One of the UK’s leading food and confectionery manufacturers relies upon a pair of Stertil FlexiEdge fast-action doors to provide access to a fork truck drivers training facility and a stores area within its manufacturing and distribution complex in York.

The new Stertil doors replaced two existing solid sliding doors that were not only heavy and cumbersome but also difficult to open and close. By contrast, the new Stertil FlexiEdge M2P doors, which measure 3800mm wide x 4300mm high, are lightweight, durable and easy to operate.

Stertil’s FlexiEdge range comprises 16 models of many different types and styles including internal and external doors, all-weather doors, cleanroom and freezer/coldroom doors plus emergency exit doors incorporating breakthrough curtains. Standard models are available in widths up to 11 metres and heights of 5.5 metres whilst bespoke and special sizes may be specified. Also, the range provides standard travel speeds up to 2.7 metres per second (opening) and 1.2 metres per second (closing) to shorten work cycles and increase productivity.

The door curtain is fully flexible with a soft bottom edge which not only self-adjusts to seal on an uneven floor but also avoids any possibility of causing injury to users. In addition, the incorporation of an infra-red photocell, fitted 300mm above floor level, supported by a bottom edge wireless detector ensures instant halting of all door movement in the event of sensing an obstruction of any kind. Also, the flexible soft-edge curtain provides maximum resistance to damage caused by a vehicle collision. If the door edges are knocked out by the collision, they are automatically re-inserted in the side guides as the door opens.

A wide range of activation systems allows maximum versatility of FlexiEdge doors in many different applications. Alternatives to the standard push button pads include wired and wireless pull cords, key switches, induction loops, photocells, radar, radio or infra-red transmitters, presence detectors and touchless hand-wave detectors. Depending on the particular requirements of individual applications, the most appropriate activation method may be specified to ensure that the doors may be used intensively, minimising ‘open time’ and meeting the needs of the busiest high traffic areas. Importantly, by minimising the time that the doors are open, internal temperatures are maintained and expensive energy consumption is avoided.

The incorporation of top quality materials, including galvanised steel for structural strength allied to reinforced polyethylene side guides, ensures that FlexEdge fast-action doors provide excellent performance and reliability in the most demanding applications and environments. Furthermore, a hi-tech manufacturing process involves the insertion of reinforced polyester within a PVC sandwich to produce a high strength yet lightweight door curtain. Many of these may also be specified to incorporate company names, logos and other types of corporate branding.

“Our innovative range of FlexiEdge fast-action doors is relied upon by countless companies and organisations throughout the UK,” says Andy Georgiou, general manager of Stertil Door Products. “Many industrial, commercial and retail businesses have recognised the flexibility of the range and we are experiencing unprecedented demand. Also, because our FlexiEdge doors are now available on a £90 per month leasing deal, they are not only extremely versatile but also hugely affordable.”