A single- or two-panel sliding door that retracts to one side of the door opening rather than centrally.
Full Definition
An elevator side-opening door (also called a single-slide or two-speed side-slide door) is a powered sliding door system in which all door panels travel in the same lateral direction to retract into a pocket or stack beside the opening, as opposed to a centre-opening system where panels part to both sides. Side-opening configurations are specified when a structural column, wall return, or corridor layout prevents the use of a symmetrical opening, or when the car interior layout benefits from a single-sided wall panel arrangement. In a single-speed side-opening door, both panels (car door and landing door) move at the same velocity; in a two-speed arrangement (2:1 or 3:1 speed ratio), the leading panel travels faster than the trailing panel, allowing a wider clear opening within the same door motor travel. EN 81-20 clause 5.3.9 requires that the clear door opening width and height comply with the accessibility requirements when the door is fully open, and that the door closing force and kinetic energy limits — 150 N and 10 J respectively — are observed throughout the closing stroke. Side-opening door operators are identical in principle to centre-opening operators but use an asymmetric drive cam or belt routing. Sill brush alignment is critical to prevent the door panel leading edge from catching on the car sill groove during high-speed close.
