Door communication inside a facility
Many facilities use mirrors for blind corners and traffic signs at intersections and doors. Unlike mirrors, which can provide a real view of obstacles and workers, traffic signs merely offer safety advice. Workers who approach a door with a ‘slow’ sign will not always heed its warning, especially if they have gone through the door hundreds of times without an incident.
Some light communication systems are providing an additional layer of security. Pre-announcing when a door is about to close using strips of light-emitting diodes (LED) lights on either side of the door. When a door is about to close, the lights will flash yellow. When the colour of the lights turn red, the door is closing. This system is good for alerting workers when to avoid passing through a door opening in a facility.
Counting down in 2016
Another light communication system being used is a countdown system. Similar to the flashing yellow and solid red lights of the pre-announce system, this light communication system alerts workers when an open door is about to close.
However, instead of coloured lights, a number countdown appears in an easily viewed location near the door, like a crosswalk countdown at a busy street intersection. The countdown can be set as high as 99, although most facility managers set a range under 15 to help regulate traffic flow. The numbers will appear white all the way down to 3, but then change to yellow on 2 and 1. Once the countdown is complete, a red arrow points down to signify the door is about to close. Motion sensors allow workers to re-activate the door at any time, which restarts the countdown sequence.
Much like a pre-announce system, this type of light communication system is great at letting workers know when a door is about to close.
Virtual vision is right around the corner
Although there are safety benefits to both of the aforementioned light communication systems for high-speed doors, neither allows workers to ‘see’ what is on the other side of a door. Systems alerting workers on one side of a door if something is approaching from the opposite side are now being made available. Knowing if something is about to enter a door can prevent a host of potential accidents, including a forklift/worker collision at the entryway.
This light communication system uses the same type of motion sensors high-speed doors use for opening and closing. Once these motion sensors detect a person or forklift approaching, flashing red LED light strips on the opposite side of the door appear to alert personnel that the door is about to open. These LED alert strips can be placed on the outer portion of the door or wherever they are most easily viewed by workers.
In addition to high-speed doors, this virtual vision light communication system can be used in other applications where blind corners exist, such as hazardous intersections, aisle ends, or anywhere else in a facility with less than ideal vision.
Improving safety around high-speed doors
High-speed doors have brought several benefits to facilities across North America and the world—increased productivity, better operational efficiencies, and safety. As these types of doors become more ubiquitous due to these benefits, it is important for safety around high-speed doors to keep up. Just as loading docks have become safer places with light communication systems, soon the areas around high-speed doors will follow. One should be sure to stay up with the latest trends in door safety and talk with door experts to find the best solution for the facility.
Jon Schumacher is the director of marketing for Rite-Hite Doors. He has been with the company for 20 years and is the vice-chair of the Door and Access Systems Manufacturers Association (DASMA). Schumacher can be reached via e-mail at jschumacher@ritehite.com.
