Accessibility
Barrier-free comfort - we have the right solutions!
Accessible product solutions for doors
Why accessibility?
Demographic change brings new challenges for the building industry and forces an intensive focus on the trend topic of accessibility. Research assumes that at least 2.5 million additional barrier-free flats will be needed by 2030 - with currently approx. 600,000 "age-appropriate barrier-free adapted" flats out of a total of approx. 11 million senior households. In addition, an increase from currently approx. 2.6 million people in need of care to 4.7 million in 2060 is predicted, whereby the majority - about 70 percent - currently live in normal flats.
Therefore, accessibility must become more and more self-evident, because it benefits everyone: People with and without disabilities, senior citizens, children, parents and people who are only temporarily restricted in their mobility. About 10 percent of the population are absolutely dependent on accessibility, a considerable 30 to 40 percent need accessibility as a basic aid in everyday life, and for all of them accessibility is simply comfortable. It is therefore important to have a built environment without obstacles in which all people can move and orient themselves as safely and independently as possible.
Barrier-free door planning
Architects, planners and tradespeople are the first port of call when it comes to planning and implementing barrier-free buildings or reducing barriers in existing buildings. However, there are challenges of various kinds. For example, the implementation of DIN 18040 for barrier-free building and its integration into building law has taken place in different ways in the individual federal states, so that there are different regulations for achieving barrier-free buildings in different states.
In addition, several institutions for barrier-free construction may be eligible for funding for barrier-free conversions in specific care cases. Barrier-free measures, such as removing door thresholds, widening doors or automating doors, can be created via care insurance funds or KfW subsidies for age-appropriate conversions.
Barrier-free door planning
As part of an “accessibility concept”, door planning is of particular importance and must therefore be taken into account at an early stage when planning new buildings. However, even when planning existing buildings, homes must be designed to be barrier-free in accordance with state building regulations.
athmer offers barrier-free solutions for every door application to enable independent and comfortable living into old age.
Certified safety around the door
Barrier-free product solutions
Our products are the result of many years of experience, professional competence and high quality standards - which we regularly check. The sealing systems Schall-Ex®, Stadi, Doppeldicht® and Kältefeind® are DIN CERTCO certified according to DIN 18040. In addition, the ift-Rosenheim confirms that athmer seals as well as finger protection systems meet the requirements for the permissible operating forces for barrier-free doors according to DIN EN 12217 Doors - Operating forces - Requirements and classification.
Our products for different requirements
For manual doors, securing of the secondary closing edges is recommended in order to exclude hazards due to crushing, shearing and retraction.
Finger protection systems for doors - without crushing & shearing points
Every day, unnecessary accidents occur at doors that are not or insufficiently secured. Particularly in the context of barrier-free construction, DIN 18040 requires that doors must be safe to pass through. With athmer finger protection systems, fingers can be effectively prevented from becoming trapped between the door leaf and frame, thus making doors barrier-free.
athmer finger protection systems include various solutions for closing edge protection of the hinge and counter hinge side and the main shooting edge, both as original equipment and for retrofitting. They are suitable for internal and external doors and can be retrofitted. For years now, finger protection systems have been providing numerous planners, fabricators and building operators with added value in terms of reliable safety, e.g. in kindergartens, schools, public buildings or hospitals and care facilities.
athmer finger protection is suitable for use on fire and smoke protection doors, hygienically tested and also TÜV/GS-tested in accordance with EN 16654.
Opening restrictors avoid danger points due to door stops on the floor.
Door opening restrictors are barrier-free helpers in confined spaces
Door stops screwed to the floor are used wherever the door is to be prevented from swinging open too far. In the context of barrier-free construction, it is precisely such floor door stops that represent possible tripping hazards.
Therefore, an opening restrictor mounted on the door element should be used, where the opening angle can be set flexibly. In confined spaces, unnecessary tripping hazards can be avoided.
Possible areas of application are, for example, in: hospitals and care facilities, doctors' surgeries, hotels, offices and public buildings. Furthermore, door opening restrictors are ideal alternatives in rooms with underfloor heating. This makes the screwing of door stops to the floor superfluous.
Lower door stops and thresholds are not permitted.
Drop seals avoid thresholds
With athmer drop seals, tripping hazards at door thresholds are a thing of the past. All athmer sealing systems are barrier-free - without any ifs and buts. Our zero threshold solutions for doors even fall below the requirements of the German Industrial Standard (DIN 18040). This tolerates threshold heights of up to two centimetres, even for barrier-free construction.
At athmer, however, the motto is consistently: "zero means zero! - and that with increased tightness. The specially developed release mechanisms of the athmer drop seals mean a significant increase in independence and freedom of movement for people with limited mobility, especially wheelchair users.
The optimal ease of use of doors has traditionally been at the top of the agenda in product development. Today, we are seeing that the requirements for barrier-free planning and building are moving more and more into focus. With sealing systems, door manufacturers and building owners are on the safe side when it comes to accessibility. This applies to our standard systems as well as to individual solutions that we develop with our customers. For example, innovative time-delayed seals that enable older people to open and close doors without effort against their air resistance.
Sealed sliding doors without thresholds offer safe comfort.
Barrier-free sliding doors are space-saving and protect against falls
Sliding doors, whether manually operated or automated, are very much in vogue in both the residential and commercial sectors and are the preferred access devices for use in barrier-free environments for people with disabilities. As the door leaves do not swing into the user's approach area, the risk of bumping is reduced. There is no need to avoid the opening leaf.
Sliding doors offer flexible solutions, especially in expensive living space or tight building situations such as in existing nursing homes, hospitals or hotels. However, the challenge with sliding doors, whether made of timber or glass, is to seal them all around and thus protect them from sound, draughts and odours.
athmers all-round sealing systems for sliding doors meet these requirements and offer a low barrier, tightly closing zero threshold solution. This simplifies the operation of conventional sliding doors and prevents tripping hazards. Furthermore, it is possible to automate these doors and thus make them 100% barrier-free.
