Best Practices and Compliance for Low Energy Power Operated Swing Doors Under ANSI /BHMA 156.19

Introduction

Automated doors play a critical role in accessibility and convenience across various settings, such as commercial, institutional, and residential buildings. Low energy power operated swing doors, which open and close with minimal force, are particularly important for ensuring access for individuals with disabilities or limited mobility. Compliance with the ANSI /BHMA 156.19 standard is essential to ensure the safety, functionality, and reliability of these doors.

Proper installation and ongoing maintenance, conducted by certified professionals, is equally crucial in ensuring doors remain safe and functional over time. The American Association of Automatic Door Manufacturers ( AAADM ) is instrumental in promoting the safe use of automated doors, advocating for installations and maintenance performed by trained professionals certified by AAADM . This white paper outlines best practices, including dos and don’ts for low energy doors, potential liability concerns, and the importance of professional installation and maintenance.

Understanding Low Energy Power Operated Swing Doors

Low energy power operated swing doors are specifically designed for environments that require ease of access without the need for fully automated systems. These doors comply with ANSI /BHMA 156.19, which governs their operation in settings such as hospitals, schools, public facilities, and office buildings.

Key Features of Low Energy Swing Doors:

• Knowing Act Activation: Low energy swing doors must be activated through a deliberate action, such as pressing a push plate, using a wave plate, or swiping a card at a reader. This ensures that the door will not move unexpectedly.
• Slow Operation: These doors open and close at a slower pace to accommodate individuals with reduced mobility.
• Low Force: The maximum force is 15 foot-pounds, minimizing the risk of injury.
• No Motion Sensors for Activation: Motion sensors are not permitted for activating low energy doors. Instead, secondary sensors can detect obstructions or resistance and keep the door open or cause it to reopen if necessary.

The key differentiator between low energy doors and fully automated swing doors (which comply with ANSI /BHMA 156.10) is that the former are designed to operate at a slower speed and lower force, specifically for controlled environments where deliberate activation is required. Fully automated doors, by contrast, are activated by motion sensors and operate with higher speed and force, making them suitable for high-traffic areas.

The Role of AAADM -Certified Professionals

The AAADM provides certification programs to ensure that installers and maintenance professionals are fully trained in the proper installation, inspection, and maintenance of automatic doors. This certification is essential because improperly installed or poorly maintained doors can pose serious safety risks, including personal injury or property damage.

Why AAADM Certification Matters:

• Expert Installation: Certified professionals ensure that doors are installed in full compliance with the relevant standards, such as ANSI /BHMA 156.19 for low energy doors and ANSI /BHMA 156.10 for fully automated doors. Improper installation can result in safety hazards, increased liability, and non-compliance with legal requirements.
• Routine Inspections: Regular inspections by AAADM -certified technicians help identify potential problems before they result in malfunctions or accidents. The AAADM emphasizes the importance of periodic checks to ensure that doors continue to meet safety standards.
• Effective Maintenance: Certified professionals are trained to maintain doors and their activation systems (push plates, wave plates, secondary sensors) to prevent failures that could lead to accidents or injuries.
  
  

Facility managers and building owners should always hire AAADM -certified professionals to install and maintain automated doors. This ensures compliance with safety standards and reduces the risk of accidents, which could lead to costly liability claims.

Do's and Don’ts for Low Energy Power Operated Swing Doors

Do’s

1. Ensure Compliance with ANSI /BHMA A156.19 Standards Low energy swing doors should be installed and operated in full compliance with the ANSI /BHMA A156.19 standard. Regular inspections and adjustments, particularly by AAADM -certified professionals, help ensure compliance.
2. Hire AAADM -Certified Installers Ensure that low energy swing doors are installed by AAADM -certified professionals who have received specialized training. Improper installation can lead to significant safety risks, and a certified professional will ensure that the doors operate within required limits for speed and force.
3. Install Knowing Act Activation Devices Activation devices, such as push plates, wave plates, or card readers, must be installed to activate low energy doors through a knowing act. These devices should be positioned appropriately and maintained by professionals to ensure continued functionality.
4. Perform Regular Maintenance and Inspections Maintenance and inspections must be carried out by AAADM -certified technicians. Mechanical components and secondary sensors should be checked regularly to ensure they are functioning properly, especially in high-traffic or high-use environments.
5. Install Secondary Sensors for Safety While motion sensors cannot be used to activate low energy doors, secondary sensors that detect obstructions or resistance during closing are critical for user safety. Ensure these sensors are installed and maintained by qualified professionals.

Don’ts

1. Don’t Use Motion Sensors for Activation Low energy swing doors must not be equipped with motion sensors for activation, as this violates ANSI /BHMA A156.19. The door should only open when a knowing act is performed, and motion sensors should not replace this activation method.
2. Don’t Ignore Regular Testing and Adjustments Door controls, including activation devices and force settings, must be tested regularly to ensure they are functioning correctly. Hiring an AAADM -certified professional for these adjustments is crucial for maintaining safety.
3. Don’t Use Non-Certified Technicians for Installation Avoid using non-certified professionals to install or maintain low energy doors. Improper installation can lead to non-compliance with safety standards, increasing the risk of injury and legal liability.
4. Don’t Neglect User Education Building occupants and users should be educated on how to use the knowing act devices properly. Misuse, such as trying to force the door open without using the activation device, can lead to damage or malfunction.

Potential Liability for Low Energy and Fully Automated Swing Doors

Both low energy and fully automated swing doors carry liability risks if not installed or maintained properly. These risks can be significantly mitigated by ensuring compliance with relevant standards and engaging AAADM -certified professionals for installation and maintenance.

Liability for Low Energy Doors

Low energy doors that fail to meet the specifications of ANSI /BHMA A156.19 could result in injury or property damage, leading to potential lawsuits. Common areas of liability include:

• Injury from Excessive Force or Speed: Doors that operate with too much force or close too quickly pose serious injury risks, especially to individuals with disabilities. Building owners can be held liable if a non-compliant door causes harm.
• Improper Installation or Maintenance: Failing to use AAADM -certified installers increases the risk of improper installation, which may lead to accidents or non-compliance with legal requirements.

Liability for Fully Automated Doors

Fully automated doors, which must comply with ANSI /BHMA A156.10, also carry liability risks, particularly in high-traffic areas.

• Sensor Failures: If motion sensors fail to detect movement, or secondary sensors malfunction, the door may close on individuals, causing injury. Regular maintenance by AAADM -certified professionals is crucial to ensure sensors are properly calibrated.
• Wear and Tear: Fully automated doors are subject to significant wear and tear. Failure to maintain these doors can lead to malfunctions, increasing the risk of injury and potential liability claims.

Conclusion

Low energy power operated swing doors, when installed and maintained in compliance with ANSI /BHMA A156.19, provide a safe and accessible solution for individuals with limited mobility. However, ensuring that these doors remain in proper working order requires the expertise of AAADM -certified professionals, who are trained to meet the highest standards of safety and functionality.

Building owners and facility managers must prioritize compliance, regular maintenance, and proper installation to avoid liability and ensure the safety of all users. Whether dealing with low energy or fully automated swing doors, engaging professionals who are certified by the American Association of Automatic Door Manufacturers is essential to minimize risk and promote long-term door safety and performance.