Rowlands Court, Wimborne Dorset
Automation of an Existing Commercial Aluminium Entrance Door with Paxton Switch2 Fob access control.
The director of a residential management company contacted ADI through the Contact Form on our website. The criteria was that they wanted us to automate the foyer door and add a proximity fob access system to their existing Fermax door entry intercom system.
The entrance consisted of a pair of inward opening black commercial aluminium doors. One door was an active leaf the other remained closed most of the time, but could be opened to bring larger objects in if required. The doors being new were in great condition, however there was very little room above them to be able to fit the automatic door equipment (30mm)
The reveal was very deep as well which gave very few options for us to be able to carry out their request.
After some discussion, we offered the client 3 options for the automation of the entrance to their apartment block.
Option 1 - New doors and frame with a large enough frame head to mount the auto-door gear.
Option 2 - Modify the existing door frame with a larger frame head to reduce the height of the doors - This would involve removing the doors and taking them away to reduce the height.
Option 3 - Mounting the auto-door gear outside in a bespoke, secure stainless steel weather resistant housing
The client was interested in Option 3
So a detailed quotation was prepared and sent by e-mail.
In our proposal, we outlined the draw backs associated with this option, namely that the auto door gear isn't designed to be mounted externally and will not be covered by the manufacturers warranty if the unit fails due to water ingress, but Because the entrance was covered with a wide porch and that we propose to house the equipment in a bespoke 304 grade stainless steel, black powder coated housing the risk of water ingress was minimal.
After receiving the go-ahead for option 3, we put the stainless steel enclosure into production with a local sheet metal company. This took a few weeks to be made after the CAD drawings were approved.
After the drawings were approved and the stainless steel housing was made, we agreed a fitting date with the management company and it was all arranged.
We had aleady arranged an NICEIC approved electrical contractor to fit the mains electrical fused spur the week before, so that it was ready for us to connect into.
Before the door could be automated we had to remove it and changed the "sprung" transom mounted door closer and replace it with a spring-less or "Dummy Closer" This allows the door to open and close freely and allows for the auto door opener to take over the job of closing the door.
The automation consisted of an Gilgen FD20 swing door operator with 2 x "BEA 4Safe" safety sensors with a heavy duty stainless steel casing.
A hygienic - "RGL" Touch Free exit device was fitted to open the door from inside. This makes exiting easier as a simple wave of the hand from a short distance away. The red Halo Ring changes from red to green to indicate the lock status.
Being touch free, this limits the spread of germs and diseases.
A Paxton Switch2 proximity fob access control system was fitted, which allows resident's and staff to open the door with an electronic contactless key fob. Each apartment was provided with 2 fobs each.
The automation was connected to the existing door entry system to allow it to open and close for visitors as well.
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