Signs You Need to Replace an Automatic Door in Your School

Automatic door repair is a critical aspect for school and educational facility managers nationwide.

Signs You Need Your Automatic Door Replaced in Your School

Automatic doors are a great addition to any building, especially schools and other educational facilities. They make buildings safer, easier to access, and healthier for everyone. They are one of the best investments you can make in a building and save you money over time.

In many ways, automatic doors offer a “set it and forget it” option that makes daily life and work easier. However, despite all the advantages of automatic doors on school buildings, they still occasionally require attention.

As with any other modern-day technological advancement, scheduling regular maintenance on your automatic doors is important. It’s also important to know what signs to look for that could indicate it’s time to replace your doors. For example:

• Older doors are more likely to need repair or replacement.
• Doors that did not receive appropriate ongoing maintenance have a shorter life span than those that did.
• Changing safety and compliance codes could dictate a need to upgrade an automatic door.
• Upgrades to an overall building often require replacing automatic doors, but even if it’s not necessary, this can be a great time to replace older or outdated doors.

Automatic doors are designed to last for several decades. This is especially true for newer doors. Replacing automatic doors in a school is not something students should expect to experience more than once in their educational careers.

But this doesn’t mean they last forever and never need replacement. If your school’s automatic doors were installed in the 1960s or 1970s, it is probably time to upgrade. At Door Services Corporation, we offer a fast and easy commercial door repair service and installation.

Risks of Letting Automatic Doors Go Unmaintained

Neglecting your school’s automatic doors poses several risks. For example:

Doors in poor condition r are safety hazards. A malfunctioning automatic door might fail to open and close properly, which puts people at risk of being injured or even trapped, depending on the design of the door.

If automatic doors are required for your school to meet regulatory standards for people with disabilities, you’re not in compliance if your automatic doors aren’t working. In extreme cases, this puts your school or organization at risk of legal action. It could also result in fines levied by governing organizations.

Malfunctioning automatic doors also compromise the security of your school building. A broken door can also give access to intruders and make it difficult for staff to know when someone unauthorized has entered the building. Every day your automatic doors are broken, your students and staff have a higher risk of being exposed to danger.

Inefficient doors put your school at risk of increased energy costs. Even older doors that are still working can pose a risk if some gaps or leaks allow air to seep into or out of your building. At the very least, having older doors inspected for energy efficiency is a good idea.

Broken doors create potential legal liabilities. Your school is responsible if a malfunctioning door injures anyone. This is especially true if you’re aware of the malfunction and haven’t taken steps to remedy the problem. 

Older doors or doors in poor condition are usually an eyesore. Although not as significant as safety and security issues, it’s still important to maintain the aesthetic appearance of your doors. Modern, functioning doors that allow easy access to your school avoid the impression of neglect and positively boost your school’s reputation.

Signs It’s Time to Call a Technician for Repairs or Replacement of Your School’s Automatic Doors

How do you know it’s time to reach out to a technician for assistance with repairs, replacement, or preventative maintenance?

• Obvious signs of malfunction: If your automatic doors are slow to respond, make unusual noises, or fail to open or close properly, it’s time for maintenance.
• Visible damage to the doors: If you can see broken, cracked, or dented components, it’s best to call a technician ASAP. Even if the door still operates, you never know when the damage could cause a severe malfunction that could pose a safety risk.
• Upcoming inspections: If your school has an inspection schedule by a compliance agency, it’s best to have your doors evaluated in the weeks before the inspection. This way, you’ll know your doors are in compliance and don’t pose any safety issues before the inspection.
• Scheduled maintenance: Ideally, your school’s automatic doors should be regularly maintained. Even if everything is working well and you have no concerns, it’s best to schedule yearly maintenance. Many school officials choose to do this over summer break, so doors are set to go for the upcoming school year, and out-of-service doors don’t inconvenience students during the checkup.
• Time for replacement of older doors: If it’s been years since your school’s automatic doors were installed, it might be time for an upgrade. Replacing older, outdated doors with new, more efficient models improves energy efficiency, security, and functionality. A technician can come out and evaluate your school’s needs, assess your current doors, and help you decide which of the newer models is ideal for your situation.

How to Hire a Commercial Door Installer

Hiring a commercial door installer to replace automatic doors in your school can be daunting, especially if this is your first time doing it. When hiring a contractor/installer, keeping a few things in mind can help you avoid problems. For example:

First and foremost, look for contractors who are American Association of Automatic Door Manufacturers (AAADM)- Certified. They’ll know the ins and outs of proper automatic door maintenance and installation. Additional certifications might also support a contractor’s reliability and trustworthiness.

Other factors to consider:

• Experience: Any contractor you hire to help with your school’s automatic doors should have several years of experience installing, repairing, and maintaining these types of doors.
• Reputation: Online reviews and testimonials can be subjective, but they help you get a feel for a company’s overall reputation. They’re a great place to start when searching for an automatic door installer. Once you’ve contacted an automatic door company, it can also help to contact other school buildings in your area with automatic doors or ask to speak to past clients.
• Service range: It is always best to work with a company that offers a range of services, including repair, basic maintenance, installation, and upgrades, because they can handle all of your automatic door needs throughout its lifespan.
• Product knowledge: Not all automatic doors are created equally. You want to work with a contractor familiar with various brands and types of doors so they can suggest which option is best for your building.
• Warranty: The most reputable automatic door installation companies offer warranties and guarantees that back up their work.
• Professionalism: Opt for a contractor that communicates, delivers what they promise, and is professional in all interactions with you and everyone else on site.
• Value: The cost of automatic doors should never be your first concern, and you should never opt for the cheapest doors just to save money. However, you want to be sure you’re getting a good value for your investment. It can help to have a budget in mind before you begin exploring your options. Remember, cutting costs during installation could cost you more in the long run.

You can hire contractors in many places, but the easiest and most guaranteed-successful way is to contact us at Door Services Corporation.

How We Charge to Service Commercial Doors

Our purchase process for commercial door repair is simple. Our charges include:

• Technician travel time
• Time spent on site assessing a situation and performing commercial door repairs
• Repair and replacement materials

Are Our Technicians Certified?

Yes, all our technicians are certified by the American Association of Automatic Door Manufacturers (AAADM). They carry their cards for all projects and have significant experience dealing with various automatic door repairs and issues.

You can verify this and find answers to any other questions on our FAQs page.

Installing automatic doors on your school building is a serious investment. Not only do staff, students, and families use the doors to enter your facility, but your doors act as the face of your building. You want them to look and operate the best they can all of the time.

At Door Services Corporation, we offer the highest-quality services and have over 50 years of product knowledge to serve your needs.

What Areas We Service

Our geographical coverage for commercial door service is extensive. We service the communities mentioned below. If you are looking for automatic door service outside of these areas, visit our website for more coverage areas.

List of Cities/States