The Most Common Access Doors You Can Find in Commercial and Industrial Buildings

Modern buildings and facilities require access doors for various reasons, but more importantly, maintenance. It is an indispensable installation necessary to comply with current building regulations and codes. These doors are typically versatile to better suit their environment and location within the building's structure.

Since it needs to adapt to the conditions of the location, access doors come in many variations. They all differ in material compositions, features, and dimensions to better serve their purpose. It can be challenging if you are a potential buyer who would want to purchase some for your commercial or industrial building if you don't know what to look for in an access door.

Here are some standard access doors that you can find in a commercial or industrial setting:

General Purpose Access Doors

This door type is the most common type you can utilize in a building. It has many variations, but the feature that sets it apart is that you can install it in most surface areas for wall and ceiling applications. You can set it up on drywall, plaster, brick, tile, or other smooth surfaces. 

The installation is straightforward with a design to provide optimum clearance. An excellent example of these products are drywall access doors and panels, which you can find in most modern commercial establishments as the wall and ceiling materials fit the needs of the building.

Airtight and Watertight Doors

These access doors are ideal for spaces or buildings requiring space containment or keeping items in or out to preserve a specified temperature or environment. It is usually in medical institutions such as laboratories, hospitals, or confinement units. This type must go through and pass water and air infiltration tests. 

It comes standard in various dimensions and corrosion-resistant materials, with choices to suit your needs, mainly looks. If you require practicality, this door often comes with a fully welded door and frame, a continuous bulb trim gasket, and a continuous piano hinge. With minimal breaches, air penetration is less than 0.01 cubic feet per minute/square foot at 15.05 pounds/square foot.

Fire Rated Access Doors

Fire-rated access doors occur in a wide range of variations. However, all have a similar feature: they're all fire-resistant. Fire-rated models must have a certification stating that they will perform as designed in the event of a fire. You can utilize it on walls and ceilings, and are available in various material properties and sizes and unique aesthetic possibilities.

There are also versions of fire-rated doors that you may utilize on the various systems running underneath your commercial floor tiles. These doors are excellent for instances where you might need immediate access to the floor beneath for equipment transfer, installation, or inspection. It would be best to ask an expert about it for further details.

Security Access Doors

Consider adding security entry doors if your business needs added protection. These are ideal for buildings such as correctional facilities, pawnshops, administrative structures, casinos, banks, and health care or medical institutions that require more protection while also allowing staff to perform inspection and maintenance operations.

It comes in various security levels, including 14 gauge galvanneal steel with 16 gauge vertical reinforcing channel, a hidden hinge, 7/8 flange, prime coat for coating, and an automatic spring bolt type lock and key. Remember that different manufacturers have varying specifications, so it's important to double-check their product details beforehand.

Insulated Access Doors

This access door type has high insulating properties. It can take a beating from various environmental conditions and effects. It protects interior components while providing access for your maintenance staff to do their duties swiftly and safely. 

Understanding the Requirements

1. Material

For an access door to operate in some areas, its construction must be from specified material to ensure its longevity. Corrosion-resistant doors must be in places like coastal environments because they are ideal for such an environment. Knowing different material compositions may necessitate substantial expertise, so do your research or consult an expert.

2. Building Type

Installing the right access door at the place or facility where you need it installed will serve its purpose effectively. For example, hospitals' sterile rooms need airtight/watertight access doors and panels. Other types may undermine the sanitation of the room, rendering them ineffective. Make wise judgments and seek advice from a competent professional.

3. Size

Custom sizes are available from most manufacturers, but they also have many product categories if you need more options. Determine whether the door's size will accommodate the space where you will install it and whether there will be enough area to work around it. If the door is too massive, too small, or there isn't enough area to operate, your repair crew may have issues.

4. Aesthetics

Most owners would not be able to give up their aesthetics. Look for elements that complement your style when picking a door—having an access door in a location where visitors could recognize it could be inconvenient. Check the area first to see if you can integrate it with the surrounding environment without disrupting the aesthetics.

The Takeaway

You can find other access door types that might fit your building requirement by checking the websites of manufacturers or vendors. The list might be overwhelming, so ensure that you communicate your facility's needs well. Contact a competent and trustworthy expert for added inputs.

At Best Access Doors, we excel at providing high-quality products and services to our valued customers. We have categorized items for your shopping convenience and various options to ensure that you get what you need. Call us at (800) 483-0823 for your orders and questions.