COVID-19 has changed a lot of how we interact in public spaces, how conscious we are of social distance and sanitization procedures in businesses, and how we socialize with family and friends in our private spaces. It has been a hard year for many businesses in many ways- physical traffic has been limited due to city and state-wide shutdowns, and businesses have been required to invest in measures to keep high traffic surfaces sanitized and patrons masked and socially distanced.
Whether it’s a restaurant, a paint shop or a grocery store, businesses have had to become more aware of how dirty certain surfaces like door knobs, handles and plates can become in just a few hours. It’s hard to constantly sanitize doors and simultaneously deal with customers and patrons, and while you can’t eliminate all these measures with automation technology and alternate types of door hardware, you can make it easier on your employees and safer for your customers.
Automated Door Openers for Exterior & Interior Use
Automating the points of entry that you can is an investment in moving your business forward with this new world we live in. The pandemic may be over soon as new vaccines become available to the public, but we can’t count on this being the last viral epidemic we’ll see in our lifetimes. Automating your public doors with motion sensors and motorized openers is a smart way to eliminate hundreds of hands touching a door, and can also prevent those gross fingerprints that occur on glass doors as people push them open throughout the day. Additionally, automating your private or employee-only entrance points with products like touchless digital card readers keeps your employees safer and also improves security.
Antimicrobial Door Knobs & Other Commercial Hardware
Other commercial door hardware products available include antimicrobial door handle covers or coatings, as well as traditional knobs and plates made of antimicrobial metals like brass or copper. This way you can alter doors that you may not be able to automate because of cost or purpose, like a swinging door in a restaurant kitchen or a public restroom. You can also extend this idea of automation or self-cleaning hardware into your business’ restroom sinks and soap dispensers.
While these options may not stop your employees from having to manually sanitize surfaces on a regular basis, it can definitely lighten the load, and is an investment in a future where we are more aware of how the ways we interact can put ourselves and others at risk of infection.
Other COVID Health & Safety Suggestions for Businesses
There are other ways you can make the high-touch surfaces at your business safer. And it’s not just your exterior doors and interior doors; it’s things like stairwell railings, front desks, conference rooms, and waiting rooms. Along with automating your doors and gates, and/or installing antimicrobial hardware for commercial doors, some other ways you can keep your employees and your customers safe are:
- Create a comprehensive checklist of each surface that should be disinfected and when.
- Install air curtains in doorways to reduce cross-contamination and increase ventilation.
- Consider alternate forms of disinfecting door hardware, such as targeted UV rays or LED blue light.
- Disinfect everything each time someone is reported to have tested positive for COVID.
- Make sure your employees are all on the same page about cleaning practices.
And never forget: cleaning is not the same as disinfecting. Whatever solution you use, make sure it specifically states that it kills viruses and bacteria.
Using The Right Disinfectant Matters
Disinfectants can indeed be damaging to storefront glass doors and handles if not chosen or used carefully. Certain products contain harsh chemicals that can corrode or etch the glass surface. This can deal a lot of damage if it’s not tempered or treated to resist such chemicals. Abrasive cleaning tools or materials, like steel wool or rough scrubbing pads, can scratch the glass or metal surfaces. This will further damage your commercial door’s appearance and structural integrity.
To prevent damage to commercial glass doors and handles, it’s crucial to use appropriate cleaning products and methods. Start by selecting a glass door cleaner specifically designed for commercial or storefront glass. These cleaners are formulated to be gentler on glass surfaces while removing bacteria. Avoid cleaners with ammonia or abrasive components if possible.
When cleaning, use a soft, lint-free cloth or microfiber towel to wipe down the glass and handles gently. Avoid applying excessive pressure, as this can lead to scratches. For stubborn stains or residues, you can dampen the cloth with the glass cleaner and allow it to sit for a few minutes before gently wiping.
Contact a Professional Commercial Door Installer for Help
SACS DOOR & GATE can provide consultation and quotes for these types of commercial door hardware replacements and will install your new hardware in a timely and quality manner, so if you’re looking for a more long-term or permanent solution to sanitizing your high traffic door hardware, call 916-489-5043 for more information today.