Apex Strip Curtains & Doors has developed a range of products suited to various applications that comply with all relevant safety, health, environment and quality standards. Each product range can be customised to suit specific opening requirements based on a number of predetermined factors such as productivity, environmental control and employee comfort. The company’s products have contributed significantly to improved SHEQ standards in numerous manufacturing facilities throughout South Africa. Wim Dessing, Managing Director of Apex Strip Curtains & Doors, says that correct product selection and application is essential for customers to gain the maximum advantage in terms of SHEQ compliance.

Apex SR 9000 insulated impact traffic doors are available in a choice of six colours and combine functionality with longevity in areas where the movement of pedestrians and goods is particularly high. The door is manufactured from a 3 mm ABS skin that retains its physical properties down to temperatures of –40°C, making it ideal for use in walk-in cold rooms. The low maintenance skin is impervious to moisture, acids, petroleum products, animal fats, rodents, insects and salt solutions.

The door’s insulation characteristics are enhanced further by the internal design elements. These include the injection of a high density, non CFC urethane foam into the hollow shell of the door. Standard vision panels constructed from 3 mm clear polycarbonate sheeting are available in a number of custom sizes. Additional features include scratch resistance and UBC compatibility for enhanced visibility. Apex SCP traffic doors provide easy access without the high wear problems typically associated with busy environments. The wooden core of the door panels is 18 mm thick and is covered with a full height high pressure laminate adhered to both sides. The laminate is available in a number of attractive colours to complement any interior. The 0.9 mm stainless steel edging is welded and polished on corner joints. Together with flush, scratch resistant acrylic vision panels and 0.5 m or 1 m high stainless steel impact plates, these features create a classic finish. The hidden hinge has been engineered to provide smooth operation over many years of service. The mounting system has been designed to strengthen the door jamb and is offered in a range of attractive materials and décor options.

The specially formulated material used for Apex Welding and Safety Screens incorporates a heavy duty ultra violet light absorber that ensures dangerous UV radiation is contained safely in the curtained off area, protecting workers in close proximity. Apex Welding and Safety Screens are also impervious to burning, which is particularly important should the material come into contact with welding splatter.

Although the screens effectively close off the welding and grinding areas, the patented Balledge® design on the individual strips facilitates easy access for both personnel and equipment. Available in several configurations to suit individual applications, the most popular version is a free standing frame that facilitates both easy handling and portability. The angled feet of the screen allow for optimum utilisation of the floor space as screens can be butted together at 90° angles. Extensive tests conducted by the South African Bureau of Standards have proved that the Apex Welding and Safety Screen material is superior to conventional material. Tested for UV light transmittance, the conventional material gave readings of 0.005%, 0.008% and 5% as opposed to the Apex readings of 0.005%, 0.001% and 0.005%. When tested for total visible light transmittance, the tests were conclusive: the conventional material allowed 78% while the Apex material allowed only 15.5% light transmittance.

An example of SHEQ compliance in terms of Apex High Speed Doors is the inclusion of a proximity sensor. This ensures that these high speed doors will not accidentally close while a vehicle or person is positioned in the open doorway. In instances where doors need to be opened for short periods of time to allow the passage of vehicles, the Apex Traffic High Speed Door is the best option.

This door is ideal for outdoor access applications in shipment areas and warehouses. Available in sizes up to 8 000 mm wide and 8 500 mm high, the door is a robust and aesthetically pleasing solution for medium and large entrances. The electronic units of the Apex Traffic and Sector High Speed Doors comply with all International Electrotechnical Commission regulations and can be activated by any type of remote control equipment including photocells, pressure sensitive mats, movement detectors or induction loops.

Designed and engineered with durability and longevity in mind, the Apex Traffic High Speed Door can resist winds of up to 50 km/h. A custom model which can withstand winds up to 90 km/h is also available. In addition, the material of construction is a strong self-extinguishing Class 2 fabric with excellent thermal insulation properties and the supporting structure is made from high quality galvanised steel. Where visibility is an issue, vision windows can be incorporated into the panels.

Apex Strip Curtains & Doors has ensured that installation is quick and easy by incorporating all the electrical drive gear and a special mechanical counterbalancing system within the support structure. To facilitate safety, the door is fitted with a release lever that opens it from either side in the event of a power failure or malfunction.

The fast acting Sector High Speed Door uses the same exclusive counterbalancing system as the Traffic door, and also has an extension spring activated by a release lever to facilitate semi-automatic re-opening. This door is compact, structurally flexible and has interchangeable transparent or coloured panels.