At a glance
- 01
Duty matched to door
Standard, heavy or high-wind duty, chosen for the door’s weight, traffic and exposure.
- 02
Three kinds of button
Standard wired push plates, wireless buttons, or touchless wave sensors.
- 03
Locks and operator together
Electric strikes and exit hardware set up so the locked door still opens on command.
- 04
Homes as well
Residential door operators for people who need an easier way in.
An automatic door opener lets someone open a swing door by pressing a button or waving a hand. For a person using a wheelchair, walker or crutches, or pushing a stroller or a cart, it is the difference between getting through on their own and waiting for help. We supply and install automatic door operators for businesses, institutions and homes across the Tri-City, along with the hardware they connect to.
Where operators are used
- Main entrances and vestibules of offices, clinics, shops and apartment buildings.
- Universal and barrier-free washrooms, usually as part of a barrier-free washroom kit.
- Interior corridor doors in institutions, where heavy fire doors are hard to push.
- Homes, where a family member needs to get in and out independently.
Choosing the duty
Operators come in different strengths, and matching one to the door matters more than any other choice:
- Standard duty: interior doors and lighter exterior doors with moderate traffic.
- Heavy duty: large or heavy doors, high-traffic entrances, and doors that cycle all day.
- High-wind: exposed exterior entrances where gusts push against the door, so the operator has the strength to open and close it under load.
An undersized operator struggles, wears out early and leaves the door ajar on windy days. An oversized one costs more than it needs to. We size each one from the door, its location and how often it’s used.
The Ditec HA8
The Ditec HA8 is a swing-door operator we install. It mounts above the door and drives it open and closed through an arm, and it can be set up for different door sizes and traffic. Before ordering, we check that the door, frame and hinges can carry it and choose the duty to suit.
Buttons and activation
- Standard buttons: the familiar push plates, often with the wheelchair symbol, wired to the operator.
- Wireless buttons: no cable through the wall, which helps on masonry, glass or finished walls and on retrofits.
- Touchless switches: a wave of the hand opens the door, popular for washrooms and healthcare settings where people would rather not touch a plate.
Button placement is as important as the operator. A button needs to be reachable from a wheelchair and far enough from the door that the swing doesn’t hit the person who pressed it. Camden is one of the activation brands we carry.
Locks, closers and access control
An operator has to cooperate with the rest of the door. If the door is locked after hours, the button should do nothing or should work only after a fob is presented. That takes an electric strike or electrified exit device, wired so the operator and the lock act in the right order. We handle that side as part of the job, including the access control where there is one.
Planning an installation
- We look at the door, frame and hinges, and how the door is locked today.
- We choose the operator duty and the kind of buttons, and agree where the buttons go.
- Power is arranged at the head of the door; depending on the site, that may need an electrician.
- We install the operator, buttons and any lock hardware, then set the opening speed, hold-open time and closing force.
- We test it with you and show staff how it behaves when the door is locked.
Accessibility in Ontario
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act sets the province’s broad accessibility goals, and the Ontario Building Code’s barrier-free design requirements cover things like accessible entrances and power door operators in many new buildings and major renovations. What applies to your building depends on its use, size and the scope of the work, so confirm the requirements with your designer or the local building department. Where an operator isn’t required, many businesses add one anyway because their customers and staff need it.
Keeping it working
Operators run thousands of cycles. Arms loosen, settings drift and buttons get battered. If a door is opening too fast, not closing fully, or not responding to its button, call us at 519-894-7055 and describe what it’s doing. For a new installation, request a quote with a photo of the door and frame.
Questions people ask
Does my business need an automatic door opener by law?
It depends on the building. The Ontario Building Code requires power door operators at certain entrances in many new buildings and major renovations, while existing buildings that aren’t being altered often don’t have to add one. Your designer or building department can confirm what applies.
Can an operator be added to our existing door?
Usually, if the door, frame and hinges are in good condition. Heavy doors may need the hinges upgraded, and locked doors need an electric strike or exit device that works with the operator.
Wired or wireless buttons?
Wired buttons suit new construction and walls where cable is easy to run. Wireless buttons avoid opening walls and work well on masonry, glass and retrofits. Touchless switches are a good choice for washrooms.
What is a high-wind operator?
An operator with the strength to open and close an exterior door against strong gusts, used on exposed entrances where a standard unit would stall or leave the door open.
Will the door still open by hand if the power goes out?
Most swing-door operators let the door be pushed open manually, much like a door with a closer. We’ll confirm how your particular setup behaves.