VISTAMATIC® in Door and Hardware June 2014 Issue

Article written and published in ‘Door and Hardware’ Magazine June 2014 edition. Written by Nona Peterson of Activar. For more information please visit, www.DHI.org. 

Article Title: Privacy and Vision Control Options for Doors

Today more than ever, including glass in swinging doors is a balance between security and creating an open, welcoming space. Vision lites in doors provide two-way visibility between rooms and can be an important life safety feature.

Privacy, light sharing and security are considerations when designing public and commercial buildings such as schools, hospitals, government institutions and office buildings. More privacy options are being developed to meet an increasingly complex set of requirements and facility-specific needs.

Healthcare Settings

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) requires providers and insurers to adopt and implement privacy procedures that secure patient records containing individually identifiable health information so that they are not readily available to those who do not need them. Vision control measures can help healthcare providers meet HIPAA requirements where limiting the observation of consultation, computer and patient records is desired…

Commercial and Institutional Settings

With the trend toward more daylighting, building designs are incorporating additional interior glass, so the need for temporary privacy has been created in spaces like conference and interview rooms. Law enforcement and detention facilities call for privacy options that are designed for heavy-duty use and observation.  For a sophisticated look either for new doors or when replacing existing vision lites, consider switchable glass, privacy glass panels, integrated cordless louvers or integral miniblinds. These offer easy maintenance and adjustable levels of privacy, as well as coordinating sidelites and windows. To add vision control to existing doors, a privacy roller shade is a good option…

Privacy Glass Panels [VISTAMATIC® Vision Panels]

An IGU assembly of three panels that includes a vision blocking element. These can be ordered as a vertically or horizontally controlled unit. As the stripes of opaque or frosted material align with each other, viewing of the opposite side of the panel is enabled. When open, the viewing are is 50 percent of the vision lite. Vision is totally blocked with the opaque film option, allowing only a small amount of light penetration at the sides of the frame.

Benefits: Low maintenance, with few moving parts; hygienic; STC values; coordinating units available for sidelites and windows.

Applications: Medical, education, commercial; can replace existing vision lites or be ordered for new doors.

Options: Operators: handle, ligature-free, knurled knob, two-sided, locking. Colors, custom graphics, panel for dry-erase notes, lead-lined, one-way glass, polycarbonate, fire-rated glazing.

To read the full article, please visit www.DHI.org.