Probably, all of you have seen a revolving door and used one. They're commonly used in malls, office buildings, hospitals and all kinds of other high-rise buildings. These doors are not only aesthetically pleasing, but they are functional as well. They're a perfect option for facilities that many people enter every day. The entry becomes much easier and faster and unlike the hinged doors, revolving doors don't get worn out that easily.
Even though many people might think that this type of door is one of the newer inventions, it appeared at the end of the 19th century in Pennsylvania. Over the years, they were modified a lot and eventually, they came to the form we're all used to. Today, we want to talk more about how this door works and its main pros and cons. Let's dive in.
What is a revolving door
First of all, let's define what a revolving door looks like and what is the working principle of this door type.
Today, most of these doors are made of glass and they usually consist of three or four panels that are also called wings. In the center of the construction, there is a shaft to which these panels are attached. Also, there is a cylindrical space where the door rotates. Rotating doors are equipped with brakes that are used to control the speed of rotation to prevent them from getting damaged. Last but not least, most of these doors are equipped with a motor that gives them power.
The pros and cons of a revolving door
As with any other technological advance, revolving doors have their positive and negative points.
Some of the main advantages of this door type are
- First of all, revolving doors allow many people to enter at the same time. They basically let you control the traffic and help to avoid crowding.
- These doors are way more durable than regular hinged doors. That's why they're the most suitable for buildings with a large flow of people.
- A revolving door allows you to reduce the noise inside the building.
- One of the biggest advantages is energy efficiency. These doors control the airflow and they'll prevent the cold air from getting inside the building.
- They require minimal maintenance.
Now, let's look at some of the drawbacks of revolving doors
- Their large opening is both an advantage and disadvantage, as it takes up a lot of space.
- Sometimes these doors may be moving too slowly and when they malfunction, a person may get stuck inside.
- Probably their weakest point is security, as they can be easily accessed by anyone. If you want to increase the safety of your building, it might be reasonable to install a security camera. For that purpose, you might need professional security services.
Types of revolving doors
There are two main types of revolving doors out on the market – automatic doors and ones operated manually. Let's take a look at their features.
Automatic revolving doors are mainly used for facilities with a huge flow of people. They're more effective for that purpose, as they move faster and allow us to avoid big assemblies of people. They have a lot of advantages in terms of hygiene too, as you won't have to touch the doors or handles. Also, they're really convenient for shopping malls as you're usually leaving them with your hands full. One huge drawback of this door type is the fact that it depends on electricity.
As you can already guess, with manual doors you have to apply some pressure on them in order to make the doors move. They're not as convenient and easily operated as automatic ones. They've mostly been used for smaller spaces that not so many people enter daily. However, unlike with automatic doors, you won't have to worry about dealing with power outages.
Are revolving doors safe
Revolving doors are a great option for many industries. They are really easy to use and require minimal maintenance. Moreover, they provide great energy efficiency and allow you to control the temperature inside the building. However, there's one question that probably all business owners are curious about – “Are revolving doors safe?”
As we have already mentioned before, safety is not one of the strongest points of this door type. They don't have any locks or access control and anyone can easily enter the building using them. Providing your building with extra security might be a great idea. Consider installing CCTV cameras and an alarm system. Put one right beside the revolving door to have the possibility to monitor them at any time.
Summing up
We can all agree that revolving doors are one the best options for big industrial buildings and public spaces, as many people enter them daily. They're extremely convenient and durable. Also, they have many advantages in terms of appearance. You can choose between automatic revolving doors and manual ones.
If you want to provide your door with additional security, Sure Lock & Key will gladly assist you, quickly and to your satisfaction.
