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While generally these doors can meet a range of design needs, often their benefits revolve around three specific areas: accessibility, space-saving design and acoustic privacy. In a course developed for The American Institute of Architects (AIA), Tysen Gannon, LEED AP (BD+C), explains how sliding door systems have helped deliver high-performing openings in healthcare, education and office settings. This post will provide the central points of presentation. Interested architects can take the on demand course on Architectural Record’s site.
Sliding door systems improve building accessibility
Commercial sliding doors are often top-hung and so do not need a floor track. This, in conjunction with soft-close systems and hardware that is compliant with Americans with Disability Act (ADA) standards, creates openings that are more easily operated by those with mobility assistive devices. Designers can further enhance the accessible operation of sliding door systems by specifying automatic opening systems that activate a door with a wave of the hand or push of a button.
In addition to operation, it is important to note that because sliding doors glide along walls, they reduce both approach and maneuvering clearance requirements. This support more accessible environments by eliminating falling risks—a detail that is especially relevant in the design of healthcare facilities. It also contributes to space-savings, a common concern in many occupancy types.
As flexible openings, sliding door systems solve space-efficiency challenges
Sliding door systems and swing doors with auxiliary leaves allow wider openings when needed without sacrificing space that would be needed to accommodate the swing arc trajectories of traditional swing doors. In fact, sliding doors can save up to 30 square feet per application. These savings accumulate across a floor plan to allow a greater amount of design freedom. For example, the designers for Pacific Medical Centers’ Gately-Ryan Building in Renton, Wash., used the space-efficiency these doors delivered to create additional exam rooms—adding one extra room for every 11 originally planned.
Eliminating swing arc trajectories can also contribute to more flexibly designed educational settings. Oversized sliding door systems can help blur the line between two adjacent rooms, allowing educators to rearrange classrooms or utilize lesson plans that need more space. And because these doors deliver premium acoustic performance, they can also close to support concentrated work of a standard class room set up.
Perimeter seals create more acoustic privacy
While previously sliding door systems were not able to provide the acoustic ratings of their swing door counterparts, innovations to these doors have improved their ability to deliver a high degree of acoustic isolation. Perimeter and drop-down seals along with robust framing and premium door leaves impart a Noise Isolation Class (NIC) rating of up to 39 to these systems. This means sliding door systems can block up to 39 decibels of sound, effectively dampening a conversation at normal volume on one side of the door to a murmur on the other side.
This rating meets or exceeds the Facility Guidelines Institutes target for speech privacy in exam rooms. It also helps create acoustically isolated areas in education and office settings. Not only is this capability important for ensuring occupants with space to accomplish concentrated solo work, but it also further supports design flexibility by allowing a greater range of activities within a given space.
Sliding door systems support more than design goals
Commercial sliding doors contribute to flexible and accessible designs for several occupancy types. They can also contribute to code-driven fire and life safety. By constantly pioneering the next-generation of commercial sliding doors, AD Systems has helped architects solve challenges in over 60,000 buildings around the globe.
The ability for a door manufacturer and supplier to help meet project demands comes from the ability to meet and discuss specific details and how doors can support a designer’s intention. As such, architects based in the Pacific Northwest or travelling there can contact Tysen Gannon at Tysen.gannon@allegion.com to arrange a factory tour or to be added to our mailing list for when we hold another event in the near future.
