Incheon International Airport, South Korea

Millions of people land at and take off from airports in all corners of the world every year. The crisis caused by the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic has cut back significantly on the volume of travel. Gradually, however, people and airlines are returning to air travel, complying with all the health measures recommended by the supranational and national authorities.

Automatic doors are installed in most major airports in Europe, America and Asia. These make the flow of passengers easier, control the temperature inside the passenger terminals, and establish regulated access control to the different parts of the airport complex.

One of Manusa’s hallmark projects is at Incheon International Airport in South Korea. This is the largest airport in the country, and one of the most important in Asia. It is also the world’s fifth largest airport for freight transport, and a connecting point for international passengers and goods in the East Asia region. It is considered the most technologically-advanced airport of all Asia.

The airport has a railway station to streamline passenger arrivals, departures and access. Manusa installed a series of curved automatic sliding doors with framed leaves at this station. Without a doubt, an elegant solution for the architectural complex of the Korean airport, providing all the functionality, automation, convenience and efficiency possible in just one product.

Passengers walk through curved automatic bi-parting glazed doors that move radially. It is a great help for people arriving at the airport by train, as they do not have to push a door to reach the check-in desk or airport security before taking off.

aeropuerto puertas automaticas corea del sur incheon airport manusa south

automatic doors south corea train station

How does the sensor of an automatic door work in supermarkets, shops and businesses?

Most societies believe automatic doors to be just another part of their everyday routine. Millions of people stand in front of a door that opens and closes by itself almost every day. When travelling to work or university on public transport where the doors open after performing an action such as touching a button or approaching the entrance, when entering the office building, or during our free time when entering or exiting a shopping mall or supermarket.

The retail sector has incorporated automatic doors for years, with the comfort of its customers and employees in mind. Not having to use your hands to open or close a door and touch its handle or knob is a help to anyone.

All this is possible thanks to the sensor built into the top of the doors, which detects the proximity of pedestrians and opens its doors whenever anyone approaches.

Automatic door sensors in the retail sector

Two types of sensor can be found on the automatic doors of shops, supermarkets or shopping malls:

  • Touchless sensors
  • Movement sensors
  • Movement and safety sensors

The most common in buildings and shops is often the movement sensor. A good movement detection radar is the basis for ensuring the correct working order of an automatic door.

Manusa movement sensors are fast and effective, they make sure the door opens and closes as safely and hygienically as possible whenever anyone approaches, especially during this time of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

The movement sensor detects the person and sends the signal to the door software, which performs directional detection and recognises the direction of movement within the radar field via microwave.

Along with this type of movement sensor are several identification systems that can be extremely effective for company employees. Particularly noteworthy are the hands-free system, the smart card reader or facial recognition.

What are the advantages of capacity control for customers?

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the plans and routines of people worldwide. And not just people. Companies have also suffered the presence of this virus and have had to re-adapt their businesses or, worse still, shut down.

In an attempt to increase safety in spaces of all kinds, many companies have chosen to install a capacity control system over recent months in order to control the number of people allowed into an area, whether it be indoors or outdoors. These places include restaurants, industrial enclosures, cafés, banks, theatres, concert halls or shops, among others.

But what advantages are there for people entering these spaces wearing a mask, ensuring social distancing, and with sanitiser gel on their hands?

  • People have more peace of mind
  • Crowds are prevented
  • Users know that they are in a safe place from the virus
  • Being in a space that guarantees all this thanks to automatic doors

The system provides non-personal real-time data, enabling companies to automate the counting of people who are in a building. This product counts the people who enter the premises, those who remain inside, and those leaving. This means that employees do not have to spend time controlling the entrances to the property. The switches are already doing this for them.

How to know how many people enter a property?

Many business owners ask themselves how many people enter their business every day, how customers behave on the premises, in which part of the shop they spend most time, or which products on the shelves or displays they look at most frequently.

But this does not only involve the search and purchase period, but also the time they have to wait to pay, or the conversion ratio. All these issues are already measured on e-commerce websites. This is now also possible in real life thanks to the capacity control system.

The evolution of commands and controls on automatic doors

The history books say that it was at the end of the 19th century when the famous Nikola Tesla invented the first remote control. Subsequent improvements to the prototype, and the innovations made have turned it into one of the most commonplace items in society.

The first steps in the remote control switched an appliance on or off, or kept it on standby. The military industry saw it as an interesting item, and consumer electronics adopted it for all types of electrical appliance, such as the television. Changing channel or raising and lowering the volume from the comfort of the sofa was a turning point in the everyday lives of millions of people around the world.

The industry related to the manufacture of automatic doors also saw remote controls and control accessories as something very possible. The goal was to automate the opening and closing of doors as much as possible in all types of building, such as airports, banks, apartment blocks, hotels, restaurants, office complexes or hospitals.

The best controls for automatic doors

There is an extensive range of remote controls to open and close doors automatically. This includes the following:

  • Optima Pocket + remote control for automatic doors: This enables you to control the automatic door and receive feedback on the status of the door.
  • Optima program switch: This offers full control of the door, changing the operating mode (open, closed, automatic, etc.) and providing access to the Technical Service functions. Malfunctions can also be checked.
  • Smart program switch: This can be used to change the operating mode, access the Technical Service functions, or check operating malfunctions.

The best remote control accessories for intelligent accesses

A series of products is available to efficiently manage entrances and exits through an automatic door.

  • Optima + program switch: This enables you to control the door remotely and receive feedback thanks to the IoT technology built into the accessory.
  • Airlinx wireless program switch: This can be used to control one or several doors remotely, and to receive data on their status. Thanks to the Airlinx, a wireless network can be created among different doors, making wiring connections a thing of the past.
  • Manulink: This is centralised control software for automatic doors. It will inform you of the status of the doors, and can be used to program changes in operations or simply modify them. This accessory enables you to view IP cameras and check data on influx control and people counting.

This type of product is constantly evolving. Since the first prototypes of the automatic door were invented by Heron of Alexandria, mankind has been aware that automation makes life easier.

Tips for automatic door maintenance

Whenever you buy or install a technological product, you always spend time using it, discovering its possibilities, and learning how it works. You want to explore all the options it has to offer to improve your personal or professional life.

Automatic doors are also equipped with technology and need not only to open and close well, but also to work perfectly. For this to be the case as of day one, all their parts, components and additional products must be monitored.

Everyday maintenance of automatic doors must not be forgotten, to make sure the product operates as new for a long time to come. Intelligent accesses are installed in many different buildings and are often seen as yet another part of everyday life.

Below is a list of tips to help keep your automatic doors in perfect condition.

  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and contact the after-sales technical service. The warranty provided by the company selling the product must offer this possibility.
  • Avoid using the doors inappropriately, such as forcing the product, preventing it from moving naturally, or hitting it. Make sure the speed of the drive units is correct and that the leaves slide freely without any obstacles.
  • Keep the doors and their components clean. Cleaning is essential in any technological product.
  • Replace any damaged or worn parts. If a part of the door has been damaged, this might cause problems with the rest of the product as a whole.

How often should automatic doors be inspected?

You might ask how often maintenance work should be carried out on intelligent accesses in a large building, small premises, or an apartment block. The answer depends on the use given to each automatic door.

A monthly inspection of the product is recommended. If it shows signs of technical problems, solve the incident as quickly as possible to ensure a satisfactory experience and to extend the working life of the automatic doors.

Biometric Identification Systems at Access Points

The technological pace in the 21st century is very fast. What today seems like a novelty, will become obsolete in just a few years. A few decades ago, no one imagined that some of the technologies we were seeing in science fiction films could become a reality. It is true that many of these did not materialise, but others did.

Some biometric authentication systems have been very popular for some years, and others started being implemented not so long ago.

But what is biometrics? It is a system whereby the identity of a person can be verified using a series of patters which define body features. In this sense, we can refer to some well-known and widespread authentication systems:

  • Fingerprint reading, used in ID cards and passports. Its use is widespread for unlocking mobile phones and to make online payments.
  • Iris recognition, used for accessing buildings and restricted areas.
  • Voice recognition systems, whose use has become standard thanks to smartphones and voice-activated assistant systems that more and more people are using in their homes.
  • Face recognition, especially popular at airports for border crossings, although it is also widely used for unlocking phones and other devices.

Biometric authentication is also used at the entrance and exit points of buildings, or for different areas within them. With the fingerprint, the iris, and face or voice recognition systems, it is already possible to open automatic doors.

Safety is essential for avoiding unwanted access to any company’s building. Control accessories such as those managed by software and other devices, guarantee this kind of safety if there are no biometric authentication systems in place.

The implementation of access automation is becoming increasingly commonplace all around the world. A relentless sector at the forefront of the 21st century.

How do automatic doors affect sustainable projects?

Sustainability has become one of the cornerstones of any company seeking to improve its corporate social responsibility and to protect the environment and the planet.

Both large corporations and SMEs alike are working to ensure that their everyday work includes aspects that enable their staff to perform their professional roles in the most sustainable manner possible. Initiatives range from using cardboard materials instead of plastic to travelling by public transport or controlling the temperature in offices as efficiently as possible.

Installing automatic doors is a practice that is also being implemented and which helps companies reduce spending. This approach exponentially improves the energy efficiency in any building, be it an airport, a bank, a hotel, industrial premises, a shopping centre, a hospital or an office complex.

Social commitment and automation to increase sustainability

The installation of Manusa automatic doors guarantees that hot air from heating or cold air from air-conditioning is not dispersed. Automating work processes improves the quality of work of employees and in turn makes for a healthier company.

The durability of automatic doors ensures that a business does not need to change its doors frequently. A manual door deteriorates more quickly and is more easily damaged since it endures regular contact and its hinges inevitably suffer wear and tear.

Also, let’s not forget that intelligent access facilitates public transit, consequently preventing overcrowding at entry and exit points in any building. Over the coming years we will see the transition towards automatic accesses in all types of construction and property, for personal convenience and for the good health of our planet.

The advantages of hermetically sealed automatic doors for operating theatres

In a healthcare complex such as a clinic, a health centre, a nursing home or a hospital, it is essential for the safety and hygiene of employees and patients, along with those accompanying them, to be a crucial issue.

Most of these healthcare sites have operating theatres. This type of room set up for surgical operations require extreme care, as patients entering the operating theatre might often be subject to different medical interventions.

One of the important aspects, as well as the professionalism of the doctors and nurses, and the technical equipment, involves the entrances to the rooms where operations take place. Four necessary elements can be underlined here: hygiene, appearance, airtightness, functionality and safety.

This post discusses airtightness. It is essential for an operating theatre to be airtight to avoid any external contamination. Remember that doctors and nurses wash their hands several times before starting an operation. The theatre must be equally hygienic, and airtightness helps with this.

Hermetic operating theatres to protect against viruses

Hermetically sealed automatic doors provide an exceptional seal against dust and other harmful airborne elements. They minimise their movement and the transmission of particles, virus, pathogenic bacteria and other contaminants.

These hermetic doors for operating theatres -also available for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) cubicles- can be sliding, swing, or lead-lined. All the doors designed and manufactured by Manusa meet functionality, appearance and hygiene requirements.

For more free-flowing movement by medical staff, different types of presence sensors or buttons can be installed at the entrances, as required. The door can also be fitted with a vision panel containing a flush-mounted, elegant and easy to clean camera.

Hygiene is guaranteed with Manusa products thanks to the use of materials such as stainless steel or high pressure laminate (HPL) available in a wide range of colours. The healthcare sector must be one hundred percent safe.

The importance of safety during transport. From the seatbelt to automatic doors

One of the key factors to consider in any type of transport is safety. Whether it’s a private vehicle or public transport, everyone always appreciates having elements near us that guarantee that our journey will be safe and give us peace of mind in unforeseen circumstances.

Firstly, we usually check that vehicle’s structure or chassis, wheels, windows, etc. are safe for travel. For example, decades ago, it wasn’t customary or even obligatory to wear a seatbelt in four-wheel motor vehicles. Nowadays, it’s an essential element.

During the late 20th century, this particular detail was ignored and many people travelled without a seatbelt. Furthermore, headrests (considered nowadays as an essential element for reducing neck injuries in road traffic accidents) were not taken seriously enough. Although some countries still don’t enforce the use of seatbelts as an accessory that saves lives, the public are increasingly becoming aware of them.

Even if automatic doors may seem like a futuristic element in private cars, we do see them as something normal on public transport such as buses, the metro or trains. It is a product so widely accepted in the transport sector, that we see automatic doors in airports, transport interchanges or bus stations.

They are complimented by accessories such as access control systems used to manage entry into and exit from a space. Or the capacity control system, which is very useful in crowded areas such as train stations. Thanks to this system, it is possible to know how many people are present in real time and avoid overcrowding. This is obviously very useful during a pandemic to prevent transmission.

Automation improves people’s quality of life. Over the next few years, we will see an increase in the use of automatic elements in different parts of society.

Spine Center Gothenburg, Sweden

One of the most rapidly-evolving sectors responding to the needs of society is healthcare. Every year sees the creation of new hospitals and clinics worldwide, which seek to help millions of people improve their quality of life through surgery, innovative medical treatments or therapies, and routine check-ups.

Other health centres built years ago are adapting to 21st-century technology using innovative products that improve the time spent in the buildings. Public administrations and private entities related to healthcare are working to ensure that people are as comfortable as possible in what are usually uncomfortable situations. After all, nobody normally visits a doctor when they are well.

One of Manusa’s hallmark projects is in Sweden at Spine Center Gothenburg. This is a health centre exclusively specialising in spinal surgery. It offers professional, personalised treatment to patients with problems related to the neck, thorax or in the lumbar region.

automatic doors goteborg sweeden Spine Center Gothenburg

With the support of Thermod, Manusa supplied hermetic Clear View glass doors. These automatic doors have a specific design which ensures airtight environments in certain rooms or areas, such as observation rooms in hospitals. They also provide clear visibility of the interior as well as guaranteeing optimum pressure, hygiene, temperature and humidity.

Automatic door systems in hospitals and operating theatres

The professionalism demonstrated by the installation technicians ensured that any type of infection was prevented in highly-sensitive areas such as the centre’s operating theatres. The high quality of Manusa’s automatic doors guarantee isolation against any external elements. This enables isolated areas to be built without compromising all of the benefits of automatic doors. Additionally, there is a wide range of accessories and different measurements, finishings and colours which do not compromise airtightness or safety.