The Door Industry Journal

Wednesday, 29 April 2026

Abloy UK relaunches London showroom to showcase the next generation of security solutions

Abloy UK has relaunched its showroom at The Building Centre in London, unveiling a newly renovated demonstration space designed specifically for architects, specifiers and security consultants seeking high end solutions for their designs and developments.

The showroom brings together Abloy’s extensive portfolio of access control systems, digital locking solutions, and integrations with intruder detection in a fully operational environment.

The space has been designed as a resource for the industry, offering a space where professionals can experience security technology first-hand and better understand how solutions can be specified, integrated and applied across different building types in different applications and environments.

By providing a practical space where professionals can evaluate both technical performance and product aesthetics, the showroom helps to support projects at the earliest stages of design, allowing Abloy to work closely with customers in tailoring solutions that align with their needs.

To mark the relaunch, Abloy invited architects to an event at the showroom, giving attendees the opportunity to explore the newly refurbished space and see the latest security solutions in action. The event provided an opportunity for industry professionals to gain insight into how advanced access control and locking technologies can be implemented into contemporary building design.

On display are IP-based intercom systems including DoorBird, alongside wireless access control platforms such as Aperio and SMARTair. Visitors are also able to explore wired locking solutions with electric locks and the Escape Door System (EDS), as well as Abloy’s digital key solutions including, CLIQ, PULSE and CUMULUS.

The showroom also features a working demonstration door that shows how access control integrates with Abloy’s Escape Door System (EDS). The door highlights security as well as compliance with the latest building regulations, providing visitors with real-life examples of how the systems operate, showcasing functional implementation.

Pip Courcoux, Technical and Product Director at Abloy UK, said: “Our aim is to support the industry in making informed choices when it comes to security the built environment.”

www.assaabloy.com

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Tuesday, 28 April 2026

DHF to showcase expertise, exclusive offers, and new training at The Security Event 2026

The Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) has announced its presence at The Security Event 2026, taking place on 28–30 April at the NEC Birmingham. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet industry experts, explore new training opportunities, and access an exclusive membership offer.

DHF will showcase a preview of its new Building Hardware Training programme at the event. The programme has been designed to support product managers, customer service teams, trade counter operatives, and professionals working within the building hardware sector in developing key skills and maintaining compliance with industry standards. Visitors will be able to learn more about the programme, explore how it can benefit their organisation and register their interest ahead of the launch.

Visitors to Stand 5/A102 will also be able to take advantage of a special £100 discount on their first-year’s subscription fee, when applying at the DHF stand. This offer gives companies and professionals a valuable opportunity to join one of the UK’s leading trade bodies and access ongoing technical support, training, and guidance.

DHF’s technical team will be available throughout the event to provide expert guidance and answer technical questions whether that’s about best practice, compliance requirements, or current industry developments. The Membership and Training team will also be present to discuss the full range of member benefits. Visitors will be able to collect the 2026-2027 training and membership brochures at the stand.

A number of DHF members will be exhibiting at the event, including Allegion UK, ASSA ABLOY, CAME UK, CLD Fencing Systems, Commtel, dormakaba, Easygates, Element Materials Technology, FAAC UK, Frontier Pitts, GEZE, Hikvision, Inova Gates, Latham's Steel Doors, LORIENT, Metador, Pendle Doors, Rutland UK, SQUIRE SECURITY, Strongdor, The Keysafe Company, UAP Ltd, and UL Solutions.

“The Security Event 2026 provides a valuable opportunity to meet our members, speak with industry professionals, and share the latest developments in training and technical support,” explains DHF’s Deputy CEO, Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens. “We look forward to welcoming visitors and discussing how DHF can support businesses across the sector.”

Visitors can register for a free ticket to attend by visiting: https://bit.ly/41ihQ6k and are encouraged to attend Stand 5/A102 to learn more about DHF and its support for the door and hardware sector.

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Monday, 27 April 2026

FIRE DOOR HARDWARE TRAINING, DEMOS AND COMPETITIONS

Allegion helps keep people safe where they live, learn, work and connect and is bringing together its family of trusted door hardware brands at The Fire Safety Event 2026, taking place between the 28th and 30th April at the NEC, Birmingham.

Allegion’s team of fire door safety experts will span two exhibition stands at this year’s Fire Safety Event, 4/E90 and 4/F20. At stand 4/E90, visitors can explore a comprehensive portfolio of precision-engineered solutions, with a series of working door displays and live demonstrations highlighting how Allegion’s security, hardware and door control products operate as part of a complete and compliant fire door assembly.

Throughout the three day event, Allegion’s experts will provide practical, on-the-spot guidance and advice for its range of tested and certified hardware solutions, suitable for timber, steel and composite fire doors.

Amongst the featured products on stand 4/E90 will be the new Boss electromagnetic hold-open cam-action door closer. Designed to integrate into the alarm system of modern buildings, it provides effortless accessibility, free movement and life safety compliance.

Other stand highlights include the fire-rated FinProtect Plus finger protection guards, used to safeguard fingers on the hanging side of doors, and the Zero International Drop Seal, an automatic drop seal mechanism that automatically lowers and raises the seal when the door is operated. In addition, Allegion will demonstrate its widely used Briton and Von Duprin panic and emergency exit hardware ranges.

Allegion is also inviting visitors to stand 4/F20, where a dedicated team will provide support on fire door safety best practice and compliance, and introduce accredited practical fire door training courses from Fire Door Maintenance (FDM) for professionals looking to upskill and develop key areas of their knowledge.

Alongside product demonstrations, Allegion is also running a competition, offering visitors the chance to win a free one-day accredited training course at its state-of-the-art FDM training centre. To enter, participants must correctly identify the faults found on an on-stand fire door display. One winner will be drawn each day of the event and may attend their chosen course on a date of their choice.

Speaking on their presence at this year’s event, Pete Hancox, country manager at Allegion UK, commented: “The Fire Safety Event is a celebrated occasion in the industry calendar, and we are delighted to be making a return with our growing family of brands. More than ever, we remain committed to advancing fire door safety and raising awareness on the correct specification, installation and maintenance of door hardware.

“Our team of experts possess decades of experience and combined with a complete portfolio of high quality products from industry leading brands such as Briton, Boss, Fullex, Zero International and UAP, we are well positioned to reach, educate and support visitors at this year’s event. Over the three days, we will have a valuable platform that allows us to engage with professionals through live hardware demonstrations, compliance guidance and practical training sessions designed to improve fire door safety standards.

“We look forward to welcoming visitors to both our stands for what will be our largest presence at the event to date, as we showcase our fire door hardware solutions for both residential and commercial sectors.”

To find out more on Allegion UK and its fire door hardware solutions, visit stand 4/E90 or head to www.allegion.co.uk. For information on Allegion’s FDM training centre and accredited courses, visit stand 4/F20 or: www.fdmltd.co.uk

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Sunday, 26 April 2026

PRESENTING PROJECT NIGHTINGALE: A COACHBUILD COLLECTION

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars presents Project Nightingale, a Coachbuild Collection. Named after Le Rossignol, French for ‘the nightingale’, and the name of the designers’ and engineers’ house near Henry Royce’s winter home on the Côte d’Azur, this extraordinary production concept is an open two-seat motor car that introduces a dramatic new expression of Rolls-Royce design.

Defined by grand proportions and underpinned with a fully electric drivetrain that delivers a uniquely silent open-top experience, Project Nightingale draws on the glamour and confidence of the 1920s and 1930s while remaining entirely of its time. Its creative vision is fully resolved – the small number of design details that remain demand entirely new manufacturing techniques that are currently under development. Only 100 examples will be created for sale, each coachbuilt by hand at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood.

“Some of the most discerning Rolls-Royce clients in the world asked us for our most ambitious work," says Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Project Nightingale has been conceived for the uniquely design-literate clients at the heart of the Coachbuild Collection programme: people for whom a perfectly resolved surface is as compelling as the glamour of driving an open-top Rolls-Royce. The motor car’s aesthetic is inspired by the principles of Streamline Moderne design from the late Art Deco era, wherein precise lines and uninterrupted forms are more powerful than ornament. In that spirit, when conceiving Project Nightingale, Rolls-Royce creatives embraced sheer, monolithic volumes.

Another point of inspiration for Project Nightingale is Rolls-Royce’s experimental motor cars of the 1920s. Known as ‘EX’ models and fitted with red badges – which Project Nightingale is also equipped with – these are some of the rarest and most desirable motor cars in the marque’s history. Two of these prototypes were a particular focus: 16EX and 17EX.

These motor cars were created in 1928, at the height of the Jazz Age, just three years after the Art Deco movement was given its name. Henry Royce and his engineers cloaked two powerful Phantom chassis in lightweight aluminium bodies to achieve a new top speed for Rolls-Royce. 16EX and 17EX were designed to reach in excess of 90 miles per hour, and their torpedo-shaped form perfectly captured the audacity of Royce’s ambition: an imposing overall scale; a long bonnet; a shallow windscreen; and a snug, enveloping cabin with driver and companion set deep inside.

FRONT ELEVATION

At 5.76 metres in length, Project Nightingale is almost exactly the same length as the marque’s flagship saloon, Phantom, yet devoted entirely to a two-seat convertible form.

The grille itself is a bold interpretation of one of the most recognisable icons in luxury. Its generous surround – almost a metre in width – appears to be carved from a solid block of stainless steel, with 24 vanes set deeply within it.

Beneath the grille, a structured section widens at 45 degrees from each lower corner before dropping down vertically, from which a carbon fibre apron projects forward, traced by an elegant chrome belt.

TORPEDO ‘CENTRAL FUSELAGE’ IN PROFILE

In profile, the full impact of Project Nightingale’s driver-oriented, torpedo-shaped design is revealed. An expansive bonnet gives way to the dramatically raked windscreen, framed on each side by a stainless-steel form housing a delicate quarterlight window, inspired by the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé. Behind it is a compact cabin for two, set deep within the body, before the rear deck falls and tapers towards a dramatically low trailing edge. This is a motor car that is almost entirely bonnet and tail, its two-seat cabin an intimate counterpoint to the grandeur of the volumes surrounding it.

Significant development has been focused on the surfacing, ensuring that Project Nightingale appears to have been carved from a single, solid billet. To minimise visual noise, engineers developed a handle for the coach doors that incorporates a hidden lock mechanism and a discreetly integrated indicator lamp. The Rolls-Royce ‘Badge of Honour’ is also distilled into an elegant stainless-steel ‘Double R’ monogram, placed sparingly on each front wing and in the centre of the luggage compartment.

Against this serenity, 24-inch wheels – the largest fitted to a Rolls-Royce – strike a considered contrast. Their directional design is inspired by the propellers of a yacht viewed from beneath the waterline: forms that appear to be in continuous motion even when the motor car is stationary. The surface also includes subtle, machined stripes, creating the impression of wire wheel spokes moving at speed, while aluminium flakes within the black finish introduce a delicate sparkle as the wheel turns.

A TAIL OF CONSEQUENCE

Towards the rear, the surfacing swells around the rear wheel arches, creating an impression of planted, muscular strength that balances the overall design’s grace. The deck above is purposefully horizontal, broken by two rear lamps of exceptional precision: these slim clusters fall from the upper surface to the lower at an almost perfect right angle. This striking treatment is further dramatised by the Piano Boot, which opens sideways on a cantilever, both recalling the ceremony of a grand piano and transforming a functional moment into a considered act of arrival.

A single longitudinal brake lamp is placed directly at the centreline on the rear of Project Nightingale, recalling the speed stripes of great Streamline Moderne design. Directly below, a recessed chrome number plate surround is set into the lower rear face with the precision of a watch bezel: a small detail that rewards the closest attention.

THE INTERIOR SUITE: A WORLD FOR TWO

During an early prototype drive, Rolls-Royce designers were able to hear birdsong with unusual clarity. Intrigued by this experience – and in tribute to the motor car’s name – they began studying recordings of nightingales and analysing the distinctive sound-wave patterns created by their song. From these studies emerged an idea: to translate the rhythm of birdsong into a visual form that could envelop those within the motor car.

The result is the Starlight Breeze suite – a flowing constellation of ambient illumination comprising 10,500 individual ‘stars’ in three subtly varied sizes. Extending from the front of each door around the driver and companion’s seat, the illumination wraps those within in their own celestial field, transforming melody into light.

The Starlight Breeze illumination is carried within a sculptural interior form called the ‘Horseshoe’, which rises behind the seats and frames the occupants in a protective architectural gesture.

The leather of the door card is overlaid as a raised section recalling a finely crafted saddle. This motif continues through the centre console in a leather-covered saddle armrest – split into two delicate pieces – which aligns precisely with the Coachline that runs the length of the bonnet, through the cabin to the rear central brake light.

ENGINEERED ELEGANCE

Project Nightingale is powered by the marque’s fully electric drivetrain. For a Coachbuild Collection conceived for the most discerning and design-literate clients in the world, the qualities of electric power are deeply considered. The silent and effortless delivery of power amplifies every characteristic that has defined the Rolls-Royce experience for more than a century, and the nature of this powertrain unlocks completely new design possibilities. Further engineering details will be shared as the motor car progresses through its global testing and development programme.

Entry to the Coachbuild Collection programme is by invitation only and client deliveries will commence from 2028.

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Saturday, 25 April 2026

Kenrick appoints Suzanne Nicholl as Sales and Marketing Director

Longstanding hardware manufacturer Kenrick has appointed Suzanne Nicholl as Sales and Marketing Director, further strengthening its leadership team as the business continues its next phase of growth and innovation.

Suzanne has spent her career working within both the hardware and composite door markets. She brings a strong track record in commercial leadership, sales strategy and brand development and will play a key role in driving Kenrick’s continued expansion across both traditional hardware and smart security solutions.

Martin Smith, General Manager at Kenrick, said: “As Kenrick continues to expand its product portfolio, particularly with new innovations in both traditional hardware and smart security solutions, Suzanne’s leadership will be invaluable. Her strategic insight and industry knowledge make her a perfect fit for the next stage of our development.”

Suzanne has built her career within the fenestration sector, beginning in the hardware market before moving into the composite door industry, where she held senior commercial roles leading sales, marketing and customer service functions, and has been responsible for driving significant revenue growth.

www.kenricks.co.uk

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Friday, 24 April 2026

Celebrating 40 years of supporting the UK industrial door trade

In December 1986, Indupart opened its doors for the first time. From a small trade counter in Watford to a nationwide operation today, the company’s journey has always been rooted in one purpose — to support the UK industrial door trade with the right products, shared knowledge, and dependable service.

Four decades later, that same focus remains unchanged. Indupart’s story is one of steady growth alongside the industry it serves — built through collaboration, adaptation, and a commitment to helping others do their work well.

A trade built on people and purpose

Across every part of the company — from warehouses and transport to sales and technical support — Indupart’s progress has come from a simple principle: work hard, share what you know, and support the people around you.

“Forty years is a milestone we’re incredibly proud of — but it wouldn’t have been possible without the people behind it. Every role matters, every effort counts, and that’s what’s kept Indupart moving forward for four decades,” says Patrick Taylor-Jones, Managing Director.

That team-focused approach has shaped how Indupart operates and how it connects with others across the sector — from engineers and installers to manufacturers and suppliers. It’s a shared ecosystem where experience, consistency, and cooperation matter most.

Supporting the trade through change

Since the late 1980s, the industrial door market has evolved dramatically — from manual shutters and early automation to the advanced systems seen today. Through it all, Indupart has remained close to the trade, adapting to new standards, technologies, and customer needs.

Expanding its depots and product range over the years has allowed the company to provide broader support across the UK. The introduction of technical training, in-house sectional door production, and practical guidance has further helped engineers and installers stay equipped and informed as the industry moves forward.

That ongoing support — not just in products, but in knowledge and accessibility — continues to be central to Indupart’s role within the trade.

Looking ahead

Marking 40 years isn’t just about reflecting on the past — it’s about recognising the strength of the wider industry that’s grown alongside it. Indupart’s partnerships with suppliers, customers, and trade bodies have all played a part in that collective progress.

As the business looks to the future, the aim is to continue contributing to the industry’s development — supporting innovation, promoting best practice, and keeping the focus firmly on the people and businesses that make the trade what it is.

Because while the products and technology will keep evolving, the purpose remains the same: to support the UK industrial door trade — together.

www.indupart.co.uk

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Thursday, 23 April 2026

Grange Farm Development receives SBD Gold

One of South Harrow’s most notorious housing estates is undergoing a major regeneration. Phase one of the Grange Farm Estate redevelopment has already received a number of Secured by Design Gold Developers Awards for the project, and has also been commended for at the annual SBD ATLAS awards, recognising the work of Designing out Crime Officer (DOCO) Danny McPhail, the local authority and the developers.

Originally built in the 1960s as a temporary housing solution to meet rising demand, Grange Farm Estate was one of the last prefab estates still standing in London. Two hundred and eighty two homes were constructed quickly in three-storey blocks using a now-outdated building material called Resiform - a type of glass fibre reinforced polyester panelling.

Sixty years later and the flats had begun to seriously deteriorate. Roofs and panels were damaged, homes were inefficient to heat and the whole estate had become increasingly difficult to repair and maintain.

Along with the physical decline, Grange Farm Estate had also developed a reputation as a hotspot for crime and disorder. Gang activity and drugs were rife, and violent crime was not uncommon including serious incidents of acid attacks, stabbings and at least one shooting.

In 2019 the London Borough of Harrow approved a huge four-phase regeneration programme in partnership with developers Higgins Partnerships and Hawkins Brown Architects. The plan involves demolishing the old blocks to deliver approximately 500 homes, 40% of which will be social housing. The new Grange Farm development will also include a new community centre, shared public open spaces and new walking routes to transport links and local areas. DOCO McPhail from the Metropolitan Police has been a key adviser from the outset.

Phase One has already delivered 68 much needed new council homes, and 21 shared ownership properties for locals along with a new network of public streets and squares for communal use. However, recognising that the original pre-approved lighting plan fell very short of SBD crime prevention standards, the Met DOCO created an improved scheme involving extra lighting around the block and communal gardens.

On completion the three blocks of flats received SBD Gold awards, but the two town houses initially were awarded Silver. Harrow Council Housing wanted to aim higher and after further measurements suggested by Officer McPhail including the installation of extra lighting, CCTV and intruder alarms, Phase One of the development went on to achieve five SBD gold standard awards. Tenants have already moved in.

DOCO Danny McPhail commented, “It was a well-designed phase and Higgins understood the Secured by Design requirements. They kept in regular contact and ensured that any concerns were fully discussed and actioned upon. The only issue related to external lighting, which had been agreed without any prior discussion. However once it was identified Higgins addressed all the concerns in a timely manner and rightly obtained five Gold Secured by Design awards for the development.”

As a result of the regeneration up-to-date crime statistics show only one reported theft of a motor vehicle occurred in the two years since completion, no reports of anti-social behaviour by non-residents and no burglary or criminal damage reports.

Harrow Council has now launched Phase Two of the project which aims to deliver two new apartment blocks with secure bike storage and parking spaces, landscaped communal areas, pedestrian friendly streets and a children’s play park.

Yaseen Parkar, Pre-Construction Director (Technical) at Higgins Partnerships, commented: “We are privileged to receive the ‘Highly Commended’ Secured by Design award for our Grange Farm Phase One development.

“Not only did the scheme achieve Secured by Design Gold certification, but we were also informed that crime in that part of the estate has been almost non-existent since we handed the project over more than a year ago. That’s a clear testament to the effectiveness of these design measures in creating safer, more resilient communities.”

www.securedbydesign.com

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Wednesday, 22 April 2026

ROBUST UK INTRODUCES CORROSION-RESISTANT STEEL GATE SOLUTION

Manufactured from Magnelis® steel, OUTA-GATE offers significantly improved corrosion resistance compared to standard galvanised products. This enhanced protection ensures outstanding performance in exposed environments, reducing maintenance requirements and extending the product’s lifespan.

As a result, OUTA-GATE is supplied with an anti-corrosion warranty of up to 10 years, providing confidence and reassurance for specifiers, contractors and end users.

The low maintenance properties of OUTA-GATE make it particularly well suited to applications where ongoing upkeep must be kept to a minimum, including student accommodation, social housing, rented properties and residential gated communities. Unlike timber alternatives, OUTA-GATE will not warp, rot or require frequent repainting, ensuring a consistent appearance over time.

Developed as a practical and stylish alternative to traditional timber or standard metal gates, OUTA-GATE is suitable for front and rear garden paths, entrances, driveways and controlled access points. The gate features a choice of vertical or horizontal panelling effects on both sides of the leaf, providing a clean and modern appearance.

OUTA-GATE is available off-the-shelf in a range of standard sizes, with widths of 900mm or 1000mm and heights of 1200mm, 1600mm or 2100mm. For customers that require gates up to 1200mm high, OUTA-GATE is supplied with a gate latch as standard, whilst gates over 1200mm include a mortice lock for enhanced security. Double gate options are also available for wider access requirements.

OUTA-GATE is finished in a durable polyester coating and is available in a selection of the most popular colours; Traffic White, Jet Black, Anthracite Grey and Moorland Green. For those seeking a more distinctive look, woodgrain effect finishes and non-standard colours can also be specified alongside a choice of matt black or stainless steel hardware.

Paul Williams, Commercial Director at Robust UK, explains: "This is the first time we have introduced an off-the-shelf steel gate solution, after recognising increased demand in the market for ready-made solutions. This alternative to traditional timber gates delivers enhanced corrosion resistance and long-term durability for both commercial and residential environments.”

www.robust-uk.com/product/outa-gate

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Tuesday, 21 April 2026

ASSA ABLOY extends P600+ cylinder patent for enhanced key copy protection

The P600+ cylinder from ASSA ABLOY has had its patent extended to 2036, providing customers with total peace of mind that their keys are protected against duplication.

The only legal way of securely protecting key blanks, patents prevent unauthorised key copying and maintain secure key control, making them an essential requirement for any cylinder.

Sophie Potts, Product Category Manager at ASSA ABLOY, comments: “There have long been misleading claims out there about key copying and how to protect against it, but the truth is that only patents ensure that extra keys cannot be legally obtained without the owners’ knowledge and permission. With the P600+ patent extension until 2036, we’re providing our customers with complete peace of mind. Not only is the cylinder one of the safest and most secure on the market, but it is comprehensively protected from unauthorised key copying for years to come.”

A robust, high-security solution, the P600+ is tested to the highest demands of EN 1303:2015. Built on cutting-edge pin technology, the cylinder is tested to 500,000 cycles and offers a staggering 170,000 master-key combinations. This makes it ideal for large-scale projects in sectors such as healthcare, education, and local government.

With its paracentric key profile and extended key neck, the P600+ is designed to work with security hardware, providing enhanced security for Euro profile cylinders. The cylinder is also fire-tested to BS EN1634-1 standards, ensuring it can be used on fire doors to prevent the spread of fire and smoke.

Available in a satin finish and in multiple profiles – including Scandi Oval, Scandi Round, UK Oval, Euro, and Round Threaded – the P600+ is also backwards-compatible with existing P600 platforms.

www.assaabloy.com

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Monday, 20 April 2026

Car park access: Choosing the right drive & control for the application

Car park entrances are among the most demanding door applications in the industry. Whether positioned beneath residential apartments, integrated into mixed-use developments, or serving high-turnover commercial sites, they are expected to perform flawlessly—often hundreds of cycles a day—while remaining secure, quiet, and reliable.

We spoke to Dan Pahal, Business Development Manager at GfA UK, to discuss how installers can navigate these complex specifications.

For installers and specifiers, success lies in asking the right questions at the outset. Traffic levels, security, user profile, noise sensitivity, and system integration all influence the correct choice of drive and control package. Get it right, and the result is a high-performing, low-maintenance solution that satisfies end-users, architects, and facilities managers alike.
Understanding traffic demands

The starting point for any car park project is usage. A simple way to estimate demand is to multiply the number of parking spaces by the expected turnover. In busy retail environments, entrances and exits may operate almost continuously at certain times of the day, whereas residential or commercial settings may see distinct peaks in the mornings and evenings.

High traffic volumes demand drives designed for frequent operation and minimal downtime. Underspecifying here risks premature failure of the drive system requiring costly callouts. For these applications, a high-usage, or GfA FI (inverter) drive is often the required solution to handle the duty cycle.

Managing noise and neighbour impact

Noise is frequently the deciding factor in residential and mixed-use projects. A door that rattles, slams, or lingers open can quickly generate complaints from occupants above or beside the car park.

Selecting an FI drive with soft-start and soft-stop functionality significantly reduces mechanical shock and vibration. Inverter drives allow for smoother acceleration and deceleration, improving both acoustic performance and component longevity. While lath type and mounting arrangements are critical to minimising transmitted vibration, the control logic must also be set to avoid unnecessary open times that prolong the disturbance.
Specifying for public use

Unlike industrial sites, many car parks are used by untrained members of the public, which changes the safety equation. Automatic operation, vehicle detection loops, photocells, and safety edges are essential considerations.

Clear logic that ensures the door closes promptly once a vehicle has passed improves both safety and security. Specifiers should refer to BS EN 12453 5.2.1.8 [AC1] to help select the correct type of safety devices for the application.

Where a punched lath or rolling grille is utilised, high-level anti-entrapment sensors must be installed if there is risk of a person being lifted by the door. Installers should also consider control panel accessories, such as blanking plates and safety edge covers, to prevent unauthorised use and vandalism in accessible areas.

Intelligent control and integration

Today’s car-park doors are no longer simple open-and-close mechanisms; they are active parts of the building’s ecosystem.

Integration is increasingly important. In enclosed or underground facilities, doors often need to link with fire-alarm systems, ventilation fans, or building management systems (BMS). The control solution must accommodate these additional signals without compromising reliability.

This orchestration requires a control solution with sufficient inputs and outputs, as well as sufficient flexibility. Functions such as auto-close (triggered once a vehicle clears a detection beam) help prevent doors from remaining open unnecessarily. In ramped or narrow entrances, traffic-light sequencing can manage one-way movement to reduce conflict, while exit stacking management prevents vehicles from queuing out into public roads.

Security beyond the door leaf

Car-park entrances pose a specific security risk, meaning specification must look beyond the door leaf. Whether linked to access cards, remote controls, or ANPR systems, the control panel must integrate seamlessly with external inputs.

Specifiers should consider the logic for both directions. How is unauthorised access prevented on entry? How is tailgating managed to ensure security without causing congestion on exit?

Security also means resilience. Rapid closing after activation reduces the window of vulnerability and discourages misuse.

Checklist: Selecting the right package

When specifying a drive and control solution for a car-park project, a structured checklist helps avoid compromise:

● Cycle rating: Confirm the number of spaces and cycles per hour/day to ensure the drive rating matches the application.

● Door type: Roller shutters, sectional doors, folding gates, and sliding gates all require different drive configurations.

● Speed and smoothness: In busy environments, faster opening reduces vehicle waiting times, but this must be balanced with controlled, quiet movement as with the GfA FI drives.

● Control capability: Ensure the control panel can handle the required peripherals. The GfA TS Control Panel range, for example, is available with 1000mA support to accommodate the additional 24v loading from ancillary devices like traffic lights.

● Safety and security: Specify safety edges, monitoring systems, and anti-entrapment devices.

● Environmental conditions: Consider IP ratings and protection based on where the drive and control are being installed.
Long-term performance

Ultimately, car park access systems are judged on reliability. Facilities managers expect consistent performance with minimal disruption, while residents notice only when something goes wrong.

By carefully assessing traffic levels, user profiles, and integration requirements at the specification stage, installers can match the correct drive and control logic to the application. The result is a solution that delivers smooth operation, strong security, and low noise, even under demanding conditions.

For advice on your car park applications, the GfA sales team is on hand to provide a solution. Contact the team on 01926 452452 option 1.

www.gfa-elektromaten.com

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