The decision to select the most practical door for your tech or pharma facility extends beyond the Ann Arbor rolling steel vs. high-speed door cost. Energy-efficient commercial doors for laboratory cleanrooms also require an air exchange rate that minimizes contamination and air pressure fluctuations.
For Pharma/Clean Tech
The Ann Arbor tech, laboratory cleanrooms, and pharma industries require an additional layer of protection against the elements. Air contamination is an ongoing concern, but weather extremes also contribute to environmental issues. Depending on your priorities, you may be considering two options: high-speed doors and rolling steel doors.
They each have benefits, but let’s take a look at which one might work best for your unique requirements.
High-Speed Doors
High-speed doors offer superior high-cycle capabilities, environmental sealing, and climate control features.
Air exchange rate: High-speed doors open or close up to 100 inches per second, significantly reducing the opportunity for contamination and regulating interior air pressure and temperature fluctuations.
Sanitation: Hygienic materials, such as stainless steel and specialized PVC, are easy to clean.
Workflow efficiency: The speed at which high-speed doors operate means there’s essentially no wait time for entry or exit.
Rolling Steel Doors
While rolling steel doors provide excellent security benefits, they may not be the most practical choice for a pharma or cleanroom application.
Operational speed: With each use, rolling steel doors stay open considerably longer than their high-speed counterparts, creating sanitation, temperature, and air pressure challenges.
Sanitation: The structure and surface of a rolling steel door are harder to sanitize than the high-speed alternatives, which trap contaminants.
For General Warehousing
The choice between standard rolling steel or high-speed door is dependent on warehousing needs.
Standard rolling steel provides exceptional exterior durability, fire protection, and security for low-traffic areas. However, in high-traffic, fast-paced logistics warehouses, particularly those requiring climate control, high-speed doors are the preferred option.
The “Hidden” Feature
The self-repairing zipper technology used in high-speed door construction allows the material to automatically repair itself upon impact. Unlike its steel counterpart, if a forklift accidentally hits the self-repairing door, there’s zero downtime waiting for repair. The zipper technology also creates an excellent seal for preventing air loss and maintaining temperature control.
Energy Efficiency
Michigan winters are brutal. A slower rolling door lets out a massive amount of heat. Conversely, the high-speed option protects against the harsh climate by minimizing the amount of time the opening is exposed to the elements. A high-speed door pays for itself in HVAC savings alone in two to three years.
Optimizing Your Facility with the Right Door Solution
Reach out to a knowledgeable member of our team to help you make an informed decision on the most practical warehouse doors for your tech or pharma facility.
Contact us at Overhead Door of Ann Arbor by completing our online form. In addition to rolling steel and high-speed doors, we offer a full range of commercial doors, products, and services, including Rytec door repair. Our extensive selection of commercial applications serves a broad spectrum of industries, such as food and beverage, healthcare, and parking garages.
Image credit: // Shutterstock // DifferR
