In busy buildings, many doors are automated these days. However, especially on automatic swing doors, there is a risk of jamming or even shearing off limbs.
Barrier-free automatic doors
Automatic doors in public buildings or areas can be dangerous for those who need protection (e. g. children). It is fundamental to be able to safely open and close a power operated door in order to gurantee ist safe use.
The doors should be designed to safeguard against crushing, shearing, being hurt and drawn in during the opening and closing of the door; these potential risks must be recognised and eliminated.
Athmer finger protection systems have been preventing injuries for thirty years by effectively reduciong the risk of fingers becoming accidenally trapped in doors.
Requirements to barrier-free automatic doors
Conforming to EN 16005
Power-operated doors must open and close safely in order to ensure safety in use. For this purpose, a risk assessment must be carried out by the manufacturer of the door system during planning. Power-operated door systems operating in the low energy range can be used for certain applications without safety sensors. However, the danger of crushing and shearing at the secondary closing edge still exists and must be detected and excluded in all cases.
DIN EN 16005 - 4.6.1 b)
Therefore, according to DIN EN 16005 - 4.6.1 b), "Danger points between the leaf and frame, which pose a hazard due to entrapment of fingers, are protected up to a height of 2 m.” and in accordance with EN 16005 - 4.6.3.4 "Danger points at secondary closing edges between sash and frame must be covered with finger protection roller blinds, for example".
Fuse protection according to DIN EN 16005 - 4.6.3.4:
Examples of safety measures on hinged doors.
- (1) rubber cover
- (2) rubber cover
- (3) profile construction
The sole protection of the secondary closing edge with sensors should be reconsidered, because these systems have weak points and do not offer 100% safety. Test institutes point out in type examination certificates that in areas where children could play (e.g. in a kindergarten) in addition to sensory protection, mechanical solutions should also be considered! Athmer finger protection systems in special lengths for automatic door applications are the right solution. Provide safety!
Risk assessment of barrier-free automatic doors
In cases of doubt, the building operator should have a risk assessment carried out by service professionals on his power-operated doors in order to ensure that his door is safe and complies with the current state of the art in terms of traffic safety requirements (personal safety).
The safe automatic door - information on residual risks
Grey areas of “residual risk” if protecting by sensors alone.
Drive and sensor manufacturers point out that there are residual risks when using sensors alone. Automatic doors with additional mechanical protection offer standard-compliant safety, especially when vulnerable people use the doors.
Test institutes confirm that where there is a high probability of fingers being caught, protection using a combination of sensors and mechanical means must be considered. Athmer finger protection is the ideal complement to commonly used door sensors on the market to avoid residual risks.
In this way, everyone involved is on the safe side - the installer or service company of the drive, the building operator and, last but not least, the user.
Athmer Fingerschutz® on fire and smoke protection doors
Athmer Fingerschutz® is suitable for use with fire doors and smoke protection doors. Numerous fire tests have been carried out successfully with door manufacturers / system providers. Athmer finger protection systems have therefore been fitted on fire doors for more than 10 years now and have proven themselves in use. Retrofitting of finger safeguards on fire and smoke protection doors is not regulated by standards. Since neither the product standard (EN 16034) nor the test standard (EN 1634) defines how to test the fire safety of finger protection, finger protection may not be installed on a fire or smoke protection door without the consent of the door manufacturer / system provider. The door manufacturer reserves the right to have the approval of his door extinguished if a structural change is made without consultation with the door manufacturer. The installer / fitter who installs the finger protection system must contact the door manufacturer in advance. Door manufacturers / system providers are familiar with Athmer products and their requirements. By contacting them, they can provide information about a possible retrofit.
