In fire stations and other emergency response facilities, every second counts. From the moment a call comes in, EMTs and emergency personnel must mobilize quickly and exit the station safely to protect their community. In these situations, the station’s overhead doors play a critical role in response time and safety.
That’s why many emergency services facilities are turning to high-performance doors paired with additional advanced technologies. Unlike conventional doors, high-performance doors offer a range of high-tech options that keep emergency services running smoothly, day in and day out.
SmartSurround®: Enhanced Safety for Busy Doorways
Most door safety devices can detect movement at the door threshold, but they provide little insight into what’s happening at the door opening. Some existing sensors aren’t precise, which can result in “false positive” alerts. As vehicles and pedestrians pass by, these sensors may open the door or hold the door open – even though they’re not moving through the door opening. This may obstruct usable lane space, which can be extremely challenging in an emergency situation.
In contrast, Rytec’s SmartSurround detection and alert system is precise and efficient. It features next-generation pattern recognition and advanced traffic-sensing technology to enhance doorway safety for emergency vehicles and personnel, as well as community members who might accidentally use overhead doors to enter the station.
SmartSurround uses artificial intelligence (AI), advanced light curtain sensors, and high-intensity LED lights to track traffic entering and exiting the door threshold. By combining these technologies in a single unit, it creates an active four-corner perimeter guard that extends beyond the door threshold while minimizing the impact on valuable floor space near the door opening.
The AI software uses data gathered by the sensors to assess the traffic type, as well as movements through and near the doorway, then determines which alerting lights are most appropriate and what movements the door should make. That enables it to detect and respond to a vehicle that may not have cleared the doorway or a pedestrian entering the area near the door.
Even better, it’s now offered as standard equipment on most Spiral® door models.
Advanced System 4® Controller
The Advanced System 4 Controller takes door performance to a whole new level. It integrates with door opening security systems to enable a wide variety of action/response triggers, which is particularly important when traffic is blocking the light curtain or photo-eye safety devices. The easy-to-read display provides scrolling messages and easy-to-understand instructions to simplify operation, allowing personnel to quickly and confidently manage door performance.
With System 4, EMA facilities and fire stations can:
- Integrate doors into building management and security systems
- Use secure access controls to limit who can open or close doors
- Monitor doors remotely with optional Rytec Connect®
- Program the door to match traffic speed and environment
Speed Without Sacrifice
In the past, many fire stations left overhead doors propped open during shifts to avoid delays. But this can compromise security, waste energy and expose valuable equipment to the elements and passerby.
High-performance doors solve this problem. With opening speeds of up to 100 inches per second, high-performance doors allow fire trucks and emergency vehicles to exit almost instantly – eliminating the need to prop doors open.
This speed also means the station environment stays secure and protected. Doors remain closed until the moment they need to open, creating a safe and efficient environment with fast response times.
An Investment in Safety and Efficiency
Firefighters and EMS teams dedicate their lives to serving others. Providing them the tools and infrastructure they need – right down to the doors they drive through – helps ensure they can do their jobs quickly, safely and effectively. With high-performance doors, stations can keep moving forward at the speed of service.
Rytec’s Spiral® FV® high-performance doors are especially well-suited for emergency situations. They’re designed to offer a powerful combination of speed, aesthetics, security and durability to facilitate quick and efficient operations while providing full vision on both sides of the threshold. This unique design guarantees optimal visibility.
Learn more about our doors for emergency response services, or contact us to discuss door options for your facility.
