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Commercial Door Entrapment Protection Devices and Sensing Edges Explained
Sensing edges are an approved entrapment protection device for commercial doors and grilles. Designed to detect obstructions, the sensing edge sends a signal to your door’s operator, preventing it from closing and the entrapment device reverses the unit.
Commercial doors should have a constant pressure button or at least one monitored entrapment protection device to meet minimum standards. However, additional devices might be needed depending on the application to provide additional safety. If the entrapment protection device fails, the secondary device will take over.
● Wireless Sensing/Weather Edge Seal – Used in conjunction with a monitored (ELR) sensing edge.
● Photo Eyes – NEMA 4x or 1 photo eye sensors.
● Light Curtain - Attaches to the guide offering minimal disruption and a clean look.
● Sensing/Smoke Seal Edge – Is not continuously monitored, but provides automatic reversing control through an automatic sensing switch within a neoprene or rubber astragal extending the full width of the door’s bottom bar. Can be used as a primary entrapment device.
Discover our full lineup of entrapment protection devices here.
Non-monitored devices are usually found on pre-UL 325 2010 operators, before the new standards were set. You can still find non-monitored sensing edges paired with a primary monitored sensor. If the entrapment device fails, the unit will revert to constant pressure even if the sensing edge still works.
● Monitored sensing edge: With this system, the operator's electronics check the system frequently to make sure that the device is connected and functioning properly. If the operator detects a device or wiring fault, the door will revert back to constant pressure.
● Non-monitored sensing edge: Because the sensors don’t communicate with the operator, it may or may not detect faults and won’t revert to constant pressure.
If your operator was manufactured before Aug. 29, 2010, then additional entrapment devices may or may not be required for units produced prior to the date. So, you’ll install a non-monitored photo eye, non-monitored sensing edge, or a combination of both.
If your operator was manufactured on or after Aug. 9, 2010, then your door must include at least one monitored external entrapment device or constant pressure on door closing. This will be a monitored photo eye, monitored sensing edge, or a combination of one monitored device plus secondary non-monitored devices.
It’s important to have a good understanding of entrapment protection devices and sensing edges to give customers the safest setup for their facility. These devices work to detect obstacles and signal door operators to prevent accidents.
Meeting and going beyond industry standards.
UL325 2010 regulations require that commercial doors be equipped with either a constant or momentary pressure to open/close button or be linked to a monitored device for short-term contact. So, users either need to manually push a button until the door closes, or use an automatic button, switch, or remote.Commercial doors should have a constant pressure button or at least one monitored entrapment protection device to meet minimum standards. However, additional devices might be needed depending on the application to provide additional safety. If the entrapment protection device fails, the secondary device will take over.
Primary and Secondary Entrapment Protection Devices
Primary entrapment devices include photo eyes, sensing edges (you can have a wireless edge kit that is not a primary entrapment device), and ELR electric sensing edges. Secondary devices can be combined with photo eyes or with constant pressure to close operation. Some entrapment devices can be implemented as in a primary or secondary capacity in the configuration.Cookson Primary Entrapment Protection Devices
● ELR Electric Sensing Edge – Requires a physical connection between the bottom bar sensing edge device and the motor operator.● Wireless Sensing/Weather Edge Seal – Used in conjunction with a monitored (ELR) sensing edge.
● Photo Eyes – NEMA 4x or 1 photo eye sensors.
● Light Curtain - Attaches to the guide offering minimal disruption and a clean look.
Cookson Secondary Entrapment Protection Devices
● Electric Sensing Edge with Wireless Edge Kit – Eliminates the need for a physical traveling electric cord connection between the bottom bar sensing edge device and the motor operator. Can be also be used as a primary entrapment device.● Sensing/Smoke Seal Edge – Is not continuously monitored, but provides automatic reversing control through an automatic sensing switch within a neoprene or rubber astragal extending the full width of the door’s bottom bar. Can be used as a primary entrapment device.
Discover our full lineup of entrapment protection devices here.
Sensing edge configurations: Monitored vs Non-monitored.
Sensing edges are available in two different configurations, either monitored or non-monitored.Non-monitored devices are usually found on pre-UL 325 2010 operators, before the new standards were set. You can still find non-monitored sensing edges paired with a primary monitored sensor. If the entrapment device fails, the unit will revert to constant pressure even if the sensing edge still works.
● Monitored sensing edge: With this system, the operator's electronics check the system frequently to make sure that the device is connected and functioning properly. If the operator detects a device or wiring fault, the door will revert back to constant pressure.
● Non-monitored sensing edge: Because the sensors don’t communicate with the operator, it may or may not detect faults and won’t revert to constant pressure.
Deciding on your entrapment device configuration.
Determining the configuration for entrapment devices varies based on when your operator was manufactured.
If your operator was manufactured before Aug. 29, 2010, then additional entrapment devices may or may not be required for units produced prior to the date. So, you’ll install a non-monitored photo eye, non-monitored sensing edge, or a combination of both.
If your operator was manufactured on or after Aug. 9, 2010, then your door must include at least one monitored external entrapment device or constant pressure on door closing. This will be a monitored photo eye, monitored sensing edge, or a combination of one monitored device plus secondary non-monitored devices.
It’s important to have a good understanding of entrapment protection devices and sensing edges to give customers the safest setup for their facility. These devices work to detect obstacles and signal door operators to prevent accidents.
Make safety a priority! Contact our support team for help with entrapment protection devices and sensing edges to ensure the most secure setup for your customers.
