The Right Settings for Strip Curtains and Double Action Doors
Industrial sites have all sorts of vital installations, often taking the form of specially-made entryways. When considering the optimal setup and settings that can benefit most from strip curtains and double-action doors, it’s important to balance accessibility, energy efficiency and safety. These are useful in many industrial settings, but it is essential you get the right installation for your needs. Here, we look at what to consider when identifying settings for strip curtains and double action doors that would improve your facility.
Where can strip curtains and double action doors be useful
The flexibility, strength and durability of strip curtains and double action doors are essential in a wide range of industrial, public and medical settings. These include warehouses and manufacturing factories, hospitals, pharmaceutical manufacturing and storage facilities, kitchens and cold store areas, to name a few examples.
Why strip curtains are so useful
Flexible strip curtains made from durable UPVC strips are especially useful in busy warehouse settings where large door openings are needed for the passage of vehicles such as forklift trucks, pallet jacks and stock pickers. These UPVC strip curtains, when installed efficiently, will only open up to the width of the load passing through them.
This function offers several advantages when it comes to being energy efficient as it reduces temperature loss, essential in an environment where temperatures must be kept constant and where HSE regulations must be observed.
In addition, the transparency of strip curtains enhances lighting and enables clear visibility for any personnel coming through, thus reducing accidents.
Installing strip curtains
Strip curtains can be installed professionally or self-installed. Correct installation is essential for ease of maintenance and to be an efficient barrier against contaminants, dust and debris, weather ingress and excessive noise.
On installation, it’s vital to ensure that the strips overlap by at least 50% to provide a reliable barrier against draughts, dust and pests while still allowing smooth passage. The strips should hang just above the floor to prevent tripping hazards but low enough to seal the opening. Choose a strip thickness and width appropriate for the environment, thicker, wider strips for high-traffic or industrial zones and lighter strips for pedestrian areas. Heavy duty hanging rails ensure the strips stay in place in areas of heavy traffic usage.
Where double action doors can be used
Double-action doors can open both backwards and forwards for ease of flow-through in areas such as restaurant kitchens, bars and lighter industrial settings which have normal, lighter-use forklift traffic.
The benefits of double action doors are that you can use them hands-free without needing to put anything down. In addition, they can help save space as they don’t require the same area of clearance as traditional doors. They are available in lightweight stainless steel for easy maintenance and longevity and some can be operated electrically.
Installing double action doors
Double action doors are usually delivered already assembled and ready to install. If self-installing, you must always make sure the door is twice as wide and 500 mm higher than the goods intended to travel through them.
Double action doors contain a built-in spring mechanism to enable them to open and return to closed with just the right amount of force. That way, they swing open with minimal force but return promptly to their closed position, maintaining temperature control and separation between areas.
On installation, adjust the tension of the specialist hinges to suit the frequency of use and the weight of the doors and make sure the doors are not so heavy that they impede safe and comfortable passage through. For optimal safety, install vision panels at eye level if required to prevent collisions.
Maintenance and ongoing checks
Regular inspections of strip curtains and double action doors will ensure they remain clean, undamaged and properly aligned. Proper installation and maintenance will help maximise their effectiveness in controlling environments and improving workflow efficiency.
