Released On 15th Aug 2024
A Guide to Wicket Doors in Roller-Shutters & Sectional Overhead Doors
Wicket doors, also known as wicket gates, are integral personnel doors set into roller-shutters or sectional overhead doors. If your building lacks a separate personnel door, wicket doors are an ideal solution, providing a convenient method of entry without the need to raise the main shutter.
This article explores the uses, benefits, installation, and safety considerations of wicket gates, particularly in industrial and commercial settings.
Uses of wicket doors
Wicket gates are very versatile; they can be incorporated into various types of doors, including roller-shutters, sectional overhead doors, and even – though less commonly – folding doors. They can be seen in any building where there’s a large aperture, such as:
- Warehouses
- Factories
- Industrial units
- Commercial units
Benefits of wicket doors
Convenience
Wicket doors offer ease of access, eliminating the need to raise the entire roller-door for foot traffic. This is particularly useful in buildings where there’s limited wall space to install a separate personnel door.
Insulation
Some companies offer wicket doors that are insulated to match the main roller-door. In our experience, however, although insulated wicket doors do help to reduce heat loss, contributing to energy efficiency, the thickness of the insulated laths can hinder the operation of the door itself. We have, in fact, on one occasion, been asked to remove an insulated door that another company installed!
Safety and Security
In the right circumstances, where no other personnel door is available, wicket doors can serve as fire exits when equipped with panic latches or push pads. They can also include external locking devices with override features for emergency external access. However, as wicket doors can sometimes be quite narrow, with a threshold that must be stepped over, they may not be suitable where large groups of people need to be safely managed out of a building (such as a retail premises), and they won't cater for the needs of wheelchair users. A chat with a fire safety consultant is recommended if you plan to use a wicket gate as a fire exit.
Cost-effective
Compared to the expense of installing a separate personal door, which might involve construction work, too, incorporating a wicket door into your roller-shutter is a cost-effective alternative.
Can be retro-fitted
Wicket doors can be retro-fitted quite easily. This involves replacing a number of the lower laths/slats of the main shutter with smaller ones to make room for the wicket door, which would then be bolted onto the existing shutter framework.
Can be inward or outward opening
When space is limited inside or out, a wicket door can be fitted to open inwards or outwards, giving you the flexibility to find a solution in an awkward or tight space.
Colour-match options
Even when retro-fitted, wicket doors can be powder-coated in any RAL colour to co-ordinate with your existing shutter for a cohesive and attractive finish.
Construction
Wicket doors are made from high-quality, precision-profiled steel sections with a welded construction. The door leaf is filled with 75mm galvanised interlocking slats that match the roller-shutter. The door is equipped with a Yale-style cylinder and rim latch.
The outer frame has two heavy-duty hinges that attach to the wall or door guide and includes a unique self-clamping cam and handle system. This allows the door and frame to be quickly hinged away from the doorway for easy operation of the roller shutter.
Operation
With roller-shutters
When installed with roller shutters, the wicket door must be pushed all the way back for the shutter to operate. The outer frame is equipped with heavy-duty hinges, pins, and a quick-release or locking action. To operate the shutter:
- Undo internal levers at the top and bottom of the wicket door.
- Pull back the door and frame assembly.
- For electronically operated doors, ensure the gate engages with a safety interlock switch. The main shutter can then be raised.
- For manually operated doors, the operator must ensure the gate is fully opened before operating the shutter.
With sectional overhead doors
This is a more straightforward operation. With sectional overhead doors, the wicket gate is designed to raise with the main door. The only requirement is to ensure the gate is securely closed before raising the sectional door.
Safety Interlock Switch
All electronically operated roller-shutters or sectional overhead doors must be fitted with a safety interlock switch. This switch ensures the main door does not open unless the wicket gate is correctly positioned, preventing potential damage to the door.
Do wicket gates have any disadvantages?
- For safety, all users must be fully trained, especially in the operation of electronically operated doors. If the wicket gate is not swung completely back, the main roller-shutter cannot be opened.
- The bottom rail on the wicket gate frame can be a trip hazard, so they are generally not suitable for wheelchair users.
- Headroom in wicket gates can sometimes be limited.
- Although wicket doors do have locks, they are not as secure as steel personnel doors set within a wall.
- Non-insulated wicket gates may allow draughts.
Installation and maintenance
Wicket gates can be installed on the left or right of the industrial shutter and come complete with a security mortice locking system.
Easy-Roll supplies and installs wicket gates in two standard sizes:
Standard Wicket Gate
- Frame size – 770mm x 1770mm
- Clear opening size – 565mm x 1605mm
Euro Wicket Gate
- Frame size – 1005mm x 2000mm
- Clear opening size – 800mm x 1830mm
It’s important that wicket gates are installed professionally, not only to ensure safe operation and complete functionality, but to comply with any product warranty.
Regular maintenance is also advisable to keep your wicket gates in good working condition for many years. As part of a typical service or maintenance inspection, Easy-Roll would check hinges and locking mechanisms, lubrication, and general wear and tear.
Easy-Roll has many years of experience and a trusted, in-house installation team. If you’re considering incorporating a wicket gate in your roller-shutter or sectional door, either new or retro-fitted, please get in touch to find out more.