Alberta Building code has been updated in 2024 with new barrier free standards.
Most new commercial buildings in Alberta are going to need barrier free access, which means there are a whole lot of door operators being installed in our beautiful province. We sell, supply, and service door operators/handicap openers. Here are three things that we do well.
- Automatic door operators need easy ways to control them. We see new installations with no provision for controlling the activation buttons, or turning the handicap operator on and off. On some doors that works, but climbing on a chair twice a day to turn your door operator on or off is annoying and clunky. Electronic hardware like timers, door position switches, and key switches are good ways of properly controlling automatic devices.
- How’s it going to lock? Often we see low bid door operator installations with no consideration given to how the operator is going to be used, or what kind of locking devices are on the door. Most glass aluminum storefront doors use either a narrow style deadlatch or flip-up deadbolt. These can be electrified to work nicely with the operator.
- Improper controls will shorten the life of the operator hardware. If the operator is left on, and the activation buttons are live, it is hard on the operator motor and gearbox if someone uses the buttons when the door is locked. The operator will try to open but won’t due to the door being locked. Eventually, this will cause the handicap operator to fail prematurely.
If you have a project that requires door operators or an existing operator that needs service or an upgrade, please give us a call at 780-257-0778 or email curtis@finelinelocksmithing.
Reference the Alberta building code here https://www.alberta.ca/building-codes-and-standards
