Page 16 - Security Today, September 2020

A Hands-free Environment How to prepare for the new normal
By Cris Post
No one will argue that the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed the way we interact in public spaces.
Since the pandemic struck, and the United States has been struggling to adapt to the “new normal,” facility man- agers in organizations across all industries and sectors have been scrambling to implement effective, efficient solutions to minimize the risk of exposure for their employees, visitors and patrons.
As workplaces implement new processes, including making schedule changes, facilitating cohort rotations or reconfiguring work areas to achieve the recommended six feet of separation, leaders are looking for solutions that fit their specific needs – ranging from low-to-high tech – to keep their staff safe in a vari- ety of environments.
One of the most frequently touched surfaces is door hardware, so it should come as no surprise that alternatives like hands-free door openings can minimize a multitude of skin-to-surface touch points throughout the day. Regardless of future regulations, re- ducing the number of contact points in a facility will be an effec- tive way to minimize future germ spread.
As there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to ensuring a build- ing is a completely touchless environment, facility managers must assess and identify door opening solutions that meet the specific needs of their spaces to minimize the spread of germs and bacteria.
Automated Openings
Automated openings like revolving doors, swing doors or sliding doors, offer stylish touch-free convenience for building entryways that are high risk areas for the spread of viruses – simply based on the sheer number of people passing through them each day.
Modern automatic sliding door systems can be customized for all uses, tastes and architectural styles, from rugged aluminum- framed door systems for demanding high traffic areas, to all-glass systems for unobstructed views, and even curved sliding doors for elegant entrances.
Key Card or Mobile Entry Systems
Managing secure entry with key cards or mobile entry systems will be integral for facility managers to monitor access to areas within their buildings. With heightened concerns around adjust- ing capacity to allow for the required social distance in spaces like lobbies, elevators and conference rooms, understanding and tracking not only how people move about the building, but also which areas are “hot spots” for activity, is critical to upholding occupant health and safety.
Key cards and mobile entry systems are easy to use and allow for access to multiple areas with a single card. Additionally, with the ability to grant and remove access rights remotely, facility managers can control access as remote workforces return to work in various shifts and in different numbers.
Hands-free Arm and Foot Pulls
Now more than ever budgets are tight, but facility managers need to take urgent action to retrofit existing hardware to dra- matically reduce skin-to-surface touch points, like door handles and pulls for bathrooms, entrances and offices, as populations begin to return to work and public spaces.
Hands-free arm and foot door pulls are cost-effective options for low-touch door operation for both pre-existing and new open- ings.
Push/pull hardware enables occupants to open doors with a nudge of the hip. Arm and foot pulls offer a method of open- ing doors without grasping hardware by the hand. Best of all, these hands-free solutions can be quickly and easily retrofitted in existing buildings. In addition, they support ADA standards and regulations to ensure all openings remain accessible to everyone.
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