Durability is one of the key criteria when selecting automatic doors for office buildings, shopping malls, hospitals, and other high-traffic facilities. The number of automatic door opening and closing cycles is often cited as an indicator of a system’s operating performance over time. In practice, the NABCO door system at Cha Ca Gia Nguyen recorded 5,735,905 opening and closing cycles after more than 13 years of use, while the NABCO doors at Viettel Giang Van Minh Building continued to operate reliably after more than 20 years. What do these figures reveal about equipment durability and service life? Let’s explore the evidence and analysis below with Sonha Auto.
What does the number of automatic door opening and closing cycles tell us about durability?
The number of opening and closing cycles is one way to express the operating intensity of automatic doors. Each complete opening and closing sequence may be counted as one cycle, depending on the measurement convention used in the technical documentation or recording device.
If an automatic door system is rated at 5 million cycles, this figure must be interpreted in the context in which it was published. It may represent a test result, a technical specification, or a reference figure for a particular component. Therefore, it is important to determine whether the specification applies to the entire system or only to an individual component before using it to assess durability.
Five million opening and closing cycles do not guarantee that a door will operate for a fixed number of years. Actual performance also depends on door leaf load, motor configuration, installation quality, operating environment, and maintenance practices. Therefore, when evaluating the number of automatic door opening and closing cycles, investors should also examine the testing conditions, scope of applicability, and the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations rather than comparing a single figure in isolation.
How many years of use do 5 million opening and closing cycles represent?
To make this figure easier to understand, we can convert 5 million cycles into a theoretical operating period in years based on the average number of cycles per day.
The calculation uses the following formula:
Operating period (years) = 5,000,000 ÷ number of cycles per day ÷ 365
The table below illustrates the theoretical operating period:
| Cycles per day | Theoretical time to reach 5 million cycles |
| 500 | Approximately 27.4 years |
| 1.000 | Approximately 13.7 years |
| 2.000 | Approximately 6.8 years |
For example, if a door operates at an average of 1,000 cycles per day, the calculation yields approximately 13.7 years to reach 5 million cycles. However, this is a mathematical conversion, not a guarantee of equipment service life.
In practice, pedestrian traffic can vary by day, season, or the operating characteristics of a facility. Doors may also operate under different load conditions and environmental circumstances. As a result, actual service life may differ significantly from the calculated estimate. For a more accurate assessment, the number of automatic door opening and closing cycles should be considered alongside operating history, component condition, maintenance records, and actual site conditions.
Real-world data on automatic door opening and closing cycles from notable projects
One way to assess automatic door durability is to examine equipment performance in actual installations rather than relying solely on published specifications. Below are two notable projects featuring NABCO automatic door systems installed by Sonha Auto, with impressive real-world operating figures.
Cha Ca Gia Nguyen project: More than 5.7 million cycles after over 13 years
The NABCO automatic door system at Cha Ca Gia Nguyen restaurant recorded 5,735,905 opening and closing cycles after more than 13 years of use. This actual operating data exceeds the 5-million-cycle mark and demonstrates the system’s ability to withstand sustained use.
The cycle count recorded by the equipment provides concrete evidence of the operating intensity the door system has experienced. This result also highlights the value of selecting suitable equipment and maintaining it properly throughout its service life.
Viettel Giang Van Minh Building: Reliable operation for more than 20 years
Installed in 2006 at the main lobby of Viettel Giang Van Minh Building in Hanoi, the NABCO automatic sliding door system served the facility for more than 20 years. According to project information, the original doors continued to operate reliably before being replaced as part of a lobby renovation.
The replacement was driven by the need to upgrade the lobby’s architecture and appearance, not by a malfunction requiring repair. Before being replaced during the overall renovation of the lobby, the original doors continued to operate smoothly and reliably. The replacement was undertaken entirely to meet aesthetic upgrade objectives, rather than in response to equipment failure. Notably, the project continued to use NABCO automatic sliding doors for the new system.
How can durability be maintained over millions of opening and closing cycles?
To help an automatic door system reach or exceed millions of operating cycles without major malfunctions, system management and operation should follow these technical principles:
- Select the correct configuration from the outset: Accurately calculate door leaf load, entrance dimensions, and expected pedestrian traffic. Using an undersized or overloaded motor can significantly reduce the equipment’s service life.
- Follow operating instructions: Do not adjust technical settings or interfere with the drive mechanism without the necessary expertise.
- Inspect moving components: Monitor the condition of guide rails, rollers, drive belts, and related components in accordance with technical recommendations.
- Perform periodic maintenance: Establish an inspection schedule based on usage intensity and actual site conditions.
- Keep equipment condition records: Record operating data, maintenance activities, and repairs to support performance assessments and component replacement planning.
These measures help maintain stable operation, detect problems early, and reduce disruptions in areas with frequent pedestrian movement.
>>> See more: Automatic door lifespan: Real-world evidence from millions of opening and closing cycles
Sonha Auto – Automatic door solutions tailored to every project
Automatic door durability depends not only on technical specifications but also on system configuration, installation quality, and maintenance throughout the service life. Therefore, the number of automatic door opening and closing cycles should be evaluated alongside actual operating conditions to provide a comprehensive assessment of long-term performance.
As the official distributor of NABCO automatic doors from Japan in Vietnam, Sonha Auto provides entrance solutions tailored to the needs of each facility and supports customers with installation, maintenance, and technical assistance. The 5,735,905 opening and closing cycles recorded at Cha Ca Gia Nguyen after more than 13 years of use, together with the more than 20 years of reliable operation at Viettel Giang Van Minh Building, are notable real-world examples of NABCO door durability.
Contact Sonha Auto at 0934 546 008 for consultation on NABCO automatic door configurations suitable for your project.
