The revolving door is a popular feature at the entrance to buildings. However, code compliance is critical to its use.
These doors prevent cold air from blowing inside and reduce street noise, which greatly benefits fit for busy commercial spaces. Additionally, they don’t slam. However, they must be appropriately sized and lubricated.
Security
In the case of a security threat, revolving doors can be locked instantly, preventing the flow of people and helping limit potential loss or liability. This technology is also helpful to buy time for staff or law enforcement to deal with the threat, which could otherwise create stress, harm, and a dangerous situation.
Modern code requirements require that revolving doors be flanked on both sides by side-hinged swinging doors with panic hardware to allow free egress in an emergency. They must also have a built-in collapsing or “book fold” mechanism to facilitate safe exits, which prevents tailgating when multiple people enter and leave the turnstile simultaneously.
Revolving doors can be outfitted with presence detection sensors to stop the rotation of the door if an unauthorized person is detected, and they can be integrated with access control systems to ensure only authorized people are allowed through. However, they should be viewed as the first layer of physical security in your building. Other measures should also be considered, such as additional turnstiles, guard staff, surveillance cameras, and additional locking mechanisms for restricted areas.
Maintenance
One of the most critical aspects of revolving door code compliance is ensuring they are adequately maintained. When a revolving door shows signs of wear and tear, it can cause security and safety issues for the building. Regular maintenance and aftercare by professional technicians help to prevent minor issues from becoming major headaches.
For example, if a revolving door is misaligned or fails to park in its designated position, it may indicate an issue with the control board. Often, a software update is all that is needed to fix the problem and ensure proper operation.
Additionally, if a revolving door’s matting is lifted or damaged, it must be replaced promptly. Lifted matting creates a trip hazard, interfering with the revolving door’s operation. Additionally, regular inspections of the revolving door’s wings and panels should be conducted to ensure they are aligned correctly. This helps to maintain a secure entrance and reduce energy loss.
Energy Efficiency
Revolving doors are an effective means of providing access control for a business. They can allow multiple people to enter at once while preventing tailgating. Additionally, they contain drafts and reduce heating and cooling costs.
After the 1942 Cocoanut Grove nightclub fire, which resulted in 492 deaths, many states enacted laws to improve revolving door safety. These requirements included a breakaway mechanism and adjacent swing doors for emergency egress.
It also places safety restrictions on the speed of automatic revolving doors and requires presence sensors that slow or stop them when someone approaches. These safety features can be important for commercial buildings because they help prevent unauthorized people from entering the building and pose a security risk.
Energy efficiency saves businesses money by reducing the amount of electricity they use. This lowers their energy bills and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change. It also helps reduce the load on the U.S. electric grid, preventing power outages. Energy efficiency investments provide economic and environmental benefits to all communities, including marginalized groups that disproportionately suffer from pollution and pay more for their energy bills.
Safety
Although they may seem like a luxury, revolving doors are also a practical way to help keep the interior of a building safe and secure. They prevent snow, rain, air pollution, and noise from entering the building while helping to reduce energy consumption.
Revolving door systems can be equipped with presence sensors that can stop unauthorized access, prevent tailgating and piggybacking incidents, and avoid the accidental exit of a disabled person. It’s essential to ensure that the sensors are correctly positioned and well-maintained.
Revolving doors are sometimes designed for one-way passage to prevent people from bypassing airport security checkpoints. These are often outfitted with a brake that halts traffic flow from the opposite side of the entrance, then revolves backward to permit exiting while notifying security. Some revolving doors are even designed with the ability to collapse to provide emergency egress. These are often called panic collapsing doors or emergency book fold mechanisms and are required by fire and building codes for new construction.
