Automatic doors, they can be found everywhere from the shopping mall to the hospital emergency room. We take for granted the convenience that they offer us- opening automatically when our arms are full of packages.
The Danger of Automatic Doors
Automatic doors, they can be found everywhere from the shopping mall to the hospital emergency room. We take for granted the convenience that they offer us- opening automatically when our arms are full of packages. What few of us realize, however, is the danger involved in using automatic doors.
At least 3,500 people were seriously injured by automatic doors last year. They have the ability to close on us, pinch our fingers, pin us in, hit us in the face, and knock us down. Catching us unaware, automatic doors can be quite brutal.
Automatic doors consist of several "systems" that open door panels by sliding or swinging them upon activation. Every automatic sliding door manufacturer uses the same basic design.
Sensors detect moving people, opening and closing the doors accordingly. The problem develops because many of these sensors have trouble detecting slow-moving people such as the elderly or handicapped. Also, depending on what you are wearing, the sensor might not notice you.
According to the American Association of Automatic Door Manufacturers, doors must be maintained, checked and adjusted regularly. If a door is not in peak condition, injury could result. By realizing that a danger does exist, we can be more careful when use automatic doors.
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