REKA Otomatik Yapı Teknolojileri
For shops, pharmacies, clinics, hotels and offices, automatic sensor doors offer both comfort and accessibility. A door that opens by itself is a great convenience for a customer carrying bags, a parent with a pushchair or a visitor using a wheelchair. However, the safety of a door that runs constantly in a busy area depends on the right sensors and regular maintenance. In this guide we explain how safety is ensured on automatic sensor doors.
How does an automatic sensor door work?
An automatic sensor door consists of a motor and control unit housed in the header above the door and glass leaves that slide along a track. The key elements that open the door and keep it safe, however, are the sensors:
- Motion detection sensors detect a person approaching the door and give the opening command.
- Presence (safety) sensors detect a person standing in the doorway or moving very slowly and prevent the door from closing.
- Threshold photocells provide an additional safety layer by detecting passage through the door line.
Key elements that ensure safety
1. The right sensor combination
A sensor that only detects motion may not notice a child or an elderly person standing still in the doorway. That is why sensors combining motion and presence detection are recommended together with threshold photocells.
2. Correctly set speed and force
The door's opening and closing speed should be set according to how busy the entrance is and the user profile. In places such as hospitals and care centres with elderly or unwell visitors, it is preferable for the door to close more slowly and stay open longer.
3. Obstacle detection
If a door leaf meets an obstacle while closing, it must stop and reopen. This feature is provided through the control unit settings and should be tested periodically.
4. Emergency opening
In situations such as fire, earthquake or a power cut, the door must not trap users inside. For this:
- The door can be set to keep working on battery power or to move to the open position during a power cut.
- Suitable emergency opening solutions should be planned for doors on escape routes.
- Mechanical locks should be chosen so they can be released quickly in an emergency.
Important: For entrances planned as escape routes, how the sensor door behaves should be assessed together with the building's fire safety plan. Clarify this with the building manager and the technical team before installation.
Door operating modes
| Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| Automatic | Detects an approaching person, opens and closes |
| Permanently open | Keeps the door open at busy times or for ventilation |
| One-way | Allows exit from inside only, suitable after business hours |
| Locked | Keeps the door closed and locked outside business hours |
| Partial opening | Opens the door partly instead of full width, reducing energy loss |
Choosing the right mode affects both safety and energy savings. In an air-conditioned shop during the Cyprus summer in particular, partial opening mode helps keep the interior cool.
What is checked during regular maintenance
- Detection area and sensitivity of the sensors
- Whether the presence sensor detects a person standing in the doorway
- Obstacle detection and reopening function
- Track, carrier wheels and belt tension
- Glass leaf fixings and bottom guides
- Battery backup and emergency behaviour
- Locking mechanism and mode selector
Daily checks for the business owner
- Keep sensor surfaces clean with a soft cloth; dust and fingerprints can affect detection.
- Do not leave mats, cardboard or stones in the doorway or on the track.
- If you notice the door closing towards someone or detecting people late, switch it to permanently open mode and contact the service team.
- If you see cracks or looseness in the glass leaves, take the door out of use.
Using automatic sensor doors in North Cyprus
The dusty summers of Nicosia (Lefkoşa) and the salty air in coastal areas may require more frequent cleaning of sensors and tracks. During periods of power cuts, battery backup prevents customers from being stuck at the door.
Safe automatic sensor doors with REKA
As REKA Automatic Building Technologies, we install and maintain automatic sensor doors for shops, pharmacies, clinics, hotels and offices. We also offer safety checks for your existing door. Site surveys are free; our systems come with a 3-year warranty; if periodic maintenance is carried out without interruption, the warranty can be extended to up to 5 years. We provide a 24/7 service in case of breakdowns. Reach us via the quote form or on +90 539 102 13 13.
