Access doors are a common and crucial feature in many industrial areas and factories. These access doors serve as means of entry into tanks, pipes, ducts, chambers, and more. Any specific equipment or confined space should have its access door, typically any small hinged door.
However, access doors have different classifications and features depending on their usage. Business owners need to consider what the entry should contain behind it, how convenient it should be for personnel to get through, and what pressure-safety measures are necessary.
KC Supply specializes in three classes of access doors.
Non-pressure rated access doors look similar to maintenance holes or caps. They allow access to bins and can be used for clean-outs, inspections, sampling, and more. They come in various styles and forms. For example, a cross-arm style access door flips down to close and is self-locking. A clamp-ring style access door has a clamp ring that attaches the cover to the weld ring, providing a strong seal. It’s best used for covers that aren’t opened often.
Pressure-rated access doors are specially designed to provide access to high-pressure ducts, often for inspection purposes. When not in use, they should be durable enough to contain that pressure, which is why they’re usually designed with six levers or seals that keep the cap in place. They come in carbon steel, aluminum, zinc, and other materials and have different diameters. Ensure that you select a lid that seals the gap perfectly for absolute safety.
A pressure-relieving access door should handle both positive and negative forces. Often, these are used for duct and chamber access, where safety and ventilation are the foremost concerns. They are also frequently used for food storage or food applications, so it’s crucial to select a door that has food-grade materials if to be used for this purpose.
KC Supply emphasizes that by selecting the correct type of access door for your containment, you can ensure the safety of the personnel around it and prevent any mechanical or equipment issues that could come from faulty doors.
Learn the different types of access doors and find the right one for your needs at KC Supply.