There is a huge choice of automatic doors available for businesses of all sorts. Whether you have a retail store, an office building, a hospital or a warehouse, automatic doors offer convenience, improved energy efficiency and compliance with accessibility laws. There is a strong argument for businesses to fit automatic doors to their commercial premises, but to make sure that your doors are correctly and safely installed, you should hire a professional automatic door company to do the job rather than attempting a DIY installation.
There are many reasons why DIY automatic door installation is not a good idea, and the top five reasons are as follows:
1. Security
The primary function of any external door is security. The building must be secured against unauthorized entry. Automatic doors can be programmed to suit the individual needs of the business, meaning that they can be set to open on demand during specified hours, to lock automatically at certain times or to only open when an individual with recognized credentials requests access.
The versatility of an automatic door system sets it apart from other external door systems, and a correctly installed system will operate seamlessly, bolstering the business' security standards and integrating with its overall security system. Conversely, a DIY installation may not function quite so effectively, and gaps in the building's security leave it vulnerable to breaches, including vandalism and theft which will harm its financial and reputational position, threaten its assets and intellectual property and reduce consumer trust.
2. Safety
DIY installation of automatic doors poses a safety risk to untrained individuals who could suffer injuries during the installation process from incorrect manual handling of the door and its associated components. They may trap or pinch body parts, twist awkwardly or suffer muscle strains from attempting to lift a weight they are not accustomed to.
If they do succeed in installing the door without injury, there is still a risk that the door may not be fitted to the correct safety standards, increasing the likelihood of someone suffering an injury during the operation. There is also a possibility that the door may not function correctly if its in-built safety features have not been correctly calibrated.
Hiring a professional automatic door company to install the door alleviates these risks, safeguards your reputation and protects your staff and your customers from harm.
3. Functionality
Poorly installed automatic doors are likely to malfunction, creating disruption and introducing unnecessary costs for maintenance and repair. There is a high likelihood that an incorrectly fitted door will fail and require replacement well ahead of its usual lifetime, costing you more in the long run than if you had hired a professional automatic door company to install it in the first place.
A professional will have the tools and experience necessary to precisely install your automatic door, calibrating it correctly and ensuring that it operates seamlessly in just the manner you expect.
4. Legal compliance
Canada's robust accessibility laws mandate that businesses can accommodate the needs of all individuals, including those with disabilities. A professional automatic door installer understands the intricacies of the law and will source and install doors which have suitable opening speeds, sensor functionality and widths to keep your business legally compliant, protecting you against legal challenges and potential fines.
5. Ongoing maintenance
Automatic doors require regular maintenance to keep them in optimal condition, however, most automatic door companies will only maintain doors that they have installed or which have been installed by a professional commercial locksmith. This is because the quality of the installation is guaranteed, and the company's workers are unlikely to be injured by an incorrectly fitted and malfunctioning door.
Often, when you book an automatic door installer to install your new automatic door, they will offer a package of routine maintenance to reduce wear and tear on the system, to inspect and perform any minor adjustments that are necessary once the door is bedded in and to promptly repair any defects that arise, minimizing downtime and preventing system failures from impacting your business operations.
In conclusion, having your new automatic doors installed by a professional is a sensible decision that will protect your reputation, your workers, your customers and your cash flow. DIY installation may seem a cheaper alternative, but over time, the costs of professional installation will deliver a sound return on investment, as your automatic doors will function effectively for longer, with lower maintenance costs and guaranteed legal compliance.
When you choose a professional automatic door installer to source, fit and maintain your automatic doors, you will benefit from the peace of mind of knowing that your system is built to last, tailored to suit your business needs and that an engineer will attend should you need them to.
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