Sustainable, ADA Compliant Door Control a Natural Fit for Roaring Brook Nature Center

"Having a door that operates on self-generated power helps us maintain our sustainability initiatives - we get all the benefits of a power-assisted door without the energy cost overhead. It's a win-win."

LOCATION

Roaring Brook Nature Center, Canton, CT

OBJECTIVE

Ensure that Roaring Brook Nature Center is accessible to everyone, achieves ADA compliance, and supports a sustainable philosophy.

OVERVIEW

Set back amongst the beautiful woodlands of Canton, Connecticut, the Roaring Brook Nature Center is an invaluable community and state resource of exhibits and winding trails. Hosting up to 12,000 visitors per year, the center offers nature classes for local school children, Scout programs, and corporations. Its mission is simple: to increase awareness, appreciation, and knowledge of the natural world while also encouraging a deeper understanding of the interrelationships between people and the changing environment.

THE CHALLENGE

Ensuring the center, its exhibits, and nature classes are accessible to everyone is paramount to the team at Roaring Brook.

The center recently completed the renovation of its main facility, which included a large focus on its entryway doors – a high-traffic area. Katelyn Stryeski, Roaring Brook Nature Center Manager, wanted to make sure that "everyone had proper access to the facility and that their time at the center was as enjoyable as possible".

A handicap access ramp was constructed at the main entrance, and Stryeski needed a door operator that was both compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and energy-efficient. As a registered community facility, the center had a limited budget for updates; therefore, both short- and long-term cost efficiencies had to be considered. Just as important was the need for more environmentally-friendly building products.

THE SOLUTION

As one of the world’s only regenerative power door operators, the Norton Rixson 5800 Series operator was the perfect solution for Roaring Brook Nature Center. Its heavy-duty durability made it ideal for the main entrance of the facility, which experiences moderate traffic levels. It provides the right levels of adjustable opening and closing forces to meet ADA requirements.

The innovative regenerative power system integrated into the door operator eliminates the need for electrical power at the door. The onboard battery unit stores the energy created when the door is manually opened. That stored power is there when needed to open the door automatically via a wireless push button by the side of the door.

“Installing the Norton Rixson 5800 Series operator on our main entrance doors has been a game-changer for Roaring Brook Nature Center. Our ability to now welcome and accommodate all visitors will have a positive impact on the entire community," says Stryesk. “Having a door that operates on self-generated power also helps us maintain our sustainability initiatives – we get all the benefits of a power-assisted door without the energy cost overhead. It’s a win-win.”

Benefits of the 5800 Series door operator

• GreenCircle® certified to reduce energy consumption by up to 100%
• Easy to install and operate
• Ideal for retrofit applications
• Regenerative power door operator for moderate to high traffic areas

Interested in learning more about our 5800 Series door operator? Check out our interactive product page here.