In engineering and manufacturing, operational facilities and warehouses often become heat chambers during summer, and this has become more so over the past few years as temperatures begin to increase in South Africa.

The situation is worsened because exterior doorways, often left open to allow access for people and equipment, let in hot air which is trapped in the building and re-heated by the greenhouse effect, causing excessive heat build-up.

This, Wim Dessing, managing director of Apex Strip Curtains and Doors, says can create an unpleasant working environment leading to lowered productivity.

“It’s a proven fact that a comfortable worker is a productive worker, yet many industrial managers in both large and small operations do not realise they can improve working conditions immeasurably in hot buildings by simply controlling air movement,” he says.

Dessing’s company offers a range of products that make it easy to control the working environment, and one that is proving increasingly popular is the locally manufactured SR 9000 Insulated Impact Traffic Door.

It is designed for efficient long life use in high traffic, impact-opening applications and built to withstand traffic from both pedestrians and forklifts. Fully gasketed this heavy-duty swing door opens easily and closes under its own weight. Insulated with polyurethane, this robust impact door is ideal for application where temperature control is vital, or where the ingress of dust, insects or noise must be prevented.

More importantly, Dessing explains, the door retains its physical properties in both high and low temperature environments and is impervious to moisture, acid, animal fats, insects, salt solutions and petroleum products.

The company is also well-known for its patented Balledge® strip curtains, which have proved themselves in innumerable applications in South Africa and abroad.

Dessing says strip curtains are an inexpensive way to cover a door opening to prevent the ingress of hot air yet still allow easy passage. Strips are made from specially formulated PVC that doesn’t become brittle with use and stays transparent for through-viewing and added safety.

The Balledge® on the strips make this product completely different to similar strip curtains available locally, and makes sure that strips do not snag or catch on people or goods passing through. This strengthens the actual strip and makes it far more durable. Apex Strip Curtains that were installed when the company was first established more than 28 years ago are still in use today.

An advantage is that the strip curtaining system can be retrofitted or used in greenfields installation. Specifications and advice are readily available, and Dessing says the company’s philosophy is to provide the best solution for long term, cost effective environment control.

In very high traffic installations where entrances and exits need protection from hot air, dust and dirt ingress as well as for security, fast-action roll-up and fold-up doors are the best solution.

Dessing says this is generally a more costly option than the traditional roller shutter door or strip curtaining, but it is fully automated and saves on manpower costs and improves efficiencies.

The use of high-speed doors is particularly beneficial in operations where doorways need to be opened for limited periods to facilitate the loading and unloading of vehicles. Apex has a range of high-speed doors which can be customised to fit any opening. All offer rapid automated opening and closing, as well as efficient thermal insulation and a highly effective wind barrier.

The doors are aesthetically pleasing in a range of colours, and are made from durable, flexible polyesters and PVCs. The electronic componentry is modern, compact and self-contained to allow quick and easy installation in doorways and passages.

A variety of activation options, from floor-mats to beepers, is available and all doors have a back-up emergency opening capability. Unless otherwise required, doors have a transparent panel for through-vision.

More About Apex Strip Curtains
Apex Strip Curtains is a leading manufacturer and supplier of PVC strip curtains, insulated and impact traffic swing doors, roll-up and fold-up speed doors, roller blinds and cabinet curtains for refrigerated display cabinets, and welding and safety screens.

The company’s product range is locally manufactured at specially equipped premises, where quality systems have been put in place to ensure that all specifications and tolerances are met during production. Products are custom manufactured to suit individual requirements and are used in a variety of applications, from industrial through to retail.

A network of agents throughout South Africa is able to offer excellent technical and installation support, and quick delivery times.