‘Button, Button, Who’s Got the Button?’ is a children’s party game from bygone days. It went like this: guests sat in a circle with their hands out, palms together. The child who is “it” pretends to place a button into each set of hands, secretly slipping it into one person’s hands, but maintaining the charade until every pair of hands is touched. Then the guests guessed, ‘”Who’s got the button?” Like the Neil Diamond song, it was “hands, touching hands” and a button, until birthday cake was served.
Touching buttons, and door handles, might become as archaic as the button game. The question becomes, not who’s got the button, but which button do you need for your application. Anderson Lock’s access control experts will recommend the best door actuators and accessories to keep everyone’s hands off the buttons that operate your doors!
In response to the focus on reducing the transmission of germs, hands-free environments are quickly becoming standard in public buildings. Touchless door activation devices are in high demand for offices, conference rooms and bathrooms.
ADA Accessibility guidelines led the introduction of pushbutton door activation devices for doors with automatic operators. Now, those pushbuttons are being upgraded to “wave-to-open” switches or RF (radio frequency) devices, which will be used by everyone, to accomplish hands-free methods of door control. Instead of pressing the button, which could lead to transfer of germs from hand to button or button to hand, a person must simply wave their hand in front of the actuator. The motion prompts the unlatching and opening of the door, avoiding any spread of germs.
Choosing the best touchless solution for your doors is not child’s play. It’s not simply asking, “Button, button, who’s got the best button?” and then scheduling an installation. Auto operators will only function if the other hardware is compatible with automatic opening. An electric strike will release a latch when signalled by an actuator. Another option is connecting to an exit device that has built-in electric latch retraction. These may require additional door accessories and power transfers to create a complete system.
This blog introduces the expanded offering of touchless actuators, transmitters and receivers from LCN, our best-selling brand of door controls. The actuators require a wired power input, but most are compatible with the 900 mHz transmitter & receiver for wireless actuation signals.
8310-810 series heavy duty touchless actuators
- Flush mounted design for sleek aesthetic
- Configurable feedback via visual & audible signals
- Available in single gang, round, and double gang mounting styles
- IP65 rated for wash-down environments
8310-813 series standard duty touchless actuators
- Flush mounted design for sleek aesthetic
- Silent activation: ideal for applications that seek to limit noise emission
- Available in black & white
- Available in single gang, double gang, jamb, and round mounting styles
8310-815 series harsh conditions touchless actuator
- IP65 rated enclosure for rugged and durable performance
- Designed for harsh environments including outdoor applications
- Customizable detection zone for flexibility and ease of use
8310-816 series close proximity touchless actuators
- Short-range detection zone reduces unwanted activation
- Flush mounted design: aesthetically pleasing and less susceptible to accidental damage
- Feedback includes an illuminated outer ring and audible signaling
And now we sing the new Neil Diamond song, “Hands Washing Hands”!