For over three decades, Dortronics has been the go-to partner for integrators, architects, and facility teams who want one thing above all: a door control system they can trust completely. From its New York–based manufacturing facility, Dortronics builds customizable door control systems that combine simplicity, durability, and speed of delivery, all from a single-source supplier.

The Complications of Multi-Vendor Systems

Most facilities evolve over time, with door control components sourced from multiple manufacturers. Integrators are familiar with the pain points associated with different wiring standards, mismatched control logic, and incompatible components. This results in complex installations, additional costs, and service calls that eat into time and margins.

A single-source supplier takes the complexity out of door control, offering complete, coordinated solutions built for performance and dependability. Whether you need interlocks, switches, maglocks, annunciators, or controllers, every component is designed to work together, reducing installation complexity and minimizing downtime.

A System Designed Around Functionality

Door control is often viewed purely as a technical challenge. In practice, it’s about how spaces are used, how traffic flows, and how safety depends on seamless movement. A single unresponsive door can disrupt workflow and compromise protection. Dortronics designs every system around real-world functionality and the daily demands of those who manage and secure facilities.

• Facility Managers need fast replacement parts and in-stock inventory to prevent delays.
• Security Directors demand reliability and compliance across high-security areas.
• Integrators seek dependable components that won’t disrupt timelines.
• Architects and Specifiers want trusted quality and simplified procurement.
• Lab Managers need precise, reliable controls to protect sensitive environments.

Dortronics builds for every role, backed by responsive U.S.-based support and a reputation for reliability.

Precision Engineering, Made in the USA

Manufacturing in the U.S isn’t a tagline, it’s a strategic advantage. Dortronics engineers and tests every system in New York, ensuring complete oversight over quality and turnaround.

Each product is made in the USA to meet NDAA and BAA compliance standards, giving customers confidence they’re deploying components built to rigorous performance and security standards. This enables faster lead times, easier customization, and quicker adaptation to changing project requirements.

Customization That Moves Fast

No two facilities are the same, and neither are their access needs. That’s why Dortronics offers customizable door systems and off-the-shelf solutions. Some projects demand unique door controls, specialized materials, or aesthetic finishes that blend into architectural design. Others require reliable components immediately to maintain operational continuity.

Dortronics’ in-house engineering team can deliver, providing custom fabrications quickly, without the higher costs or long lead times typical of outsourced or overseas manufacturing.

Built to Handle Challenging Environments

From pharma and biotech labs to industrial production lines, Dortronics door control systems are engineered to handle the most challenging global environments. Cleanrooms demand precision. Chemical plants require durability. Commercial campuses demand scalability.

Across all of these applications, Dortronics door control solutions keep operations compliant, safe, and efficient.

Reducing Risk Through Simplicity

Choosing a single-source supplier not only saves time but also reduces risk. When every component comes from the same manufacturer, there’s no finger-pointing between vendors and fewer opportunities for system failure. It also means integrators and facility teams have a direct line to the engineers who built the products they’re installing.

That simplicity translates into fewer delays, lower service costs, and peace of mind, knowing that the system protecting your facility was designed to work seamlessly.

The Dortronics Difference: Comprehensive Door Control Solutions

In a field where integration and compliance can be complex, Dortronics stands out for making door control straightforward, dependable, and accessible. Every solution reflects a balance of innovation and practicality:

• Made in New York with precise quality control
• Fast, in-stock inventory for immediate availability
• Customizable options for projects with unique specifications
• Comprehensive system integration to streamline deployment

For facilities that can’t afford downtime, Dortronics is more than a vendor. We aim to be your long-term partner in performance.

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The post Simplifying Door Control Systems with a Single-Source Partner appeared first on Dortronics Staging Site 2025.

For years, hands-free access was a convenience feature used to improve customer flow in malls, offices, and airports. That changed when health crises exposed the dangers of high-touch surfaces, forcing businesses to rethink facility safety. Hospitals, cleanrooms, and security-sensitive buildings needed better solutions, but many early touchless systems proved unreliable, with frequent false activations and environmental interference.

Facilities now demand precision, reliability, and seamless integration in their touchless access systems. The Dortronics CleanWave Touchless Switch meets these needs with microwave sensor technology, ensuring accurate detection and fewer operational inefficiencies.

Early Automation: Built for Ease, Not Safety

Touchless access began as a way to improve convenience in retail stores, offices, and transportation hubs. Early motion sensors helped reduce bottlenecks and improve foot traffic flow but were not designed with hygiene or security in mind.

These systems relied on Passive Infrared (PIR) sensors, which detected heat signatures to trigger door openings. While useful in controlled environments, PIR technology often misfired due to temperature shifts, sunlight, and moving objects, making it unreliable for hospitals and labs where precise control is essential.

Despite these shortcomings, these early solutions paved the way for more advanced and reliable touchless technology. As hygiene became a top priority, the demand for smarter access control systems grew rapidly.

The Hygiene Revolution: A Response to Global Health Concerns

Before the pandemic, most people rarely thought about the surfaces they touched. Door handles, elevator buttons, and PIN pads were just part of everyday life. That changed almost overnight as public awareness of surface contamination soared, leaving businesses scrambling to eliminate shared touchpoints wherever possible.

The need for hands-free access became urgent as health concerns spread beyond sterile environments. Offices, schools, and commercial buildings faced growing pressure to adopt touchless solutions that reduced transmission risks while ensuring accessibility. But early solutions, like PIR-based touchless switches, sometimes failed in real-world conditions, triggering false activations and frustrating users.

To meet these challenges, microwave sensor technology emerged as a more precise and adaptable solution. Products like the Dortronics CleanWave Touchless Switch now provide the hygiene benefits facilities need without sacrificing performance.

Advanced Sensor Technology That Works in Real-World Conditions

Not all touchless access solutions offer the same level of precision and reliability. Many outdated systems struggle with false activations, inconsistent performance, and limited adaptability, leading to operational inefficiencies and security risks. Dortronics CleanWave Touchless Switch is designed to eliminate these issues by providing customizable, high-precision access control that adapts to a facility’s unique requirements.

Key features include:

• Adjustable detection range (4-24 inches) for greater control over activation sensitivity.
• Customizable hold times (0.5 to 30 seconds) to allow access time based on the application.
• Anti-corrosive, easy-to-clean thermoplastic faceplate that withstands frequent sanitization.
• IP54-rated design for protection against moisture and dust

Built for healthcare, laboratories, cleanrooms, and high-security facilities, CleanWave’s microwave sensor technology ensures precise activation without false triggers. Its seamless integration with electronic locks, automatic doors, and access control systems makes it the ideal upgrade for businesses seeking a smarter, more dependable touchless access solution.

Touchless Access and Accessibility: Meeting the Needs of All Users

Touchless access is more than a hygiene solution. It plays a critical role in creating barrier-free environments that allow all users to move freely. Traditional door hardware can be difficult to operate for individuals with limited mobility, while push-to-exit buttons still require physical contact. The Dortronics CleanWave Touchless Switch addresses these challenges by providing effortless, hands-free entry that improves accessibility and ensures compliance.

Here’s how CleanWave improves accessibility:

• No-touch operation ensures seamless access for individuals using wheelchairs, mobility aids, or carrying heavy items.
• Bold text and symbols (“Wave to Open,” hand logo) improve visibility and usability.
• Adjustable detection range prevents accidental activations while ensuring reliable performance.
• ADA-compliant design meets global accessibility standards, making it suitable for public buildings, hospitals, and workplaces.

The CleanWave Touchless Switch sets a new standard in touchless access, combining hygiene, security, and accessibility to create a safer, more inclusive environment for all users.

The Future of Touchless Access: Smarter, Safer, and More Adaptive

Touchless access control has evolved from a simple convenience to a critical part of modern facility management. Businesses that continue to rely on outdated systems face increased security risks, higher maintenance costs, and operational inefficiencies that slow down workflows. False activations and unreliable sensors disrupt daily operations, creating unnecessary obstacles in high-traffic areas. Facilities need smarter, more adaptable solutions that function reliably in all conditions.

The Dortronics CleanWave Touchless Switch is built for the future of intelligent access control. With precise microwave sensor technology, customizable settings, and seamless security integration, CleanWave provides a touchless access solution that meets the needs of hygiene-conscious, high-security, and accessibility-focused environments.

Facility managers, architects, and security professionals looking to enhance hygiene, improve accessibility, and streamline operations can now rely on a system designed for long-term performance.

Upgrade to CleanWave today for smarter, safer, and more reliable touchless access.

The post The Evolution of Touchless Access: From Convenience to Necessity appeared first on Dortronics Staging Site 2025.

This blog will outline both the common and often-overlooked risks to healthcare facilities while revealing effective strategies and innovative door control solutions designed to fortify healthcare security.

Risk: Workplace Violence

The risk of physical and verbal violence against healthcare workers is one that is well documented. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), workers in healthcare settings are four times more likely to be victimized than workers in private industry. And while most incidents of workplace violence in healthcare are verbal in nature, other incidents involve assault, battery, domestic violence, stalking, and sexual harassment.

Unfortunately, the most common type of violence in healthcare is patient/visitor on employee violence. Research shows that this type of violence occurs most frequently in emergency and psychiatric treatment settings, increasing the need for security solutions in these spaces.

Mitigation Tactic: Panic Buttons and Keyed Lockdown Solutions

Panic buttons are a versatile, discreet solution that delivers peace of mind to healthcare staff. When utilized in an emergency scenario, such as a physical altercation, staff can press the button to perform a number of safety functions including emergency release of electric door locks, request for backup, or location-based alerts. In some cases, panic buttons can be integrated with healthcare access control systems, enabling a coordinated response with other security measures. In this way, staff receive immediate help during times of duress. Keyed emergency lockdown buttons also offer a secure solution for emergency exit door releases or panic/alarm activation. Once pushed, the button automatically latches requiring the use of a key to reset, ensuring a security response to the area.

Risk: Newborn Abductions

According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), the frequency of infant abductions by nonfamily members at healthcare facilities is estimated to be 12 to 18 infants each year. Based on NCMEC data from 1997 to 2016, 66% of abducted infants were taken from a healthcare facility. Abductors are likely to target hospitals due to the inherent chaos within hospital environments that often makes it easier for them to go unnoticed. And while newborn/infant identification bracelets and ID checks are commonly used to help prevent such occurrences, they are unfortunately not enough to stop a determined abductor.

Mitigation Tactic: Delayed Egress Solutions

Delayed egress systems provide an opportunity to slow or thwart abductors when an attempted abduction has been made. With a delayed egress system, an irreversible alarm sounds and a timed countdown can begin as soon as someone attempts to operate an exit device or push open a door equipped with a delayed egress locking mechanism. When unauthorized individuals attempt to leave, they unknowingly activate an alarm and are delayed from leaving 15 to 30 seconds before the door can be opened. This provides personnel with the vital time to identify the child as well as the individual attempting to exit.

Risk: Pharmaceutical Theft

The theft of medications, life-saving drugs, and prescriptions are common in hospitals and can be committed at any level, either by visitors, patients, or staff. Not only is this a healthcare liability, but it also puts other patients at risk. For example, a study conducted by the Mayo Clinic found that healthcare workers who steal drugs frequently tamper with medications, leaving them contaminated. Because of this kind of drug theft and tampering, as many as 28,000 hospital patients were put at risk of contracting Hepatitis C over a 10-year period. This is just one small example of how the theft of pharmaceuticals in healthcare has far reaching, often unseen impacts.

Mitigation Tactic: Compact Magnetic Locks

Compact maglocks offer a reliable anti-theft solution for cabinets and drawers where pharmaceuticals are stored. Creating 300 pounds of direct holding force, a Dortronics Mini-Mite offers protection for cabinets and drawers much in the same way that larger maglocks secure standard doors. Mini-Mites are capable of being controlled individually, sequentially, or simultaneously from one or several locations. In this way, access to certain drugs can be limited based on application, job title, type, quantity, and more.

Risk: Diagnostic Interference

MRIs, X-Rays, CT scans, and other diagnostics are traditionally performed in protected areas within hospitals and healthcare facilities. Unauthorized access  to areas where these devices are in use presents both a safety and health risk that can lead to possible radiation exposure, inaccurate test results, and potential equipment damage. Some diagnostic machines will even store patient data and images electronically, making unauthorized access a potential HIPAA violation.

Mitigation Tactic: Door Interlock/Mantrap Systems

The high regulation and health risks that come with diagnostic machinery requires strict access controls, such as a door interlock system. A door interlock system ensures that one door remains locked while the other is open, preventing any unauthorized or accidental entries in a two-door configuration. Dual access controls also limit unauthorized access by requiring authentication at both the first and second door, ensuring that only healthcare professionals and accompanying patients can access the diagnostic room. For diagnostic testing involving sensitive or intimate procedures, such as imaging or biopsies, a door interlock system enhances patient privacy and dignity.

The risks and proposed solutions outlined above just scratch the surface of how smart door control solutions can effectively mitigate risk in healthcare environments. Other potential solutions include the use of touchless switches for the healthful reduction in touch-surfaces and the use of double or triple vertically mounted maglocks for the ultimate defense against unauthorized entry or egress.

At Dortronics, our team of door control specialists understand the unique risks that healthcare facilities face and can help you select the door control solutions that best meet your healthcare facility’s needs. As a leading designer and manufacturer of electronic locking solutions proudly made in the U.S.A., Dortronics experienced team is available to provide personal assistance – down to the design and manufacturing of custom healthcare door control solutions.

Contact us to get started, or browse our interactive Medical Campus to discover how our comprehensive range of door control solutions can help better protect your healthcare facility.

The post Enhancing Healthcare Security with Door Control Solutions appeared first on Dortronics Staging Site 2025.

Given the critical nature of clean rooms, any contamination event in one of these industries can have severe consequences. It can lead to costly shutdowns, extensive cleaning and decontamination procedures, and delays in production or research timelines. Not only does this result in financial setbacks, but it can also damage the reputation of companies and institutions.

Therefore, meticulous attention is given to the design, construction, and maintenance of clean rooms. Door control technology plays a critical role in maintaining the cleanliness of clean rooms by effectively monitoring and controlling clean room entry and egress. These solutions work together with additional clean room technologies to minimize the introduction of contaminants into the controlled environment by ensuring proper airflow management and preventing unwanted substances from entering.

The following selection of door control solutions are uniquely designed to ensure that clean rooms stay clean under a variety of circumstances:

Door Interlock Controllers: Clean room doors and airlocks can be equipped with interlocking controls that prevent two or more doors from being open simultaneously. This ensures that there is no direct path for unfiltered air to flow back into the clean room. Built-in “pause” functions can be used to cause the system to lock all doors for a designated period of time after any door has been open, for the purpose of maintaining desired air conditions such as pressure equalization.

Air Purge Sequence: Some clean room doors are designed with specialized seals and gaskets to provide an airtight barrier when closed. These seals help prevent the migration of particles, contaminants, and microorganisms through gaps or openings around the door. In these cases, door interlock controllers should allow for an automatic air purge sequence. With this air purge sequence, the door gaskets will inflate automatically after closing to ensure that all doors are effectively sealed.

Touchless Door Control Solutions: Doors handles, bars, and knobs provide vulnerable surfaces for particle transmission. Touchless door control solutions, such as wave to exit and motion sensor door releases are ideal for cleanroom environments that necessitate hands-free unobstructed door release.

Waterproof Switches: A common protocol of the clean room decontamination cleaning process is to spray down the room with water or other disinfectant. In this case, durable, waterproof switches ensure continuous door entry and egress functions. Many waterproof push buttons are designed for this exact use case, rated to a sealing degree of IP65 and protected against water sprayed from a nozzle in any direction.

Audio/Visual Alarms: For any clean room to be effective, it’s imperative that some form of notification is issued in the event of a breach or loss of required operational parameters. Door Annunciators, LED indicators, and door prop alarms form a comprehensive system that will alert when doors are left open for a pre-determined time period, or if there is a sudden change in air pressure differentials. These alarms help to swiftly identify and rectify any deviations from the desired clean room conditions.

Access Control: Last, but certainly not least, managing access control for clean rooms is essential. Access control systems ensure that only authorized personnel can enter the clean room, reducing the risk of contamination by restricting access to authorized personnel who follow proper clean room protocols. Access control can also play a role in regulating the number of workers who enter and or exit the clean room at a given time, thus minimizing the disruption to the controlled environment.

By utilizing these solutions alone or in combination, clean rooms can maintain necessary air pressure differentials, control airflow, and mitigate the risks of contamination. At Dortronics, our team of door control specialists can help you select the door control solutions that best meet your clean room needs. As a leading designer and manufacturer of electronic locking solutions proudly made in the U.S.A., Dortronics’ experienced team is available to provide personal assistance – including the design and manufacture of a custom clean room door control solution.

Contact us to get started!

The post How Door Control Technology Helps Clean Rooms Stay Clean appeared first on Dortronics Staging Site 2025.

The most pervasive physical security solution is to keep cannabis facilities, products, and cash locked down using an access control system as the first line of defense. But not all access control systems are created equal.

Only a door interlock system can do what traditional physical access control systems (PACS) cannot to protect cannabis profits, people, and product. In this blog we will answer the who, what, when, where, why, and how of door interlock systems for a better understanding of their importance when it comes to maintaining cannabis security.

Who: Cannabis Facility Owners and Managers

While the execution of a cannabis security plan can be outsourced to a cannabis security company or cannabis security consultant, the ultimate responsibility of cannabis facility security lies with the facility owner. After all, failure to comply with cannabis security regulations come with high costs ranging from costly fines to loss of license. Cannabis security managers are also the ones charged with ensuring all cannabis security operations comply with local and state standards. This includes working with trusted vendors to create a strong physical security plan that keeps people and product safe.

By understanding the important role door interlock systems play in a comprehensive cannabis security plan, cannabis facility owners and mangers are in a better position to carry out their respective duties.

What: Programmable Door Interlock Systems

Perhaps the most essential aspect of cannabis business operations is also the most precarious – customer interaction and access to product/cash storage areas. This earmarks access control as a primary priority when implementing physical security measures. Fortunately, there is more door technology on the market today than ever before, including advanced programmable door interlock systems (often called mantraps), which provide very high levels of security. Door interlock systems provide cannabis facilities with a unique form of protection for both customers and employees that is not afforded by conventional access control systems.

In its simplest form, a door interlock system is composed of two doors electronically connected so one cannot open until the other has closed. For cannabis facilities, a mantrap provides highly controlled access to an interior vestibule, where customers and/or employees can be screened automatically or by a security guard before entering the facility. Access is only allowed when the exterior door is closed, preventing tailgating of unauthorized individuals.

When: 24/7/365

The best cannabis security system is one that works around the clock with minimal to no oversight. Door interlock systems are no different and are available with various modes of functionality for complete customization based on time, staffing restrictions, and more. For example, cannabis facilities with a high amount of pedestrian traffic in the morning and late afternoon may want two doors operating during these time periods with the ability to switch to a single door utilizing a key switch during midday or evening hours. Intercom systems can also be added to door interlock systems to allow communications between the individuals inside the “mantrap” and a facility greeter or security guard controlling the system. This kind of setup is especially ideal for securing cannabis dispensaries that need to safeguard against underage access.

In an emergency, the door interlock system also must enable people to evacuate the facility. For example, if the power fails, an emergency override would ensure that the door can be opened manually. Moreover, safety codes may require that the door interlock systems be integrated with the facility’s fire alarm control panel to allow emergency door release. A local emergency pull station may also be required to allow doors to be unlocked in non-fire alarm emergencies or to interface the system with NFPA 101 delayed egress controls. In every case, local compliance mandates must be carefully adhered to when designing a door interlock system for your facility.

Where: Interior and Exterior Access Points

The great thing about door interlock systems is that they are completely customizable based on the facility’s layout and specific needs. For retail locations, a secure entry vestibule solution may be employed. When individual(s) in the interlocked area are approved, the outer door remains  locked utilizing an electromagnetic lock or electric strike and the individuals can proceed through the inner door. Conversely, if an individual is deemed suspicious or otherwise unfit for entry, an alert can be sounded, and the inner door will remain locked and the outer door will unlock allowing the potential threat to exit the building. This effectively prevents potential problems from escalating inside the facility.

A Secure Entry Vestibule is also an effective solution for employee entrances. An electronic access system controls entry from the outside into the mantrap. Unlocking the entry door will lock the interior door of the Secure Entry Vestibule. Once the exterior door is re-secured, the interior door is unlocked to allow access into the facility. Any number of locking and unlocking configurations can be deployed to best accommodate employee traffic flow using a programmable door interlock controller.

The highest level of security is provided with a Restricted Entry & Exit System, where all doors are normally locked, a door is unlocked by a request for access only if no other related doors are unsecured. Opening any one door keeps all other related doors locked. Restricted Entry & Exit Systems will buffer simultaneous requests for access to prevent two or more doors from being unlocked at the same time. Traffic lights are often utilized to signal when a door is locked or unlocked. This door interlock system configuration is most appropriate for securing the interior of cannabis facilities where inventory is stored and cash areas are located.

When it comes to securing cannabis distribution facilities, sally ports can be deployed to control vehicular entry/egress using any combination of overhead doors, gates, or bollards.

Why: To Protect Product, People, and Profits

Maintaining compliance with local and national cannabis regulations are a huge part of cannabis security. And while video surveillance and access control systems may be required under law to safeguard a cannabis facility, these solutions do little to proactively deter and prevent crime.

A door interlock system provides proven protection from the cannabis industry’s most common risks: burglary, break-ins, underage entry, employee theft, and more.  Use door interlock systems in tandem with traditional access control systems in areas where additional security is required. When coupled with access control, surveillance, and other security solutions, door interlock systems provide a high-tech gauntlet that is difficult for any security offender to overcome. These systems are easy to install and make use of existing door infrastructure to ensure physical security measures are consistently enforced.

How: Dortronics Door Interlock Systems

Working with a reputable manufacturer and system installer ensures you will get the ease of operation and specific door interlock capabilities and compliance you need, along with high-quality customer support and service. As a leading designer and manufacturer of electronic locking solutions proudly made in the U.S.A., Dortronics experienced team can provide personal assistance to help you design the door interlock system that best meets your specific needs.

Contact us today to get started!

The post What You Need to Know About Access Control for the Cannabis Industry appeared first on Dortronics Staging Site 2025.