AUTOMATIC ENTRANCES · TECHNICAL GUIDE
Automatic door sensors, locking and access control should be designed as one sequence.
An automatic operator does not decide when a door should move, who is allowed through it, or how the opening behaves when someone is in the travel path. Activation devices, presence detection, locking, access control, power and door hardware need one coordinated operating sequence.
Five layers of an automatic entrance.
Activation
Push plates, touchless switches, motion activation or other inputs tell the system when an opening cycle should begin.
Presence & safety detection
Sensors and safety devices monitor the approach, threshold and/or door travel zone according to the selected entrance type and application.
Locking
Mechanical or electrified locks must release and re-secure in the correct sequence without conflicting with egress or operator movement.
Access control
Readers, credentials, intercoms or building systems decide when authorized users may trigger the entrance.
Power & controls
Line voltage, low-voltage wiring, control locations and interfaces should be planned before finishes close in.
A simple operating sequence to define early.
| Step | Question to resolve |
|---|---|
| 1 · Request | What tells the entrance to open: push plate, reader, motion, remote signal or another input? |
| 2 · Authorization | If access control is involved, what unlocks and what conditions must be satisfied first? |
| 3 · Movement | How does the operator move the door and what detection devices protect the intended path? |
| 4 · Hold / close | What keeps the entrance open, and what conditions allow it to close? |
| 5 · Re-secure | When does the lock re-engage and how is door position verified if required? |
Retrofit projects need extra checks.
Existing swing doors, frames, pivots, closers, locks and wiring may not have been designed for automation. Before adding an operator, review door alignment, clearances, hardware condition, available mounting space, power, locking and the required operating sequence.
Common questions.
Can a card reader trigger an automatic door?
Often, yes, when the selected operator, locking hardware and access-control system support the required interface. The unlock and open sequence must be coordinated before equipment is selected.
Are motion sensors and safety sensors the same thing?
Not necessarily. Different devices can serve activation, presence detection or other safety functions depending on the entrance type and selected system. The required detection strategy should follow the specific application and manufacturer documentation.
Can automation be added without replacing the door?
Sometimes. The existing door and frame first need to be suitable for automation, including movement, hardware, clearances, mounting, power and locking conditions.