Preventable injuries are a leading cause of death in the United States, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). In 2023, work-related medically consulted injuries totaled more than 4 million, and preventable work deaths totaled 4,543. Contact with objects and equipment was the fourth-leading cause of injury and illness involving days away from work.
The NSC has designated June as National Safety Month to bring extra attention to the safety issues faced in the workplace and beyond. High-performance doors play a significant role in reducing injuries and fatalities by controlling access and preventing collisions in the workplace.
Here are some of the most common safety features and systems for high-performance doors that help maintain safe and productive work environments.
Basic Safety/Signaling Devices. These warning lights signal the door status, movement or issues with the door itself. They often use traffic lights with a red/yellow/green configuration, flashing strobe lights or rotating lights to alert vehicle operators and pedestrians that the door is in motion and they should stay clear of it.
SmartSurround® Advanced Detection and Alert System. This comprehensive detection and alert system combines artificial intelligence, optical light curtains and high intensity signaling lights to keep workers safe. SmartSurround allows you to integrate high-performance doors with your security or building management systems. Now your rigid rolling doors can intelligently detect and respond to a variety of traffic scenarios to improve safety around doorways. Plus, it extends beyond the door threshold, providing a visual cue for vehicles and pedestrians and enhancing safety in high-traffic areas without impeding traffic flow.
Safety Light Systems. Rytec’s Pathwatch® and Pathwatch® II systems are designed to increase safety and warning at the door threshold. They detect if a person or other obstruction is blocking the door’s path and prevent it from closing. Unlike conventional warning lights, the Pathwatch® systems attract attention from nearly any angle or direction of travel – exactly when and where it’s most critical.
Countdown Clock. This visual and audible alert system includes an adjustable timer that alerts nearby traffic to the amount of time that remains before the door begins closing. Like a street pedestrian crosswalk with a countdown timer, it helps nearby personnel to make better-informed judgments about the door’s status.
Audible Alert System. An audible alert system stores and plays back pre-recorded or user-created messages that can be played during various door activities. Customized messages can include nearly any caution or warning, such as: “Attention: this door is about to close, please clear the doorway,” and “The door is in airlock mode, please wait for the airlock to clear.”
Advanced3 Light Curtain Safety System. This intelligent signal processing provides continuous monitoring for improved door performance and longevity. Mounted in the door’s travel path, this system registers activity up to a height of 6 feet 6 inches from the doorway threshold to help prevent collisions.
System 4® Door Controller. Rytec provides a variety of safety options that can be easily programmed into our System 4® Controller. Its flexibility enables a wide variety of action/response triggers, which are particularly important when traffic is blocking the light curtain or photo-eye safety devices. In addition, three simple buttons enable full digital control of all door functions, parameters and positioning.
Ry-Wi® Wireless System. This Rytec technology provides two-way safety communication between the System 4® controller control box and the bottom bar of the door to enhance safety at door thresholds.
Activation Sensors. We offer several door activation options, depending upon the application and the volume of vehicle traffic. This includes automatic activation devices, such as floor loop sensors, motion and presence detectors, for hands-free door opening and closing. Enhanced activation devices not only monitor the areas immediately in front of the door, but enable programmable operation based on activity in areas adjacent to it. And manual activation options, such as pushbuttons, remote controls and pull cords, are suitable for areas with low or predictable traffic levels.
Vision Slats/Windows. Rigid rolling doors and fabric high-performance doors can be outfitted with vision slats or windows to give users a clear view into an adjacent area. These can be incorporated throughout the entire door for a full view of the other side, or they can be installed at eye level to improve visibility while maintaining privacy and security.
Reversing Bottom Edge. Depending on the safety features selected on a high-speed rolling door, the reversing bottom edge provides yet another safeguard. Equipped with responsive sensors located in the bottom edge of the door, it will immediately reverse if it senses an obstruction.
Photo Eyes. Photo eyes are another safety feature used to assess the area around the door to determine if it is safe to close or needs to be opened. If their light beams are blocked or interrupted, they will prevent the door from closing
See the features that make Rytec the safe choice in high-performance doors.
Or contact us to discuss your safety needs.
