​Access Panels 101 – Meeting the Requirements

Access doors are a building solution that is sometimes easily overlooked in any job. Entries are used so frequently that their function is taken for granted. When it comes to designing or updating the look and functionality of a space with an access panel, what should one look for? Access Doors and Panels lists the primary considerations to think about to ensure the proper access panel is selected to meet your requirements.

Use the following guidelines, and you will create functional success for your access doors.

Purpose

What is the goal of this door? Perhaps this is the door your customers will be using to gain access to their building. Maybe it is a bay door that opens to allow trucks to deliver a product. Or perhaps it is the front door to a residential dwelling. The type of entry you choose will depend on its function. For example, if you are creating a storefront, the door must be user-friendly while still meeting safety standards. Adding windows or having glass doors can also be a good solution because it allows customers to look inside your store and build their interest in your product. No matter what type of building it is, knowing the purpose of the door will guide you in your search for the most optimal access door.

Security

Another aspect to consider for access doors are the security requirements. Doors are the entry and exit point for rooms and buildings; therefore, different security requirements may be necessary for different access points. For example, doors into workshops with classified information may need to be high security rated. This means they must entirely close on their own and be able to withstand the heat of a burning fire. Another consideration to factor in when it comes to security is if there needs to be the ability to have sight lines for visuals. Sometimes to see what’s inside or outside. Before installing a new door, check and determine what the needs for security are – are they low, medium or high. Do the panels need to meet specific building codes? Business code?

Aesthetics

While their function is paramount, so is the aesthetic appeal. Whether you are looking to retrofit a door onto an existing building or match a new door to a modern building keeping with the design of the building itself is extremely important. An entry that does not match the structure it’s affixed to stands out, and not in a right way. When choosing the door to think about what colour the building is, what material it’s made out of and the size of the building. For example, large buildings should have large doors. The scale is important. A small door on a vast building looks odd. Just as a large glass door on an old wooden building does not seem right. The viewer cannot always pick out precisely what is wrong with the design, but their brain can register that something just doesn’t work. Aesthetic appeal matters. The building your business is housed is in a part of your marketing. If you have a run down or odd-looking structure, people will associate those eccentricities with your business. When purchasing a panel or door, genuinely consider the fluidity of the style and appeal for which the company or industry is going for.

Material

Like other elements of the door, the material it’s constructed from matters significantly. Some different factors should go into choosing the correct equipment for the door. As previously mentioned the design of the building itself should be a factor. For example, a wood door fits well with a timber sided structure, a steel door on a contemporary building, a glass door on a building filled with windows – the list goes on. The safety requirements of the door should also be a factor when choosing the material. For example, a door needs to be made of glass so that sights lines can be maintained, where another door may need to be fire rated. Each type of material will dictate what sort of door can be installed and what functions it can provide.

Making the decision

Choosing the best access door for your building requires many different factors. The purpose of the door will affect what kind you want and the material it’s made out of. Any safety requirements outlined by the building code will also change the type of door that is installed. As will the climate in which your building resides. Finally, the aesthetics of the overall structure will need to be taken into consideration. When choosing your new door, do not underestimate the value of each of these factors. The right door gives your business the proper access.

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