Making Sense of Automation

Low-energy operated doors allow individuals with limited mobility to access or exit a building more  easily. For a successful installation, a technician must account for  building codes, industry-standard safety practices, and the needs of the facility. Join us as we speak with Mike Knowlton, President of  Paradise Doors. We’ll discuss common requests, balancing functionality  with demands and breakdown of security & egress applications.

Topics Covered Include:

• Difference between Power-Assist, Low Energy & Full Power Operators
• How to balance the functionality & building code requirements of low-energy operated doors
• Breakdown of Security & Means of Egress Applications

In this bonus episode, hosted by Pittsburgh Robotics Network, Tim Chiappetta, VP of Business Development at BEA Sensors Americas, interviews Jim Rock, CEO of Seegrid Corporation about the victories and challenges of creating a successful business, expanding into new markets and building an innovative culture within a company.

Join these industry experts as they examine how to determine market fit, why culture leads business growth and the value of customers driving R&D in a marketplace guided by problem-solving and automated technology.

Whether in a fast-paced environment or utilizing heavy equipment or accessing points in a secure location, we're faced with potential dangers. Codes and standards exist to help protect pedestrians and these types of settings from unnecessary harm.

Join UL's Steve Kuscsik as we discuss the UL 325 standard and entrapment protection requirements. We will break down this standard and the intricate safety aspects to help you navigate in the field.

Topics covered include:

• Understanding entrapment zones and entrapment protection for gate operators
• When is external entrapment protection required?
• A look into the different tests required to receive UL recognition

Whether in a fast-paced environment or utilizing heavy equipment or accessing points in a secure location, we're faced with potential dangers. Codes and standards exist to help protect pedestrians and these types of settings from unnecessary harm.

Join UL's Steve Kuscsik as we discuss the UL 325 standard and entrapment protection requirements. We will break down this standard and the intricate safety aspects to help you navigate in the field.

Topics covered include:

• What is a Standard, and what does UL 325 cover?
• The three areas of entrapment protection for residential garage door operators
• Smart technology & unattended operation for residential garage door openers
• The mounting height of a photo-eye for residential or commercial overhead garage doors
• Why monitored external entrapment devices are required for commercial door operators

Laws, building codes and standards shape how safe and efficient industries operate. But it can get confusing when trying to decipher the difference and the implications of each. For industrial doors and commercial gates, UL 325 and the International Building Code play a crucial role in determining best practices when completing an installation.

Join us as Jeff Dunham, BEA’s Codes & Standards Manager guides us through the nuances and necessity of standards and building codes for industrial doors and commercial gates.

Topics covered include:

• Basic understanding of building codes and standards
• Review of prevailing or legally binding document(s)
• Breakdown explaining installation height of photo eyes
• Why the placement of a gate opener is a safety concern

Automatic pedestrian doors provide access control, improve accessibility and traffic flow, provide convenience, and assist in energy costs. But there's more to it than choosing and installing the right door system.  Andrew Anderson, an AAADM-Certified Inspector at Roy C., Inc., will  walk us through how to maintain a door for long-term operation and industry-standard safety practices.

Topics covered include applying A156.10 and A156.19, inspecting with a safety-first mindset and setting up the end user for success.

With carriers arriving at the loading dock, forklifts driving through overhead doors, and pedestrians navigating safe walking areas, a warehouse or distribution facility functions on non-stop activity. There are safety training, malfunctioning doors, and inclement weather too. Join us as we examine challenges in warehouse facilities.

Topics covered include:

• How COVID-19 has impacted daily operations
• Why constant training and accountability is necessary for high-paced environments
• The need for a safety-first mindset

Technology varies in sensing automation, from infrared to microwave to LASER-based Time-of-Flight. It can be challenging to keep up with the nuances and ideal applications for each. Microwave motion technology is commonly used in food distribution, car dealerships and pharmaceutical clean rooms, to name a few. Join us and our guest, Jim Cavers, as we discuss how to train employees and combat interferences of microwave motion technology.

Topics covered include:

• Terminology for commercial overhead doors
• Different ways to use motion sensors in industrial settings
• What to consider before installing sensors

From the public entrance to operating rooms, healthcare workers, patients and visitors use automatic doors to navigate the facility. Michelle, a healthcare practitioner, joins us to discuss how her daily routine has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic and automatic door challenges commonly found in hospitals.

Topics covered include:

• Different types of safety and security measures implemented since COVID-19
• How daily routines have changed in hospitals
• Why short-term changes could lead to permanent protocols

Join BEA’s field experts as they interview guests and dive deep into the world of automation. Our podcast offers listeners insider access and an opportunity to learn about the challenges and resources in automated technology. From retail, healthcare and industrial environments, Making Sense of Automation gives a refreshing take on how automation impacts our daily lives, from pedestrian & equipment safety to energy savings and convenience.