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BETTESWORTHConstruction
accessible entrances

In-Ground Automatic Swing Door Operators: Concealed-Floor Design, Specs and Selection

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An in-ground automatic swing-door operator hides its motor, gearbox and control components in a sealed box below the threshold instead of placing an operator above the door. That arrangement preserves an uninterrupted glazed opening and can accommodate doors whose arches, proportions or historic details make overhead hardware visually or physically unsuitable.

The best-known example in the supplied material is the ED400-IG announced in a 2010 Building Design + Construction article. Its dimensions and capacity belong to that article-era product and should not be treated as current specifications. The manufacturer’s current US ED-IG page describes a related in-ground product family with low-energy and full-power configurations, while a separate retrofit kit converts installed ED400-IG operators to ED250-IG units.

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What “concealed in the floor” means

A conventional automatic swing-door operator is usually mounted above the leaf, where its cover, arm and wiring remain visible. An in-ground operator moves the drive assembly into a compartment recessed into the floor and transfers torque to the door pivot. From the room or approach side, the header can remain visually clean, which is especially valuable on frameless or minimally framed glass storefronts.

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The 2010 announcement describes the ED400-IG as placing its electrical and mechanical components in a sealed, floor-installed compartment. Its drive sends energy to the pivot in a rotating motion, producing a consistent opening and closing action, according to that article. The same announcement identified all-glass storefronts and arched, irregular or historically accurate doors as target applications.

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On its current US product page, dormakaba describes the ED-IG as an operator concealed under the threshold. The manufacturer says it is intended for heavy doors where accessibility and a clean architectural appearance must be achieved together. That is promotional manufacturer language, not an independent performance test.

ED400-IG historical figures versus the current ED-IG family

Two sets of dimensions appear in the available material. They describe different product references and dates, so they must not be mixed during design.

Reference What is stated How to use the figure
ED400-IG, Building Design + Construction, Aug. 11, 2010 Floor compartment reported as 32 × 6 × 7 inches; doors reported up to 800 pounds Historical article-era information only; confirm whether a project has an existing unit and obtain current technical documentation before relying on it
ED-IG, current US manufacturer page accessed in 2026 Mounting box stated as 35½ × 5⅞ × 4⅞ inches Current manufacturer-published dimension for planning; verify the exact configuration and revision with the project supplier
ED400-IG-to-ED250-IG retrofit kit Kit listed for installed ED400-IG operators Indicates a retrofit path for existing installations; it does not establish that a new, complete ED400-IG is currently sold

The 800-pound figure is a product capacity claim reported by the 2010 article, not a laboratory result or a universal rating for today’s ED-IG. Door mass, width, height, hinges or pivots, wind exposure and duty cycle can change the required operator selection.

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Operating configurations and integrations

Low-energy operation

The current ED-IG page lists a Low Energy configuration to A156.19. This configuration is the relevant starting point when the project requires controlled, reduced-power movement for pedestrian accessibility. Activation devices, hold-open behavior, closing force and safety sensors still need to be coordinated with the door assembly and the authority having jurisdiction.

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Full-power operation

The same page lists a Full Power configuration to A156.10. Full-power doors generally require a more extensive safety and activation package than low-energy doors. Do not specify the mode from door weight alone; have the operator supplier confirm the complete door, sensor and control arrangement for the site.

Controls, locks and access systems

The 2010 ED400-IG announcement mentions low-energy mode, push-and-go, power close and an interface for a lock. The current ED-IG page lists integration with electrified hardware and access-control systems, plus single- or paired-door applications. These are manufacturer-stated capabilities. Compatibility depends on the lock type, fire and egress strategy, wiring method, access-control panel and the selected operator controls, so require a written compatibility check before ordering.

Wind and exterior applications

The current manufacturer page includes exterior applications and says the software recognizes and compensates for wind loads. Treat that as a manufacturer claim. A designer still needs to account for the building’s pressure zones, prevailing winds, door exposure, drainage and threshold detailing rather than assuming software compensation removes site-specific design work.

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Where an in-ground operator makes sense

  • All-glass storefronts: concealing the operator avoids a visible header box interrupting the glazed elevation.
  • Arched or irregular leaves: a conventional overhead arm may not align with the geometry, while a pivot-mounted drive can follow the door’s rotation.
  • Historically accurate work: keeping new hardware below the threshold can protect the appearance of a period entrance.
  • Heavy exterior doors: the current ED-IG is presented for heavy-door automation, subject to project-specific engineering and configuration.
  • Paired doors: the current product page lists single and paired applications, useful where two leaves share an entrance opening.

The solution is less attractive when the slab cannot be opened, when groundwater or drainage cannot be controlled, or when the threshold zone is too shallow for the required box and service access. Those conditions should be identified before the door and floor package is released.

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How to select the right product path

  1. Identify the installed condition. If there is no existing operator, evaluate the current ED-IG family rather than assuming an ED400-IG can be purchased as a new unit. If an ED400-IG is already installed, ask specifically about the ED400-IG-to-ED250-IG retrofit kit.
  2. Record the door geometry. Document leaf width, height, thickness, mass, pivot locations, glazing build-up, seals and the number of leaves. Include the fully fitted door, not just the bare glass or frame.
  3. Classify the operating mode. Decide whether the opening requires Low Energy A156.19 or Full Power A156.10. The mode affects activation, sensing and safety coordination.
  4. Check the site exposure. Note interior or exterior location, wind, rain, drainage, floor build-up, finished threshold elevation and available service access.
  5. Map the interfaces. List the lock, access-control system, fire-alarm or release requirements, push plates, sensors and any paired-door sequencing. Obtain confirmation that the selected operator and controls communicate correctly.
  6. Request current documents. Ask dormakaba or a qualified commercial automatic-door professional for the installation drawings, wiring diagrams, structural limits, drainage details, maintenance requirements and the exact revision being quoted.

This process prevents a common error: carrying the 2010 ED400-IG compartment or 800-pound statement into a new ED-IG specification without checking the current box, configuration and door conditions.

Typical installation workflow

Exact dimensions and anchorage must come from the current technical documents, but the construction sequence normally follows these stages.

1. Coordinate the opening

Set the pivot axis, clear opening, finished floor levels, threshold, drainage path and adjacent structural elements on one coordinated drawing. For a glazed storefront, coordinate the floor box with the sill, glass pockets and any thermal break before concrete or stone is placed.

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2. Prepare the recess

Form or saw-cut the floor opening to the approved mounting-box dimensions. Protect the recess from water and construction debris. The current ED-IG page states a 35½ × 5⅞ × 4⅞-inch mounting box; use that only for the specified current configuration and allow the manufacturer’s required tolerances and service clearances.

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3. Provide structure and drainage

Support the box so door loads transfer into the intended substrate rather than the finish material. Detail waterproofing, drainage and corrosion protection for the actual exposure. A sealed compartment is not a substitute for a site drainage plan.

4. Install the operator and pivot

Set the operator square to the opening and align the pivot with the door hardware. Verify that the finished floor will not bind the cover or prevent removal for service. Install wiring and conduits in the routes shown by the approved drawings.

5. Hang and adjust the door

Install the leaf or leaves, set clearances and confirm that seals, locks and panic or egress hardware operate freely before power is applied. Paired doors require the specified sequencing and reveal.

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6. Connect controls and safety devices

Terminate activation, presence sensing, lock interfaces and access-control connections according to the operator wiring diagram. For full-power operation, verify every required sensor and monitored safety function; for low-energy operation, verify the prescribed opening and closing behavior.

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7. Commission and document

Test opening, closing, push-and-go if used, power close, lock release, obstruction response, loss of power and any fire or access-control interface. Record the final settings, wiring, service access method and maintenance schedule for the building operator.

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Retrofit considerations for existing ED400-IG installations

The listed ED400-IG-to-ED250-IG kit provides a defined route for an installed ED400-IG, but a kit listing is not proof that every old installation can be converted. Before budgeting, inspect the existing box, pivot, wiring, door mass, corrosion, drainage and available replacement parts. Confirm whether the kit changes controls, sensors, lock interfaces or floor-cover details.

A retrofit survey should also establish the original installation date, current operating mode, fault history and whether the door still meets the building’s accessibility and egress requirements. If the box or surrounding floor has deteriorated, replacement work may be more extensive than swapping the drive assembly.

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Safety, accessibility and maintenance

Automatic operation does not by itself make an entrance compliant. The complete opening—including clear width, threshold, activation, closing behavior, safety sensors, lock release and egress—must be reviewed under the codes and standards adopted for the project. The current manufacturer materials reference A156.19 and A156.10 configurations; the project team should obtain the applicable edition and have the completed installation inspected by the responsible professional.

Because the mechanism is below the threshold, maintenance access must be designed in from the start. Keep the cover removable, prevent grout or sealant from locking it in place, and maintain drainage around the box. A service record should track unusual noise, slow movement, incomplete closing, water intrusion, sensor faults and changes in door weight or hardware.

Common symptoms and sensible checks

  • Door moves slowly or stops: check for floor or seal interference, pivot misalignment, obstruction sensing and changes in wind exposure before increasing force.
  • Door will not close: verify lock status, activation devices, presence sensors and the power-close setting; do not bypass a safety input to force operation.
  • Intermittent faults after rain: inspect drainage, seals, conduit entries and evidence of water in the threshold compartment.
  • Access-control failure: confirm the lock interface voltage, release logic and control-panel programming against the approved wiring diagram.
  • Noise or uneven swing: inspect pivot alignment and door hardware, then have a qualified technician evaluate the operator before continued heavy use.

What is—and is not—established about availability

The current US manufacturer site establishes that an ED-IG in-ground swing-door operator family is listed, with low-energy and full-power options, new-construction and retrofit applications, single or paired doors, electrified-hardware and access-control integration, and exterior-use information. It also lists the ED400-IG-to-ED250-IG retrofit kit.

The available material does not establish current US distributor inventory, pricing, installation cost, a complete new ED400-IG offering or any independent market-adoption statistic. Treat the 2010 article as historical product context and obtain a project-specific quotation and technical review before putting an operator on a construction schedule.

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Decision checklist for a specification meeting

  • Is the project new construction, a renovation, or an existing ED400-IG retrofit?
  • Is the opening single or paired, interior or exterior, glazed or opaque, straight or arched?
  • What are the complete door dimensions and fitted weight?
  • Which operating configuration—Low Energy A156.19 or Full Power A156.10—is required?
  • How will drainage, waterproofing, threshold access and future service be provided?
  • Which locks, sensors, push plates and access-control interfaces must operate together?
  • Which current drawings and product revision govern the installation?
  • Who will commission the opening and retain the maintenance records?

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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