Insulated rapid-closure doors from Efaflex for Green Building certification

PR-Siemens-Kirchheim

PR-Siemens-Kirchheim

PR-Siemens-Kirchheim

PR-Siemens-Kirchheim

In 2004, the European Commission launched the GreenBuilding program. The concept aims to improve energy efficiency and integrate renewable energies into non-residential buildings on a voluntary basis. Siemens AG in Kirchheim unter Teck has committed to sustainable building and has received the Green Building certification for new constructions at the plant.

"We have strict requirements to meet for this certification, such as how much we need to reduce our energy costs," explains Sven Bucher. He is responsible for the construction projects at the plant. "Insulation plays a very significant role. That’s why we decided on Efaflex rapid-acting doors for our new buildings."

Factory buildings have so far been particularly responsible in industrialized nations for high consumption of water, energy, and thus raw materials. With "Green Buildings," the aim is to significantly reduce the burden on people and the environment. Effective "Green Buildings" require careful and systematic planning regarding the materials and components used during construction. The products of the Lower Bavarian specialist for rapid-acting industrial doors meet the planners' criteria due to their high operating speed and especially because of their high thermal insulation. With a U-value according to DIN EN 13241-1 of up to 0.8 W/m²K and an opening speed of up to approximately 4 m/sec, they are market leaders.

The particular challenge in developing the new door leaf slats was to ensure their suitability for high-frequency rapid-acting doors and for as many years of use as possible. Unlike conventional doors, the requirements profile—such as durability, stability, longevity, and torsional stiffness—is significantly more demanding. Efaflex rapid-acting doors, with sizes up to 8000 x 8000 mm, are frequently operated up to 150,000 times per year at speeds of around 4 m/sec.

A total of 25 Efaflex rapid-acting doors are installed at the Kirchheim plant. Some of the doors have also been integrated into existing buildings. The largest door was planned for goods receipt. With a width of 5,000 mm and a height of 4,900 mm, maneuvering semi-trailers and other large vehicles is easily possible.

Doors from Efaflex are also used indoors and in sluice areas of the production halls. They prevent drafts in areas where employees work near doors or in corridors that would cool down significantly with prolonged opening of the doors.

"We are very satisfied with the quality of the doors. And when everything fits with a product, we always try to choose doors from the same manufacturer," says Sven Bucher.

The new generation of rapid spiral doors has been offered for several years and is continuously optimized according to customer wishes. The planners at Siemens Kirchheim appreciate this innovative strength and flexibility. "In our plant, we manufacture resin transformers. Most of our products are highly individual, essentially unique," describes Sven Bucher the connection between their own products and those of the door supplier. The resin transformers produced by Siemens in the Energy Sector/Power Transmission Division, for example, are installed in wind turbines, Transrapid systems, high-rise buildings, ships, and oil platforms.

Transformers have always been built at the Kirchheim site. After the plant was established in 1957, it operated under Trafo-Union in the late 1960s. From October 1, 1987, Siemens took over production. As a leading global provider for energy distribution, the company contributes to sustainable and responsible handling of electrical energy. With a comprehensive portfolio for medium- and low-voltage energy distribution, Siemens enables the implementation of smart grids and lays the foundation for green cities, energy-efficient infrastructure, buildings, and industrial applications.