ANTICIPATED 2005 ANSI STANDARD SLIDING DOOR PACKAGES

Approach Zone (Current Standard ANSI 156.10 section 8.2.1)

Activating detection areas shall have a minimum width equal to the width of the clear opening measured at 15 in. and 30 in. perpendicular from the face of the closed door(s).

• The new standard will require that the activating zones for swinging, sliding and folding doors shall have a minimum width equal to the width of the clear opening measured at 8 in. and 30 in. perpendicular from the face of the closed door(s)

Why is this important
New Technology allows presence detection area to lie much closer to the moving part of the door than in the past. The ability to adjust the detection pattern closer to the door dramatically increases the level of safety achievable. Different technologies adjust in different ways. At this time, the most accurate adjustments can be made with products that utilize Focused Infrared technology.

A presence sensor shall be used to prevent a fully open door(s) from closing when a person is in the space between the two non-overlapping activation areas.

The new standard calls for presence detection on both sides of the sliding door package. The standard allows for the following configurations:

1. 4 photo beams (2 on the non slide side and 2 on the slide side of the package) with the lowest beam installed between 6 and 28 inches and the other three at a spacing between 6 and 12 inches apart.
2. Look through overhead presence sensor that remains active till the doors are within 6 inches of close or add 2 photo beams if the sensor shuts off before 6 inches of closed.
3. 2 overhead presence sensors that can be adjusted to within 3 inches of the face of the door and shall remain active to within 6 inches of closed. 2 photo beams should be used if the sensors can not be adjusted to within 3 inches of the face of the door.
4. 2 photo electric beams on the non slide side of the door with an overhead presence sensor on the slide side of the door adjusted to within 5 inches of the face of the door

Why is this important
New technologies allow for there to be an increased level of safety at the threshold of a sliding door package. These new parameters take into consideration pedestrians using walking aids or shopping carts. It also considers our smaller pedestrians and slower moving traffic. Existing door systems can easily and cost effectively be upgraded to these new standards using active infrared over head presence sensors.

Header Mounted Sensor, Swing Side
Current Standard ANSI 156.10 section 8.1.2.1

If an overhead sensor is used to provide a safety zone, the length of the active area shall be effective to within 5 inches of the face of the closed door measured at the center of the door opening. The safety zone shall extend out a minimum of 5 inches beyond the leading edge of the door in the open position when measured at the center of the door opening. The width of the active area measured perpendicular to the face of the closed door shall be the door opening less five inches from either side for a total of 10 inches maximum measured parallel to the face of the door at a distance of 15 and 30 inches.

• The new standard calls for the active area width be measured at 8 in. and 30 in. parallel to the face of the door. It also added that when an overhead sensor is prevented from providing a safety signal to the control during the closing cycle, additional sensor(s) or photo beam shall be used to inhibit reopening of the door until the safety zone is cleared.
• The photo beams would be installed at the end of the guard rails
• The door mounted sensors would have to meet the parameters listed below

Why is this important
Any application where over head presence sensors are locked out during the closing or opening cycle will require photo beams at the end of the guide rails or door mounted presence sensors and guide rails to be in compliance. When upgrading your customer's door system consider cost, labor and functionality of either system.

If a door mount sensor is used to provide a safety zone, it shall provide an active area 5 inches maximum from the face of the door for the width of the door less 5 inches from the pivot point. A door mount sensor on either side of the door shall detect a 28 in. minimum high person or equivalent in the swing path, during the opening or closing cycle and shall cause the door to reverse direction, stop or slow down to a maximum latch speed of 4 inches per second measured within 1 inch of the latch edge before any contact is made.

• The new standard will require a door mount sensor to have an active area equal to the width of the door less 5 in. from the pivot point and within 1 in. of the leading edge of the door and be active to within 5 in. of the face of the door. A door mounted sensor mounted on either side of the door shall detect a 28 in. minimum high person in the swing path, during opening or closing cycle and shall cause the door to reverse direction, stop or slow down to a maximum latch edge speed of 4 in per second measured within 1 in. of the latch edge before any contact is made.

Why is this important
This change was made with the specific intention of increasing safety on a swinging door panel along its leading edge. Because of the specific nature of this part of the standard, we highly recommend you walk test all doors with this type of sensor configuration to ensure you have proper coverage. If you have any question as to whether or not your sensor system complies, please refer to the manufacturer for their recommendations.

The 1999 standard used the term "human or equivalent" to describe test targets for sensor adjustments. The 2005 standard will simply use term "Human" when referring what the sensors are intended to detect. This change came as a result of field testing and the difficulty to mimic true human characteristics with an object.

Summary

This analysis illustrates just a few of the key changes that are to occur in the new ANSI standard. We highly recommend that when it is published, you read the entire ANSI 156.10 to ensure full understanding and compliance. The goal of the standards change is to increase the overall safety of automatic doors in our industry. At Optex, we believe that these changes will have a substantial positive effect on automatic door safety in the United States and we support them 100%. For more information on the new ANSI Standard, please visit the AAADM website at www.AAADM.com.

Optex sensors have always been designed with safety in mind. Our complete product line will meet or exceed these new standards. We use Focused Reflective Active Infrared Technology that allows for sharp area adjustment and accurate detection of humans of all shapes and sizes with increased immunity even in harsh environments including rain and snow.

Please feel free to contact us with your questions or comments.

PRO-SWING PREMIER COMPLETE:
Our new ProSwing Premier sensor is a header mounted focused active infrared swing side safety sensor with multiple memory locations to eliminate double door relearn problems. It includes a look through detection pattern for threshold safety.
Ordering Information:
Use Model Number: PROSWING-PR