshold and, on swing doors, the swing path; the door will not close while anyone is detected.
- Safety beams in the door jambs as a backstop.
- Low-energy mode for accessibility doors that must move slowly.
- Battery backup and fire-alarm breakout for egress routes.
What to specify
- Clear opening width and height
- Number of leaves and each leaf’s weight
- Glass type (toughened/laminated) and frame material
- Traffic level and hours of operation
- Egress / fire-alarm / battery requirements
- Access control integration (card readers, locking)
- Header fixing: lintel type and available depth
Commissioning
Opening speed, hold-open time, partial-opening width and sensor sensitivity are set at commissioning and should be re-checked after any change to the entrance (mats, signage, new furniture in the sensor field).
To specify an automatic door package, send the door details to engineering.
Frequently asked questions
Sliding or swing automatic door?
Sliding operators suit main entrances with two-way traffic and glass frontages. Swing operators suit single doors, corridors, accessible entrances and retrofits where the existing hinged door is kept.
What sensors does an automatic door need?
A motion (microwave) sensor on each side to open the door on approach, and a presence (infrared) sensor covering the threshold so the door never closes on someone standing in it. Swing doors also need a sensor covering the swing path.
What happens in a power failure or fire alarm?
Operators specified for egress routes include battery backup to open the door and hold it open, and a fire-alarm input that forces the door open. Confirm these requirements with the building fire consultant.
How can we help you?
Tell us what you need to automate — opening size, weight and site — and an engineer will recommend the right model and send a quotation.
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