In contrast, high-performance rolling grilles are constructed with long-lasting stainless steel links to withstand heavy continuous use, at least 300,000 cycles a day. They do not need maintenance outside of daily checks, and can be springless, which removes another potential point of failure. The extra money initially spent on installing a high-performance garage door or grille pays for itself in lower total cost of ownership in the long run.
Another issue with installing standard grilles in higher-speed applications is they do not automatically come with the most advanced light curtain safety technology. These touch-free solutions are suitable for high-speed, high-cycle door applications because they reduce the risk of both personal injury and vehicular damage. While standard doors do come with photo eyes at the bottom, which are certainly safer than zero precautions, this is not the most comprehensive solution on the market because it lacks blanking features.
Blanking features allow for partial closing of a door or grille and subsequent continuation of the closing cycle when an obstruction is cleared. This is more advanced and safer than basic light curtains that fail to recognize last-minute obstructions because the infrared beams are turned off as the door or grille closes.
Additional benefits
One of the unique advantages of high-performance compact rolling grilles is how quiet they are. Curved vertical links are engineered to reduce vibration. This makes for a whisper-quiet roll down grille perfect for parking garages that also house residents above the opening, ensuring they are not disturbed while the grille is operating.
Some door products can even be configured to withstand up to 1915 Pa (40 psf) static design pressure, suitable for extreme weather events that are becoming more common across Canada. Plus, the addition of new stainless steel products on the market translates to grilles and doors that can stand up to heavy rain, snow, and other potentially corrosive environments for years to come.
Some manufactures are also equipping products with features such as plug and play connections and standard sensors to reduce installation time. Liquid-crystal display (LCD) screens, for example, provide step-by-step instructions for door commissioning, electronic limit setting, and status/error messaging. They are also set up to easily accept virtually all parking lot gate activation and safety devices. This allows unparalleled functionality and usability for users.
Conclusion
Today’s high-performance compact rolling grilles also offer a unique esthetic that not only looks great but provides visibility, security, and safety. These esthetically pleasing options look at home in contemporary high-rises and mixed-use facilities sprouting up in Canadian cities. As building design evolves to create the city of tomorrow, rolling grille manufacturers are designing products to match.
