Recent attention to security issues and rising maintenance costs have drawn fire departments to look at the advantages of EPD folding doors versus using overhead sectional doors.

Expensive damage to vehicles and overhead sectional doors often occurs during the normal fast-paced action whenever pre-occupied vehicle drivers are not able to see the lower door edge of the door after it raises above the windshield line. They often anticipate the speed of the door leaving or entering the station before the door is fully open.

• EPD Four-Fold Doors are always in view of the driver, to eliminate "clipping" of emergency equipment that happens when overhead doors are used.

EPD's four-fold and bi-fold doors reduce the likelihood of damage by rapidly moving the door panels in a horizontal direction. This sideways motion along with quick two-feet-per-second opening and closing speeds keep the door panels in the sight-line of the driver at all times, thus reducing the chances of damage.

EPD's four-fold doors are becoming more popular because of their durability, longevity and low maintenance requirements.

• One case study performed by a fire department reported that service and maintenance costs on two overhead sectional doors at one station was over $7,000 during a one year period. Six of EPD's four-fold doors at the same station had no service and maintenance costs during the same time period.
  
• Another Fire Department reported paying $380,000 per year for service and maintenance on overhead doors at all of their facilities. They said EPD Four-Fold Doors were going to be purchased on all future fire stations.

EPD Four-Fold Doors hold up to high wind loads, and can be designed to withstand natural disasters like hurricanes or earthquakes. Whenever there is a loss of power the doors can be manually operated. Manual operation is quick and the doors can be easily opened or closed without the use of tools.

Control Options include (a number of control operations can be combined as required):

• Radio controls
• Remote operation
• Automatic timed closing
• Multiple door operation from a single control station
• Master control panels
• Alarm activated
• 911 alert activation

EPD Model 41, Glazed Four-Fold Doors
Providing an Arched Effect
Washington, D.C.

EPD Oak Clad Model 49, Four-Fold Doors
Designed to compliment the building design
City of Industry, Los Angeles County Fire Department

EPD Oak Clad Model 49, Four-Fold
Fire Station Doors with vision lights.

A total of 8 doors, sized 15' X 16'
were installed in 1991.
Hollywood, California

EPD Model 46, Four-Fold Door
with a Swinging Personnel Door
Arapahoe County Jail, Denver, Colorado

Hollywood, California Fire Station
Oak Clad Four-Fold Door

EPD Model 41, Four-Fold Doors
Matched the building design
on the Glendale Fire Station