Automatic sliding glass doors already bring smart, hands‑free access to busy facilities. Breakaway doors push that convenience further, adding enhanced safety and adaptability, with wider clearance and operational flexibility. In fact, many doors in high-traffic buildings may require these devices by law. What are breakaway doors, and what kind of benefits do they offer? 

What is a Breakaway Door?

A breakaway door, also known as a breakout door, is an automatic pedestrian door with an added emergency mechanism where the door panels can be pushed out from the inside. This feature has several advantages, including better safety, streamlined traffic flow, operational flexibility, and more. Breakaway systems come in partial or full configurations, giving facilities the freedom to choose the emergency‑egress solution that fits their flow and space:

• Partial Breakaway: Automatic sliding glass doors will have four panels, but, in partial breakaway doors, the two centre panels swing outwards when needed. 
• Full Breakaway: Full breakaway systems let both the inner and outer panels swing outwards, creating a wide, unobstructed exit path.

The breakaway door is opened by firmly pressing on the emergency exit bar located on the inside. Once it’s opened, it can also easily be reset by moving it back into the default position and making sure it locks onto the track. 

Breaking Down the Benefits of Breakaway Doors

Breakaway doors give high‑traffic buildings a smarter, safer, more adaptable way to manage daily activity and emergency requirements.

Compliance with Building Codes

The National Building Code of Canada states that any sliding door that provides access to a path of egress must be a breakaway door. The doors must be able to open and allow people to exit, even in the event of an emergency. Breakaway doors are built to open outwards when the exit bar is pressed, allowing for escape. 

Improved Safety

The biggest benefit of breakaway doors is safety in an emergency situation. In scenarios such as fires or power outages, automatic sliding doors may not function. However, occupants of a building must still be able to operate the doors. Breakaway panels provide a solution by swinging outwards when pressed, creating a much wider exit area and preventing serious injuries.

Streamlined Traffic Flow

In high-traffic facilities, efficient traffic flow is a priority, even during the normal course of the day. During peak times, the standard width of automatic sliding doors may not be enough to allow everyone through. Fortunately, breakaway doors can be opened up to create a wider entrance for better traffic flow, a feature that buildings such as malls or transportation hubs can take advantage of. 

Operational Flexibility

Many facilities, such as healthcare facilities and transportation hubs, depend on smooth and consistent operational efficiency and flexibility. Breakaway doors allow you to create a wider space that can handle larger pieces of equipment, patient beds, or even transportation carts. The result is increased productivity and cost savings. 

Accessibility

Automatic sliding doors already support accessible entry. Breakaway doors expand that capability with wider clearances designed for larger mobility devices or equipment that needs additional room to navigate. With a wider gap available on demand, visitors with mobility aids who may have difficulty fitting through standard doors will be able to enter easily. 

Where Are Breakaway Doors Best Used? 

Breakaway doors are very common in public buildings that experience high volumes of traffic every day. These facilities can include:

• Healthcare facilities: Hospitals, long-term care centres, and clinics where stretchers and medical equipment require wider clearances.
• Retail stores: Busy storefronts that experience constant foot traffic throughout the day.
• Malls and supermarkets: Large commercial spaces that benefit from adaptable entry widths during peak hours.
• Transportation hubs (airports, bus, or train stations, etc.)

Breakaway Door Installation and Maintenance

For breakaway doors to be their most effective, they require correct installation and regular maintenance. A licensed and experienced professional will have the tools and knowledge necessary to ensure the components are precisely aligned to ensure the panels swing outwards reliably when activated and lock in place when reset.

Additionally, regular maintenance from a professional is a necessity for any doors that face high traffic. Consistent use can lead to wear and tear on vital components, and dirt and debris may build up in hidden places, leading to mechanisms jamming or sticking when they’re needed most. A professional maintenance team will inspect all the hardware on the door for damage, clean out any dirt that has accumulated, and test the door to ensure smooth operation.

Contact Creative Door Services for the Solutions You’re Looking For

With more than 55 years of experience in our pocket, Creative Door Services knows automatic pedestrian doors with breakaway panels inside and out. Our veteran team delivers enhanced safety, improved operational efficiency, and durable performance with every door installed. Our A+ rating with the BBB, plus accreditations from the Canadian Door Institute and International Door Association, showcase our commitment to providing your facility with exceptional service. 

With 8 convenient locations in Kelowna, British Columbia; Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; Fort McMurray, Alberta; Regina, Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Winnipeg, Manitoba, our skilled teams are capable of quickly responding to requests, delivering reliable doors and maintenance services.