BEA sensors for low energy doors provide safety in higher risk environments

Pittsburgh, Pa. (November 14, 2007) – In many low energy door settings, the 2007 update to ANSI 156.19, which does not require safety sensors, is adequate to provide safe and effective access.  In higher risk settings like nursing homes and hospitals, the majority of the population may not be protected by this standard.  In these environments, without safety sensors, patrons are vulnerable to injury caused by low speed door impact during the closing cycles.  LE sensing packages from BEA go beyond the minimum standard to reduce the possibility for injury and liability.

On low energy doors, a pedestrian can stop a door by applying up to 15lbs of pressure to the leading edge of the door; a healthy, able bodied person with good balance should be able to accomplish this easily.  In environments where a large portion of the population have impaired mobility, the average person is much less likely to be able to stop a closing door.  Someone using a walker or cane will be less able to maintain balance while reaching for the leading edge of the door, and less able to apply the required pressure, exposing the person to potential injury. 

BEA’s LE Package 2006 and LE Package 2007 allow property owners to improve safety beyond the ANSI standard while balancing their safety and budget needs.  The LE Package 2006 provides low cost sensor detection with a Superscan-I, mounted on the top closing side of the door to detect any obstructions in the door’s closing path.  For added protection, BEA recommends the LE Package 2007, with two Superscan-II and a Bodyguard overhead presence sensor.  This combination package protects pedestrians on both the opening and closing sides of the door. With the added protection of the BodyGuard, presence is detected in either the door closed or door open position, with detection through the door threshold 12″ to 18″ when the door is open.

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