Industrial doors are becoming more complex and important as environmental and sustainability issues exert ever-more influence. It is critical, therefore, that buyers go down the right route when selecting them to obtain a reliable product suited to the individual operation and undoubtedly the best of the three routes to use is a direct approach to the door manufacturer, rather than architects or specialist consultants. But there is one caveat: Cheap doors equal false economy, and it’s not just the door quality that should be considered but also the quality of the after-sales service, which is variable.
Union Industries, for example, finds many of its customers come to them to replace existing rapid roll doors, many of which have only been in operation a relatively short time. To put new customers’ minds at ease, therefore, Union encourages their new potential customers to be taken to an existing customer site to see their doors in action, while also discussing their operation with the user and getting a feel for the door provider’s after-sales maintenance. If your selected door provider does not offer this sensible precaution, beware.
Energy costs and environmental issues should feature highly in buyers’ minds and to help with this the leading door makers offer free on site energy audits, with suggestions on what door cost paybacks can be expected but to help with arriving at accurate figures door users should give their suppliers reasonably accurate figures for door operating cycles, which will also be useful for ascertaining maintenance costs. Fast-acting PVC roller doors have long been popular for conserving energy, keeping pests out and working conditions comfortable but they are not suitable as a security door. Door suppliers, therefore, have developed fast-acting, insulated, roller slatted doors, which dispense with the need for a two-door type of operation. Another innovation is the wicket door within a door to allow only personnel to go through, cutting down on energy loss and improving safety.
Door damage can be a big issue and by far the main cause is forklift collisions. To help cut the high cost of these the leading makers have developed door knock-out features to allow quick reinstatement by on-site staff and also warning systems against potential damage. Not all knock-out systems are of the same quality, however. Added to these defences is a range of protection devices for door columns, and side guides, protection posts and bollards. It is worthwhile considering heavy duty steel box sections for the door columns and bolt-on side guides.
There are, however, other risks of damage from high wind strengths and big differences between internal and external air pressures. If a warehouse door is facing prevailing winds where gusts can reach hurricane force then category 3 wind (70 mph) should be considered. Union Industries offers Class 5 rating for wind resistance which is the highest available. One also should remember that door damage can arise through maintenance neglect, which still remains a major issue, though apparently a declining one. This false economy leads to unnecessary damage owing to component failure. One should also bear in mind that door maintenance, like quality, can vary widely so its important at the outset to define what buyers consider is acceptable.
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