20 Oct A Complete Guide to Automatic High Speed Doors
It’s 7am on a Monday and the warehouse is already a hive of activity. Pallets are stacked for dispatch and your team is ready to meet the first collection slot. The only thing holding you back now is a sluggish door, keeping your crew waiting.
Even small delays at loading bays can snowball fast, adding minutes to every trip, resulting in missed deadlines and frustrated staff.
High-speed doors are a simple upgrade that keeps your operation running smoothly, making a huge impact on productivity and safety in warehouses, logistics hubs and industrial sites.
In this guide, we’ll explore what high-speed doors are, how they work, and why they are an essential upgrade to your operation.
What is a high-speed door?
High-speed doors are specialist industrial doors designed for rapid opening and closing. They are built for environments that demand high levels of efficiency, safety, and hygiene.
Key features:
- Materials: Durable PVC or insulated panels designed for frequent operation.
- Design: Engineered to withstand heavy traffic and constant usage.
- Common Environments: Warehouses, logistics hubs, cold storage facilities, cleanrooms, and food or pharmaceutical production areas.
High-speed doors are engineered to optimise workflow without compromising safety or environmental control.
Key benefits of high-speed doors
Beyond their innovative design, high-speed doors deliver a range of benefits that directly improve performance and safety across your facility. Here’s a closer look at the advantages they offer:
Operational efficiency
High-speed doors open and close quickly, reducing downtime and keeping goods moving efficiently through warehouses and production areas.
Energy savings
By limiting the exchange of heat or cold air, these doors reduce energy loss in winter and maintain consistent temperatures in refrigerated or climate-controlled spaces.
Safety
Equipped with advanced sensors and visibility features, high-speed doors reduce the risk of accidents and collisions, ensuring safe movement of staff and machinery.
Hygiene and environmental control
In industries like food production, pharmaceuticals, and cleanrooms, high-speed doors help maintain controlled environments, reducing the risk of contamination.
Durability
Compared with traditional roller shutters, high-speed doors are built to withstand frequent use without compromising performance, making them a long-term investment for busy facilities.
Applications in warehousing and industrial facilities
High-speed doors are the ideal solution for multiple site types. Their flexibility means they offer speed, safety, or temperature control in any setting. Here are the different industries that find them a valuable addition to their sites:
Warehouses
Streamline goods movement, reduce bottlenecks, and improve workflow efficiency.
Cold storage and food production
Support temperature regulation and maintain hygienic conditions essential for perishable goods.
Pharmaceuticals and healthcare
Control contamination and maintain sterile environments for sensitive products.
Retail and logistics
Enhance speed and reliability in busy distribution centres and retail fulfilment operations.
High-speed doors can be tailored to meet the unique demands of each sector, improving operational outcomes across the board.
How high-speed doors enhance efficiency in warehouses
A forklift waiting for a slow door isn’t just losing a few minutes. It’s holding up the next delivery, the next dispatch, and the people behind it. High-speed doors solve that head-on, minimising the time required for doors to open and close, so that staff, vehicles and stock can move without interruption.
By cutting down wasted time and keeping traffic flowing, your team can focus on getting orders out on time and keeping customers happy.
Maintaining high-speed doors for long-term performance
To get the most from your investment, regular maintenance is essential. Key areas to check include:
- Motors and drive systems
- Door seals and panels
- Safety sensors and control systems
At RDS, we offer planned maintenance packages to keep doors working at their best, helping facilities stay safe, compliant, and efficient year-round.
Why choose RDS for high-speed doors?
At RDS, we have over 40 years of experience in industrial door solutions, working alongside warehouse managers, facilities teams and security leads across every sector.
Whether you run a chilled distribution centre or a high-volume logistics hub, we understand how the right door is an essential strategic investment to ensure your business runs smoothly. Our range of doors covers every application and we’re here to help you select the right solution for your site’s unique needs.
To discover solutions tailored for your business needs, or for more information about our installation or maintenance services, don’t hesitate to get it touch with our expert team today.