I’m working on an article about the topic of standby power for automatic doors, which is a bit of a grey area. I want to know what y’all think, before I influence you with my opinion. So please weigh in and I’ll publish my post next week, including what I learn from your insight.
The question is this:
When is a low energy automatic operator required by a code or standard to have standby power, to allow it to operate automatically during a power failure (choose all that apply when you comment)?
- When the door does not have the proper maneuvering clearance for a manually-operated door
- On an operator that is required for an accessible public entrance
- Cross-corridor doors in health care facilities
- On every accessible restroom
- Always
- Never
- Other
PLEASE share your experience in the comments. This could help us to clarify future editions of the codes and standards.
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Yes for Number 1 and maybe for number 2
1, 2, 3, 4.
6 is my experience. Just too high of a power draw and no way to budget for voltamp needs.
But we’ve run into issues with buildings still being occupied during a power outage (or just the front vestibule not having power). But because our lock control (for our card access) was also being powered from the automatic door header, due to sequencing needs, our card access didn’t work even though our card access was on backup power.
So, I’m excited to hear what new code requirement will be.
On accessible smoke-release doors (very rare project requirement), so that will be under ‘7. Other’.
Backup power for automatic operators is required when they serve an accessible means of egress and don’t have the required maneuvering clearance, unless the door is designed to stay open on power failure
At one point in my career working in higher education I was responsible for 126 doors with automatic power operators. Most of those were low-energy operators. The AHJ did not require any of the doors to have standby by power as long as the operators met the code for the amount of force needed operate the hardware and to open the door.
Thanks Vernon! I’m just wondering if this will change since back then operators were not required by the codes and standards, and now there are some locations where operators are mandated.
– Lori
Lori, I’ve since left that facility, so I don’t have any direct experience with stand by power for egress purposes. But I would opine that if the automatic doors meet the “15 – 30 – 15” rule in an unpowered condition that stand by power would not be required. But perhaps we will see that requirement for high-energy operators that require 50 lbf to set the door in motion.
It certainly a thought-provoking topic. It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out during the next few code cycles.
I agree! Thanks Vernon!
– Lori