The long-term success of any business hinges on the quality of its equipment, but as anyone who works in an industrial sector already knows, equipment can sometimes let you down. Hinges can seize up, mechanisms can snap, and operations can come to a screeching halt, which makes regular industrial door maintenance a top priority for all businesses that aim to protect their competitive advantage.

The official advice from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is to have all industrial doors professionally serviced at least once per year, but equipment breakdowns can happen at any time, and inspecting doors on a regular basis is essential. That’s why we have put together this practical maintenance checklist to help you keep your industrial doors in the best condition in between services.

We cover all the weekly, monthly and seasonal checks that you should perform, particularly in the run up to winter, but remember – it’s always best to call in the professionals to service complex equipment and carry out urgent repairs.

Industrial Door Maintenance

Identifying and addressing small-scale problems before they become major issues will reduce equipment breakdowns and operational setbacks, but implementing a regular industrial door maintenance plan does not have to be time consuming.

There are steps that your team can take every day to extend the life of your industrial doors, so remind them to report any issues as they happen and schedule these important checks at times that do not interfere with your ongoing operations.

Weekly Checks

• Visually assess doors for any signs of recent damage, from small scuffs that will need to be monitored to deep dents that threaten the doors’ integrity.
• Inspect all moving parts of doors, such as hinges, springs and rollers, and lubricate them as needed.
• Make sure that the tracks or guides that doors move within are clear of all obstructions.

If any of your doors start to show signs of needing specialist attention, then don’t hesitate to contact a professional maintenance team to handle all repairs and replacements on your behalf.

Monthly Checks

• Inspect all parts for rust, particularly those that are exposed to the elements, and take this opportunity to top up any anti-corrosion paint.
• Tighten up any nuts, bolts and screws that have become loose over the last month and replace all damaged ones.
• Check that the seals around the doors have no cracks and are providing the tight seal necessary for insulation.

It is also highly recommended that you conduct a test of all access control systems during this time as they will require functioning sensors and an emergency stop feature to continue working correctly.

Seasonal Checks

Industrial doors are exposed to changing conditions, temperatures and requirements throughout the year, so follow these seasonal checklists to keep them in good working order all year round.

• Spring: Check that your doors have made it through the winter without any damage by conducting a full in-house inspection and scheduling your professional service as soon as possible.
• Summer: An increase in external temperatures and humidity can cause door seals to become brittle and crack, so inspect them regularly and replace them as soon as cracks begin to appear.
• Autumn: Clear fallen leaves and twigs out of door mechanisms before they can cause damage and prepare them for winter by addressing any issues that will be made worse by the harsh weather and freezing temperatures.
• Winter: Prevent doors from breaking down during the Christmas rush by replacing all worn-out parts, checking the doors’ internal insulation before the cold weather hits, and clearing all snow off the tracks once it arrives.

As we have already mentioned, an annual inspection should be done alongside these checks by an approved party that is authorised to carry out preventive maintenance.

Improve Commercial Door Longevity

Every site has different maintenance requirements and operational needs. Whether you need a one-off service for your high-speed door or a year-round maintenance package for shutters that are in constant use, you can find out more about the industrial door maintenance services on offer from Amber Doors and play a proactive part in improving the longevity of your commercial doors.