Many occupants of institutional and commercial facilities probably do not think twice about walking in and out of doors into buildings with automatic doors.
However, something that many people may take for granted serves an important role in the operations of buildings.
Automatic doors help occupants who are carrying packages, pushing strollers, or are lost in their phones reduce their risk of injury. They also help people with disabilities more easily go in and out of buildings. For these and many other reasons, it’s important for facility managers to ensure that automatic doors are working properly. To remind managers of this, the Association of Automatic Door Manufacturers (AAADM) will observe National Automatic Door Day on March 19.
The association says nearly 99 percent of consumers prefer automatic doors over manual doors, and while that exact number can’t be confirmed (the AAADM approaches this day with a clear tongue-in-cheek approach), the day is designed to help managers remember the benefits automatic doors bring to facilities, including Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, building security and cleanliness due to the germ-free nature of having less touchpoints for building occupants.
March 19 will feature funny posts from both the association and automatic door manufacturers that emphasize just how far technology has advanced. As an AAADM press release reads, “the wonder of automatic doors is more impressive than significant life moments, such as a baby’s first steps, your wedding day, or a mountain sunrise.”
Door manufacturers also are recognizing this special day. Advanced Door Service, a Horton Automatics Company, is not just celebrating the technological marvel that automatic doors represent, but also reaffirming their commitment to delivering exceptional service and solutions to clients.
"A key aspect of celebrating Automatic Door Day is recognizing the importance of regular maintenance and timely commercial door repair. Automatic doors are complex systems that require expertise to ensure they operate smoothly and safely," the company stated in a press release.
Dave Lubach is executive editor of the facilities market.
